Chapter 1: Political authority (key facts and stats)

Question 1

When was German unification?

Answer 1

1871

Question 2

What percentage of the Reich was made up of Prussia?
How much land did Prussia control?

Answer 2

60%
- controlled two thirds of the land

Question 3

What type of state was the new Germany?

Answer 3

federal state
(states retain their sovereignty over internal affairs)

Question 4

How many votes did Prussia have in the Bunderstrat?

Answer 4

17 out of 58 votes
(Bavaria was second highest with 6 votes)

Question 5

Key aspects of the Kaisers role in the constitution

Answer 5

• hereditary monach
• could call/dissolve the Reichstag
• directly commanded the army
• controlled **foreign policy **(right to make treaties and declare war)
• devised policies and laws with the chancellor, ministers and bunderstrat
• controls the executive and civil service

Question 6

Key aspects of the Chancellors role in the constitution

Answer 6

• appointed and dismissed by the kaiser alone
• not required to take the Reichstag views into account (could ask the kaiser to dissolve the Reichstag)

Question 7

Key aspects of the Reichstags role in the constitution

lower house

Answer 7

• members are elected by males over 25 years(every 3 years)
• could question, debate, agree to or reject a law
  * COULD NOT amend a law
• could not demand the dismisal of the chancellor or other ministers

Question 8

Key aspects of the Bunderstrats role in the constitution

Answer 8

• 58 representives from 25 state governments
• could initiate legislation - could veto all legislation except a budget approved by the Reichstag
• had to approve new laws (allow with Reichstag, chancellor and kaiser)

Question 9

What were the special prerogatives of the Kaiser?

Answer 9

• right to declare war or martial law in an emergency
• head of the armed forces

Question 10

Who were the national liberals and what were their main beliefs ?

founded 1867

Answer 10

protestant middle classes - wealthy, educated men
* support** german unification**
* favour free trade
* free speech and freedom of press
* low tax and less government involvement
* BUT also** nationalistic** and want a strong and unified Germany

Question 11

Who were the centre party and what were their main beliefs ?

founded 1870

Answer 11

German catholics
* support a unified Germany but want a less centralised government
* want the catholic church to have more autonomy
* conservative values
* liberal attitude to social reform

Question 12

Who were the social democratic party (SPD) and what were their main beliefs?

founded 1875

Answer 12

working classes and trade unions
* want progressive change - break down the class system
* higher taxes on wealthy
* want government to provide** welfare reforms and social security**
* freedom for the press and unions

Question 13

Who were the Conservatives and what were their main beliefs?

founded 1876

Answer 13

protestant and aristocratic Prussian Junker landowners
* want to maintain traditional power structures and class system
* afraid of socialism and democracy
* hated the reichstag (due to universal suffrage)