Chapter 1: Political authority (key facts and stats) Flashcards
When was German unification?
1871
What percentage of the Reich was made up of Prussia?
How much land did Prussia control?
60%
- controlled two thirds of the land
What type of state was the new Germany?
federal state
(states retain their sovereignty over internal affairs)
How many votes did Prussia have in the Bunderstrat?
17 out of 58 votes
(Bavaria was second highest with 6 votes)
Key aspects of the Kaisers role in the constitution
- 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
Key aspects of the Chancellors role in the constitution
- appointed and dismissed by the kaiser alone
- not required to take the Reichstag views into account (could ask the kaiser to dissolve the Reichstag)
Key aspects of the Reichstags role in the constitution
lower house
- 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
Key aspects of the Bunderstrats role in the constitution
- 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)
What were the special prerogatives of the Kaiser?
- right to declare war or martial law in an emergency
- head of the armed forces
Who were the national liberals and what were their main beliefs ?
founded 1867
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
Who were the centre party and what were their main beliefs ?
founded 1870
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
Who were the social democratic party (SPD) and what were their main beliefs?
founded 1875
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
Who were the Conservatives and what were their main beliefs?
founded 1876
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)
