Economic Factors Flashcards
What was one of the first things that Kaiser Wilhelm II did in 1888 on coming to power?
He ordered a restructuring of the navy’s administration to try and improve efficiency but the navy stagnated and declined by 1895
Why did Kaiser Wilhelm II want heavy investment in the navy in 1897?
It was only the 7th most powerful in the world
Why was investment in the navy preferable over the army in the late 1890s?
Because the army was dominated by Prussian Junkers and hadn’t changed since 1871 and also was divisive amongst the Southern States whereas the new navy wouldn’t carry any baggage of unification
In 1897 who did the Kaiser appoint and what did he do?
He appointed Admiral Tirpitz as Secretary of State for the Navy who established the Navy League
In 1897 what was the Navy League?
A pressure group set up by Admiral Tirpitz which carried out a press campaign to gain support for the naval expension
What did Tirpitz introduce in 1898?
A bill to introduce 17 ships over 7 years which was passed by 212 to 139 votes
Why was another bill introduced in 1900?
Because Admiral Tirpitz was not content with 17 ships and he wanted more so another bill was sent to the Reichstag to increase ship building further.
How many ships did Germany have in 1900?
36
When were more naval bills passed in Germany?
1906, 1908 and 1912
What was known as the Naval Race against Britain?
Naval bills were passed in 1906, 1908 and 1912 to increase the number of ships in the German navy, but also ensure that Germany led the way in terms of technology
What was the Dreadnought battleship?
A ship made by Britain in 1905 which was the most powerful ship of the time
In what year did the campaign for protective tariffs reach a peak and what was it in response to?
1879 and in response to a slowdown in the German economy that had occurred during the 1870s
What year did the German economy collapse and why?
1873 because 150 companies went bankrupt as they had been set up too quickly and weren’t sustainable
Why did Bismark want to pass a bill on tariffs in 1876?
Because tariffs were used to protect agriculture and maintain wealth of farms, and it would ensure his wealth as farms were owned by Junkers.
But bill was defeated in the Reichstag
How did Bismark use the issue of tariffs in 1878?
To campaign openly against the National Liberals who believed in free trade
When did the Reichstag pass the protective tariff law?
1879
Who backed the 1879 protective tariff law?
Reichstag passed it, backed by the Centre party and two Conservative parties
In 1963 West Germany was the strongest economic power in Europe but how big was it in Europe?
Third biggest
What was the Marshall Plan in Germany?
Germany received 99 million dollars that was used to develop coal mining, railway and electrical industries.
It already had considerable number of factories and a large population of skilled workers
How much did West Germanys GDP grow by in 5 years after the war?
12% helped by a cooperative union sector who restricted wage rises
What was “co-determinism” in 1951 and why was it a good thing?
Businesses with over 1000 employees in the iron and steel industry had to allow representatives of the workforce to have a say in the running of the businesses.
Meant more job satisfaction and less anger
What was established in 1952 which facilitated discussions between employers and employees which helped improved relations in the workplace?
The Works Council
By what year was there near full employment post war in West Germany?
1958
What did the Marshall plan promise and what did it provide?
Promised economic aid to Europe.
Provided 17$ billion to West European countries including West Germany
When did the Marshall Plan come into being?
5th June 1947
Who is the Marshall Plan named after?
Secretary of State George Marshall
How did President Truman get involved on 12th June 1947?
He announced his infamous doctrine which said the USA would provide military and economic assistance to “free peoples” struggling against communism