GCSE POD - The Growth Of Parliamentary Government Flashcards
What happened 15th June 1888 in Germany
Wilhelm II became Kaiser aged 29
How old was Wilhelm II when he became Kaiser
29 years old
When did Wilhelm II become kaiser
15th June 1888
What does the German word “Kaiser” mean
Emperor
Kaiser Wilhelm II was the __th King of Prussia and the ___rd Emperor of Germany
Kaiser Wilhelm II was the 9th King of Prussia and the 3rd Emperor of Germany
When has Germany been formally unified
1871
What did Germany look like before 1871
Before it was unified in 1871, Germany was made up of several independent states the majority belonging to Prussian and Austrian empire
Which 2 empires owned most of the states in Germany before it was unified in 1871
-Prussian empire
-Austrian empire
What type of ruler was Kaiser Wilhelm II
Autocratic monarch
What is an autocratic monarch
Someone who believes only one person should be in charge and doesn’t believe in having a government, etc dictatorship
True or False:
The Kaiser had full authority of the states in Germany after the German constitution was signed to unify the states in 1871
True
What is the upper legislative house that signed the German constitution in 1871
Bundensrat
What was the Bundesrat made up of
Representatives from germanys state government that were appointed to their position and not elected
What was the lower house called that signed the German constitution in 1871 to unify the states
Reichstag
Who did the reichstag represent
The public
How were people given positions in the reichstag in 1871
Universal male suffrage
- meaning all male citizens could vote
What does universal male suffrage mean
All men can vote
True or False: The power of the vote in the Reichstag was not limited in 1871
False it was limited
When a bill was passed in the Reichstag what would happen next
It would have to be passed by the bundesrat before it could be turned into a law
Who dominated the bundesrat
The upper class
Laws passed in the bundesrat often favoured the rich
True because it was severely populated by the upper class
Who would support the kaiser
His chancellor
In 1871 who would appoint the chancellor
The kaiser
True or False: The kasier was very powerful
True
Was Kaiser Wilhelm II a socialist or capitalist
Capitalist
What did kaiser Wilhelm II support
Militarism
Capitalism
Imperialism
By the kasier supporting militarism and imperialism what did this mean
He wanted to have a large army and extend his influence into other countries
How did Kaiser Wilhelm II attempt to preserve his autocratic powers + extend them
- Broke off ties with Chancellor Otto Von Bishmarck
- appointed several chancellors (like obedient servants)
What issues did Kaiser Wilhelm II face when trying to preserve his autocratic powers + extend them
- rapid industrialisation
- focus on foreign policy
- hard to establish a program of social reform that wouldn’t upset working class
Why did Kaiser Wilhelm II face issues when trying to preserve his autocratic powers + extend them
- his government was conservative and full of upper class men dominated by junkers
What is a junker
A wealthy landed class
Why did junkers not agree with the kaiser when trying to preserve his autocratic powers + extend them
- they didn’t represent the workers or the urban issues the working class faced
When did the social Democratic Party begin to gain popularity
1900
What party is the SPD
Social Democratic Party
What is the SPD
- a socialist party based upon Marxist policies
- actively prioritised and worked on the needs for the working class
Which party causes concern for ruling elite and rich industrialists
SPD (social Democratic Party)
Which party did working class men in urban areas turn to for answers to their problems at the face of industrial boom
SPD (social Democratic Party)
How did the kaiser tackle the SPD’s rising popularity
Tactical socialist policies + focus on nationalism which defeated them in elections in 1907
What year did the kaiser ensure the SPD was defeated in elections
1907
What year was vote casted in favour of SPD
1912
Which party claimed the most votes in 1912 to become the largest party in the Reichstag
SPD (social Democratic Party)
What reasons was the kaiser forced to respond to criticism
- political participation growing
Most notable in trade union movement
