Germany. Flashcards
Describe the characteristics fo Kaiser Wilhelm
Kaiser appointed the chancellor and other officials, no decision were to be made without his agreement.
However he did not govern consistently, he was moody and unstable and had violent rages.
Under Kaiser Wilhem II what was Germany becoming?
Leadin industrial power, Kaiser wanted to expand its power and influence even more
What did the growth of parliamentary government lead to?
It developed, there were several major political parties, none had a majority so governments were coalitions.
What were right wing parties keen to do?
Were strong and keen to expand the German Empire.
Did support for left wing parties grow?
Yes, they were gaining support from the inceasing number of industrial workers.
Describe the idea of prussian militarism.
One of the 25 states Prussia, was more powerful than the others.
It has 2/3 of the population and half the territory, some of the other states felt powerless to influence German policy.
By 1914 how was Germany becoming more industrialised and richer?
1914, Germany led the world in chemical and steel industries.
For example it produced twice as much steel as Britian.
Produced 1/3 of the worlds electrical goods.
Popualtion rapidly growing from 40 million in 1871 to 68 million in 1914
Provided manpower for growing industries.
Why did food imports increase in 1914
Farmers could not supply all the food needed by growing popualation.
How was society like in Germany in 1914
Traditional both in rural and city areas.
Many were conservative in their political views.
For example they expected the upper class to rule.
In 1914 what happened to the socialists?
The socialist movement grew, supported by industrial workers who wanted to reform
Governments tried to meet workers demands by introducing pensions and sickness insuarance schemes.
How many seats did Left wing social democrat party have in 1912?
It had increased
30% of seats in reichstag
What did the Prussian army do the Kaiser?
Swear obedience
What did Kaiser Wilhelm II want to do to its navy?
Expand navy to match the British navy.
What does it mean by navy laws?
Allowed the building of many more battle ships.
Kaiser wanted Germany to have an overseas empire as France and Britian both had.
Led to an international crises in the years leading up to 1914, and was one of the causes of the First world war.
Describe Germany in 1918 after war
German people were suffering from war weariness
What were living standards like in Germany 1918 after the war
Living standards were low, especialling in cities.
Food and fuel shortages and major flu epidmemic swept the country.
600,000 widows and 2 million children without fathers.
Economically what was Germany like in 1918 after the war
Virtually bankrupt, industrial production was only two-thirds of what it had been in 1913.
Much of that was geared towards fighting the war.
During the war what happened to society in Germany.
Divisions in society had deepended, wiht huge differences in living standards between rich and poor.
After the war why did support for left wing parties increase?
War shortages, sufferinf and inequality boosted support for left wing who wanted to overthrow the Kaisers governement.
Why did the Kaiser abdicate?
When the allies counter attacked in August 1918 it was clear that Germany was losing war.
Riots by German sailors at Kiel and among German workers.
The socialists who were left wingers who hated the Kaisers rule led uprisings in ports and cities. A socialist republic was declared in Bavaria.
9th November Kaiser fled to the Netherlands and abdicated
On 11th November representatives of Social democrat party led by Freidrich Ebert signed the armistice.
Who was Friedrich Ebert?
Became leader of new German Republic becasue he was leader of the largest political party in the reichstag.
A new constituion was drawn up quickly which made Germany much more democratic than under the Kaiser.
What is a president?
The head of state
Elected by the people every 7 years
What is chancellor?
Prime minister
Chosen from the Reichstag by the president but must have Reichstag support.
What is the reichstag?
The parliament
Elected by the people by proportional representation, each party gets the same proportion of seats as they get votes
