Germany Booklet 1 Flashcards
How many states did the German Confederation consist of?
39
What was the name of the economic agreement created by Prussia which Austria didn’t join?
Zollverein
When were the wars of unification?
1864
1866
1870-71
What was the biggest problem facing the new unified Germany?
Each state valued its independence and often had strong regional identities, some states even had their own king
The different states were also divided along religious lines, the catholic area of Bavaria had a very different outlook and values from the protestant Prussia
Which issue led to the war between Prussia and Austria in 1866?
The issue of leadership in Schleswig-Holstein, Prussia was administering Schleswig and Austria in Holstein
What was the Schleswig-Holstein issue?
There was a disagreement on who to make the king of Denmark as the ones the Prussians wanted would incorporate Schleswig into Prussia not Denmark. War ensued in 1864 and the Austrians and Prussians invaded Denmark and won within months
How long was the war between Austria and Prussia?
7 weeks
Which was the largest battle in the Austro-Prussian war?
Koniggratz
Which treaty led to the creation of the German State?
Treaty of Prague, August 1866
Which states remained independent after the Treaty of Prague?
Bavaria, Wurttemberg, Baden and Hesse-Darmstedt
Why did the Franco-Prussian war start?
Disagreements over if a Prussian could take the Spanish throne
What did Prussia take after the Franco-Prussian war?
Alsace Lorraine, and £200,000 as compensation for the war
What powers did the Kaiser have?
Could dissolve the Reichstag
Controlled foreign policy and armed forces
Appointed/Dismissed government
What powers did the reichstag have?
Could agree/reject laws proposed by Kaiser/Government
Main power was control over budget
Elected every 5 years and members not paid
What powers did the Chancellors and other ministers have?
Appointed/Dismissed by Kaiser
Proposed new laws to the reichstag
Chaired sessions of the bundesrat
What powers did the bundesrat have?
Had 58 members nominated by state Landers
17 members were from Prussia, 6 from Bavaria, smaller states had just 1 each
Could veto legislation passed by the reichstag
Who could vote in Germany at the time?
Men over 25 could vote in the Reichstag every 5 years
What were the major political parties at this time?
National Liberals
Centre Party
SAPD
German Conservative Party
The Progressives
What portion of the new German population was Catholic?
1/3
When was a single German flag finally created?
1892
Which four states made up the German army?
Prussia, Bavaria, Saxony and Wurttemberg
Why did Bismarck allow democracy?
He believed that allowing Germans a democratic vote would minimise the impact of more liberal influences and encourage the continued support for the monarchy
How did Bismarck limit the power of the Reichstag?
Reichstag members received no payment
Reichstag could vote on all legislation but not initiate any
Allowed the bundesrat to veto all legislation from the reichstag
The Kaiser could dissolve the Reichstag if he wanted to
What did the National Liberals support?
Creation of a German Empire
Represented the educated and wealthy middle class
What did the German People’s party support?
Opposed the creation of a unified Germany
Mainly based in the south of the country
What didthe Catholic Party support?
Represented Catholic interests
Strongest supports