Germany - The Rule Of Kaiser's Germany Flashcards
What is militarisation?
The belief that a country should have strong armed forces
What did Prussia do?
As the most powerful state with a mighty army, they unified Germany in 1871.
How was the Kaiser created?
Prussian generals, army officers and tactics formed the basis of the new united German army - and the German Kaiser was its supreme leader.
What was the role of the Kaiser and who helped?
The Kaiser ruled over all states in Germany, made decisions about the army, navy and other foreign countries and could ignore the advice and make all decisions on his own.Each state sent representatives (Bundestrat) to consult with the Kaiser over new laws. The Kaiser was supported by advisors or ministers, and the chief minister (Chancellor).
What was the Reichstag?
A parliament that was elected by all men over 25. They voted and discussed laws that the Kaiser drew up
Who was Kaiser Wilhelm II?
He became Kaiser in 1888 at age 29 and was the grandson on Queen Victoria. He dreamt of making Germany as powerful as Britain (which was at its most powerful and had a huge navy).
What did Wilhelm do?
He began building up Germany’s industry (industrialisation), supported by rich, powerful business men. By 1913, his dream came true and Germany was producing as much coal and more iron and steel than Britain. In the electrical goods and chemicals industries, Germany dominated.
What was the trade unions?
As more landowners, business and factory owners became rich and influential, they didn’t want to loose this power but workers were unhappy with the conditions, low wages and expensive food. So they joined trade unions and strikes to force true Kaiser to improve their conditions.
What was the SPD?
A political party joined by many workers (1 in 3 Germans) that believed in socialism,hoping that the Kaiser would share power and allow the Reichstag to make more social reforms or laws for workers. There were more radical ones who wanted to rebel and take over, with councils of workers.
What was a ‘place in the sun’?
Weltpolitilk (world power), where the Kaiser wanted a powerful over seas empire like Britain and to transform Germany into a global power with control of countries in different parts of the world. They began taking over nations, most in Africa.
How did the Kaiser protect the new empire?
Naval Laws between 1898 and 1912, saw the navy increase in size and lots of money was spent. The army also grew but taxes were raised and lots of money was borrowed (Germany was left in debt)
