Government and opposition (1871-1888) Flashcards
Info that is on the spec
How is Wilhelm I described?
- very much the Prussian aristocrat
- old-fashioned
- courteous
- a genuine Prussian officer
How is Bismarck described?
- manipulative
- temper tantrums
- hysterical outbursts
- vindictive
- charismatic
What political party had a strong relationship with Bismarck?
National Liberals
How did the relationship between Bismarck and the NL grow?
- National Liberals had a sizeable win in the 1871 election
- both wished for German unity
What other political party did Bismarck trust?
Conservatives (FKP)
How many laws were passed to make moves toward further unity?
100+ laws
What group did Bismarck clash with?
the Catholic Church
What was Bismarck’s policy towards the Catholic Church?
Kulturkampf
What does Kulturkampf mean?
struggle for culture
Why did Bismarck not like the Catholic church?
they had too much power outside of government control
What type of economic changes had most of Europe began to introduce?
protection and tariffs (tax)
What was the largest form of opposition for Bismarck?
socialism (SPD)
How did Bismarck view socialism?
as a threat to the unity of the German Empire
What laws did Bismarck pass to deal with the growing threat of socialism?
Anti-socialist laws (1878)
How did Bismarck deal with National minorities he deemed as a threat?
How did industrialisation impact the population?
the rise of the industry and economic shifts led to an increasingly industrial population
What did the new industrial population want?
a real democracy
How much of the Reichstag were hostile towards Bismarck and his policies?
75%
How did Bismarck deal with the Reichstag when they did not listen to him?
had the Kaiser dissolve it
What were the 4 main parties?
- National Liberals
- Zentrum
- Social Democrats
- Conservatives
Which party had become Bismarck’s favourite?
Conservatives
How had Bismarck’s relationship changed with the National Liberals?
weakened
What major event happened in 1888?
Kaiser Wilhelm I died
Who was Wilhelm’s replacements?
1- his son Fredrick (only for 3 months as he also died)
2- Fredrick’s son Wilhelm II
How did Wilhelm II’s relationship with Bismarck differ from previous?
they constantly clashed over key issues
