Government and opposition (1888-1914) Flashcards
Info that is on the spec
What type of person was Kaiser Wilhelm II?
- full of energy
- ambitious
- sensitive to criticism
- wanted to wield ultimate power
- did not delegate
How many chancellors did Wilhelm II have?
5
What is the order of his chancellors?
1- Bismarck
2- Caprivi
3- Hohenlohe
4- Bulow
5- Hollweg
How long did Caprivi serve as chancellor for?
1890-1894
What type of person was Caprivi?
a military figure
What did Caprivi do first?
reversal Bismarck policies: - end of anti-socialist laws
- reduction in tariffs
- recognition of unions
Who was Caprivi popular with?
working classes, socialists, zentrum, liberals, and industrialists
What type of people opposed Caprivi?
conservatives, Prussian landowners
What impact did Caprivi have on the military budget?
agreed to have it reviewed every 5 years rather than every 7
Why did Caprivi resign?
found the Kaiser hard to work with
How long did Hohenlohe serve as chancellor for?
1894-1900
What type of chancellor was Hohenlohe?
a figurehead - “straw doll”
Why was Hohenlohe selected?
served as a no political threat and let the Kaiser have control
When did Bulow serve as chancellor for?
1900-1909
What did Bulow do as chancellor?
abandoned aggressive anti-socialism and introduced social reforms for the working class
When did Hollweg serve as chancellor?
1909-1917
What did Hollweg control?
economic issues
What did the Kaiser control with Hollweg?
military and foreign policy
What was Hollweg’s relationship like with the Reichstag?
clashed constantly
What was the role of the Reichstag?
to approve or reject any law - could not amend or introduce new legislation
How did the Kaiser and the Reichstag clash over his powers?
they viewed the Kaiser’s autocratic powers very differently
How did the Kaiser’s militant focus impact his reputation amongst the people?
it increased the feeling that his government did not represent the wishes of the people
How is the period of 1890-1914 important for politics?
a huge increase in political activity
What type of activity was going on in politics?
political parties, pressure groups, and unions
