History: Germany 1890-1945, Democracy and Dictatorship Flashcards
What was the configuration of government in Imperial Germany?
Kaiser / Emperor
Chancellor
Bundesrat
Reichstag
What were the powers of the Kaiser?
- Could appoint and dismiss Chancellor
- Could dissolve the Reichstag
- Commanded army
- Could ‘interpret’ constitution
- Supervised execution of all Federal laws
- Could order 14 of 17 Prussian members of Bundesrat to veto a proposal
What were the powers of the Chancellor?
- Only responsible to the Kaiser
- Could ignore the Reichstag
What were the powers of the Bundesrat?
- Its consent was required in the passing of new laws
- Theoretically able to change the constitution
- Could veto a proposal
What were the powers of the Reichstag?
- It could accept or reject legislation but power to initiate new laws was negligible
How many members did the Bundesrat have and from where?
58 members
17 from Prussia
6 from Bavaria
1 from each smaller state
How often was the Reichstag elected and by whom?
- Every 5 years (unless dissolved)
- All males over 25
What is industrialisation?
A process that happens in countries when they start to use machines to do work that was once done by people
What is socialism?
A political and economic system wherin property and resources are owned in common by the state
Describe Kaiser Wilhelm II’s character and aims
- Tried to conceal paralysed arm, felt physically inferior
- Wanted Germany to be as great as Britain
- Did not want to share his power with the Reichstag
- Only 29 years old when inheriting the throne
What effects did industrialisation have on Germany?
- By 1913, Germany produced more iron and steel than Britain
- German population increased from 40 million in 1871 to 68 million in 1914
- Allowed for the spread of the idea of socialism
- Socialist Democratic Party (SPD) became largest party in the Reichstag by 1914
Naval Laws
- First Naval Law in 1898
- By 1906 60% of Germany’s revenue is spent on navy
- SPD opposed these laws as they felt it should have been spent on education and other publicly owned organisations
Who was behind the Naval Laws?
Admiral Tirpitz
What was Weltpolitik?
Germany’s foreign policy
Before and after WW1:
Monarchy
Country seemed settled
Germans views on war
Economy
Strong Monarchy -> Kaiser Wilhelm fled and was not replaced
Country seemed settled -> Germany starved due to British blockade
Most germans supported the war -> War weary
Economy was growing and German factories were producing lots of goods -> Economy crashed as money was being spent on the war effort instead
Events near end of WW1 in Germany
- Multiple strikes preceding end of war (Jan 1918)
- In 1918, Germany was only producing 2/3 of what it had in 1913
- Kiel Mutiny 29 October 1918 (crews refused to follow orders)
When did Kaiser Wilhelm abdicate?
9 November 1918
What were Junkers?
Prussian noble landholders
Configuration of Weimar Republic
President
Chancellor
Reichstag
Electorate (German populace)
Examples of democracy in new Weimar Republic
- President elected every 7 years
- Chancellor must have support of at least half the politicians in the Reichstag to introduce new laws
- Members of Reichstag elected every 4 years
- All men and women over age of 20 could vote
- Government guaranteed them basic freedoms such as free speech
Examples of autocracy in Weimar Republic
- President controlled army, navy and air force
- Article 48 allowed President to issue special emergency decrees without support of Reichstag
- Chancellor chosen by President
What were problems with the Weimar constitution?
- Proportional representation caused friction in the Reichstag and slowed down decisions, 28 parties had to agree
- Article 48 could be used with malicious and anti-democratic intent
What is diktat?
Dictated peace
What is a mandate?
An order you have to follow
