Impact of the new Germany's constitution: Flashcards
Who was the Kaiser?
Wilhelm I of Prussia
What powers did the Kaiser have?
- Appointed and dismissed government
- Could dissolve Reichstag
- Controlled foreign policy and armed forces
- Could interpret the constitution
Who elected the Reichstag? how often?
All men over 25, every 5 years
What powers did the Reichstag have?
- Could agree/reject laws proposed by Kaiser or government
- Controlled the budget
Who appointed and dismissed the Chancellor?
the Kaiser
What power did the Chancellor have?
- Not dependent on Reichstag support to stay in office
- Could ignore the Reichstag
What did the Chancellor do?
- Proposed new laws to Reichstag
- Chaired sessions of the Bundesrat
How many members did the Bundesrat have?
58 members:
- 17 Prussian
- 6 Bavarian
- 1 each for other states
How many votes did the Bundesrat need to veto Reichstag legislation?
only 14
Why was a new constitution (albeit with Prussian dominance) necessary?
The 1/3 Catholic population felt discriminated against
Although each of the 22 individual monarchs had substantial powers, why did Prussia still dominate?
The emperor was the King of Prussia
Despite the constitution, why were the individual sovereigns not equal?
the Kaiser controlled the civil service and the military
What other power did the Kaiser have?
proclaim imperial laws (superseded state laws)
How was Germany economically unified?
- single German currency
- railway system linked between states
Which armies formed the German army?
Those of:
- Prussia
- Bavaria
- Saxony
- Württemberg
Who controlled the armies?
- Peacetime: each army swore allegiance to their king
- Wartime: Kaiser and the Prussian command took over
Who controlled the armies of the other states?
Prussia
How was Germany politically unified?
- national legal system
- national civil service (for all states to use)
The 1871 constitution established Germany as a federal state, under the dominance of whom?
Prussia
How many Länder (states) were there?
25
How were the Länder powers affected by the 1871 constitution?
- allowed to retain their constitutions
What aspects did the individual Länder retain control over?
- education
- transport
- direct taxation
- policing
- health
How were the southern states specifically affected by the constitution?
- retained their own railway and postal systems
- exempt from taxes on beer and spirits
What aspects did the national government have control over?
- national tariffs
- banking system
- foreign policy
- economic policy
