Kaiser Reich 1900-1914 Flashcards
In the constitution who were the army responsible to?
They were outside the constitution as an AUTONOMOUS body- only responsible to the Kaiser. They were much admired as they had been crucial in Germany’s reunification
What were the four key powers the Kaiser held?
1)Controlled the army 2)Controlled foreign policy 3)Could dissolve the R’stag 4)Appointed/dismissed the Chancellor
What made the R’stag especially democratic?
It had universal male suffrage for those over 25 and represented all 25 federal states
Who was the Chancellor from 1871-1890?
Chancellor Bismarck
At what age did Kaiser Wilhelm II ascend the throne?
29
How did Kaiser Wilhelm II rule?
1) Contempt for democracy 2)Didn’t think he should share power with the R’stag 3)Wanted glory and relied on the army
From what class were all the chancellors from and who were they responsible to?
Junker Class and solely to the Kaiser (not the R’stag)
What was the Bundesrat?
1) Law-making upper house in Federal Parliament 2)Barrier to RADICAL legislation
How many seats did Prussia hold in the Bundesrat?
17/58
Who succeeded Bismarck until 1894?
Chancellor von Caprivi
What did the R’stag control and who controlled it?
Finance of Defence budget. Elected via Universal male suffrage. Kaiser could dissolve it. No control of laws, army or chancellor.
What were the dates Chancellor Hohenloe was in office?
1894-1900
What are the 3 strengths of the constitution?
Universal Male suffrage. Could address domestic issues. Strong individuals made effective government.
Who was chancellor from 1900 - 1909?
Chancellor von Bulow
What are 3 main weaknesses of the constitution?
Kaiser has too much power. Army only loyal to Kaiser. Contempt for democracy from the powerful men.
When was Bethmann-Hollweg chancellor?
1909-1917
What are the 1912 election results for the SPD?
110 seats WON from 56 —- 4.25 million votes
How do the consequences of the 1912 election suggest policy was driven by the people?
*Rich Industrialists wanted a greater say in politics *Rapid growth of pressure groups (Trade Unionism)–> WELTPOLITIK headed by the Kaiser for galvanising
Did government adapt to urbanisation and the growing cities?
NO— there was no change in representation in the Bundesrat
What improved as the consequence of urbanisation?
1)LARGER markets and workforces 2)Sanitation and birthrate 3)Increased wages 4)Lower infant mortality
Why were the workers inclined towards the left-wing?
The workers were dissatisfied from INDUSTRIALISATION - poverty; little accommodation; overcrowding
Why is socialism considered partly to be a pressure group?
Links with Trade Unionism —split between revision and revolution but politically isolated
What were the 3 main NATIONALIST pressure groups?
1)German Colonial League 2)The Pan German League 3)Navy League
What were the two economic pressure groups?
Central association of German Industrialists and the Agrarian League
What major reform occurred in 1898 and who orchestrated it?
The Flottenpolitik created by Admiral von Tirpitz
Who was in support of the Flottenpolitik and why?
The Kaiser because… *Large Navy for colonies *Challenge Royal Navy *Use in Brinkmanship against French *Rallied by Naval League
What was von Bulow’s big reform and why was it created?
SAMMLUNGSPOLITIK (policy of concentration/protectionalism)
who was involved in the Sammlungspolitik?
Conservatives, liberals, Junkers and Industrialists AGAINST the SPD
What reform was made to the ‘Old Age and Invalidity Law’?
Amended to increase pensions and extend compulsory insurance (von Bulow’s minor reform)
What law was introduced in 1903 as one of von Bulow’s minor reforms?
Sickness Insurance Law (allowing sick leave)
In which year were the restrictions on hours of work for children initiated?
1908
What do both the Weltpolitik and Sammlungspolitik show?
The SYNTHESIS of popular pressure of the pressure groups and government policy
What did the Weltpolitik aim at and was it successful?
+German expansion in gaining colonies +galvanised country for nationalism // -only gained some strips in the congo
When was the Herero uprising?
January 1904
What happened at the Herero uprising?
German people in South West Africa revolted and the army killed 65,000/80,000 inhabitants
What did the Herero uprising show?
Kaiser’s control is slipping
How many marks did the Herero scandal cost?
456 million marks
What was the result of the Hottentot election? Which year was it?
May 1906
von Bulow won a majority through scaring voters of a socialist majority
What happened in October 1908?
The Daily Telegraph Affair (DTA)
What did the Kaiser say in the Daily Telegraph Affair?
The British are ‘mad, mad, mad as march hares’
What were 2 outcomes from the DTA?
1)Kaiser has a very weak grasp on diplomacy 2)Chancellors are disposable- von Bulow blamed for event and dismissed
What were 3 minor reforms that Chancellor Bethmann-Hollweg initiated?
1)1911 Imperial Insurance Code (Increased insurance for ‘white collar’ workers 2)Introduced a constitution for Alsace in 1911 = ‘more German’ 3)Seized Polish owned estates and gave them to German peasants
What happened in 1913?
The Zabern Incident
Why did the Zabern Incident undermine Bethmann-Hollweg’s attempt to make Alsace closer to Germany?
Alsace inhabitants HATED German army after
- Racist officer called them ‘square heads’
- Then arrogantly walked through the streets and was JEERED
What are the 4 key mistakes the Kaiser makes when dealing with the Zabern Incident?
1)On a hunting expedition 2)Refuses to see the governor of Alsace 2)Only listened to the army 4)Ignores the R’stag
How do the R’stag react at the Kaiser’s actions of 1913?
Vote of no confidence in B-H. Now more willing to criticise the Kaiser.
By 1914 what was the influence of the left?
- SPD gained a majority in 1912 election
- Indirectly caused welfare reforms though pressure
- Represent industrial workers
What stopped the left wing gaining greater power?
They couldn’t enter the Bundesrat due to voting and POLITICALLY ISOLATED
