Kaiser Reich 1900-1914 Flashcards

1
Q

In the constitution who were the army responsible to?

A

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

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2
Q

What were the four key powers the Kaiser held?

A

1)Controlled the army 2)Controlled foreign policy 3)Could dissolve the R’stag 4)Appointed/dismissed the Chancellor

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3
Q

What made the R’stag especially democratic?

A

It had universal male suffrage for those over 25 and represented all 25 federal states

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4
Q

Who was the Chancellor from 1871-1890?

A

Chancellor Bismarck

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5
Q

At what age did Kaiser Wilhelm II ascend the throne?

A

29

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6
Q

How did Kaiser Wilhelm II rule?

A

1) Contempt for democracy 2)Didn’t think he should share power with the R’stag 3)Wanted glory and relied on the army

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7
Q

From what class were all the chancellors from and who were they responsible to?

A

Junker Class and solely to the Kaiser (not the R’stag)

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8
Q

What was the Bundesrat?

A

1) Law-making upper house in Federal Parliament 2)Barrier to RADICAL legislation

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9
Q

How many seats did Prussia hold in the Bundesrat?

A

17/58

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10
Q

Who succeeded Bismarck until 1894?

A

Chancellor von Caprivi

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11
Q

What did the R’stag control and who controlled it?

A

Finance of Defence budget. Elected via Universal male suffrage. Kaiser could dissolve it. No control of laws, army or chancellor.

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12
Q

What were the dates Chancellor Hohenloe was in office?

A

1894-1900

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13
Q

What are the 3 strengths of the constitution?

A

Universal Male suffrage. Could address domestic issues. Strong individuals made effective government.

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14
Q

Who was chancellor from 1900 - 1909?

A

Chancellor von Bulow

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15
Q

What are 3 main weaknesses of the constitution?

A

Kaiser has too much power. Army only loyal to Kaiser. Contempt for democracy from the powerful men.

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16
Q

When was Bethmann-Hollweg chancellor?

A

1909-1917

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17
Q

What are the 1912 election results for the SPD?

A

110 seats WON from 56 —- 4.25 million votes

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18
Q

How do the consequences of the 1912 election suggest policy was driven by the people?

A

*Rich Industrialists wanted a greater say in politics *Rapid growth of pressure groups (Trade Unionism)–> WELTPOLITIK headed by the Kaiser for galvanising

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19
Q

Did government adapt to urbanisation and the growing cities?

A

NO— there was no change in representation in the Bundesrat

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20
Q

What improved as the consequence of urbanisation?

A

1)LARGER markets and workforces 2)Sanitation and birthrate 3)Increased wages 4)Lower infant mortality

21
Q

Why were the workers inclined towards the left-wing?

A

The workers were dissatisfied from INDUSTRIALISATION - poverty; little accommodation; overcrowding

22
Q

Why is socialism considered partly to be a pressure group?

A

Links with Trade Unionism —split between revision and revolution but politically isolated

23
Q

What were the 3 main NATIONALIST pressure groups?

A

1)German Colonial League 2)The Pan German League 3)Navy League

24
Q

What were the two economic pressure groups?

A

Central association of German Industrialists and the Agrarian League

25
Q

What major reform occurred in 1898 and who orchestrated it?

A

The Flottenpolitik created by Admiral von Tirpitz

26
Q

Who was in support of the Flottenpolitik and why?

A

The Kaiser because… *Large Navy for colonies *Challenge Royal Navy *Use in Brinkmanship against French *Rallied by Naval League

27
Q

What was von Bulow’s big reform and why was it created?

A

SAMMLUNGSPOLITIK (policy of concentration/protectionalism)

28
Q

who was involved in the Sammlungspolitik?

A

Conservatives, liberals, Junkers and Industrialists AGAINST the SPD

29
Q

What reform was made to the ‘Old Age and Invalidity Law’?

A

Amended to increase pensions and extend compulsory insurance (von Bulow’s minor reform)

30
Q

What law was introduced in 1903 as one of von Bulow’s minor reforms?

A

Sickness Insurance Law (allowing sick leave)

31
Q

In which year were the restrictions on hours of work for children initiated?

A

1908

32
Q

What do both the Weltpolitik and Sammlungspolitik show?

A

The SYNTHESIS of popular pressure of the pressure groups and government policy

33
Q

What did the Weltpolitik aim at and was it successful?

A

+German expansion in gaining colonies +galvanised country for nationalism // -only gained some strips in the congo

34
Q

When was the Herero uprising?

A

January 1904

35
Q

What happened at the Herero uprising?

A

German people in South West Africa revolted and the army killed 65,000/80,000 inhabitants

36
Q

What did the Herero uprising show?

A

Kaiser’s control is slipping

37
Q

How many marks did the Herero scandal cost?

A

456 million marks

38
Q

What was the result of the Hottentot election? Which year was it?

A

May 1906

von Bulow won a majority through scaring voters of a socialist majority

39
Q

What happened in October 1908?

A

The Daily Telegraph Affair (DTA)

40
Q

What did the Kaiser say in the Daily Telegraph Affair?

A

The British are ‘mad, mad, mad as march hares’

41
Q

What were 2 outcomes from the DTA?

A

1)Kaiser has a very weak grasp on diplomacy 2)Chancellors are disposable- von Bulow blamed for event and dismissed

42
Q

What were 3 minor reforms that Chancellor Bethmann-Hollweg initiated?

A

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

43
Q

What happened in 1913?

A

The Zabern Incident

44
Q

Why did the Zabern Incident undermine Bethmann-Hollweg’s attempt to make Alsace closer to Germany?

A

Alsace inhabitants HATED German army after

  • Racist officer called them ‘square heads’
  • Then arrogantly walked through the streets and was JEERED
45
Q

What are the 4 key mistakes the Kaiser makes when dealing with the Zabern Incident?

A

1)On a hunting expedition 2)Refuses to see the governor of Alsace 2)Only listened to the army 4)Ignores the R’stag

46
Q

How do the R’stag react at the Kaiser’s actions of 1913?

A

Vote of no confidence in B-H. Now more willing to criticise the Kaiser.

47
Q

By 1914 what was the influence of the left?

A
  • SPD gained a majority in 1912 election
  • Indirectly caused welfare reforms though pressure
  • Represent industrial workers
48
Q

What stopped the left wing gaining greater power?

A

They couldn’t enter the Bundesrat due to voting and POLITICALLY ISOLATED