Kaiser's Germany Flashcards
what did the growth of industrialisation under KWII mean for Germany?
- better transport infrastructure (railways, trains, ships) leading to better communication lines and trade routes
- by 1914, germany was a world leader in new industries (electrical products, chemical products [Bayer], automobiles [Daimler and Volkswagen])
what 2 processes started under KWII?
industrialisation and urbanisation
what did the growth of urbanisation under KWII mean for Germany?
- between 1875 and 1910 berlin’s population doubled
- by 1910 60% of germans lived in cities
by 1910, what % or germans lived in cities?
60%
when did the SPD become the largest party?
1912, where they had 1/3 of the seats
what were the effects of industrialisation & urbanisation under KWII?
- larger working class
- more rich land/factory owners & businessmen
- low wages
- poor working conditions
- expensive food
- disease and poverty
what proportion of the seats in the Reichstag did the SPD have, in 1912?
1/3
what were the aims of the SPD?
wanted more democracy & to improve working conditions
how many seats did the SPD have in the reichstag in 1887?
11
how many seats did the SPD have in the reichstag in 1903?
81
what were the effects of poverty & divided society under KWII?
growth of extremist views; extreme nationalists and those who wanted revolution
who backed industrialisation?
wealthy businessmen
in 1914, how many workers belonged to a trade union?
3 million
why were the aristocracy worried under KWII?
thought the SPD want revolution to overthrow monarchy, and destroy the class system
when was the Worker’s Protection Act?
1891
why did KWII pass the Worker’s Protection Act in 1891?
tried to stop people voting SPD
What did the Worker’s Protection Act do, 1891?
- stricter regulations - greater workplace safety
- banned work on Sundays
- maximum working day of 11 hours for women & 10 hours for workers <16
- prohibited night work by <16
- banned <13 from working in industry
- encouraged establishment of worker’s committees in factories to address disputes
when were the industrial courts est.?
1901
why were industrial courts set up?
- to settle disputes between employer and employee
- compulsory in towns where population exceeded 20,000
how was society under KWII divided?
- some factory owners had become very rich in the war
- junkers
- poverty (restricted worker’s wages)
- women in factories (trad. family values)
- larger working class
who were the Junkers?
- wealthy conservative landowners from Prussia
- controlled Prussian Army (enormous influence over German foreign & domestic affairs)
- strong supporters of German ruling family (Prussian Hohenzollern dynasty)
in what year did Germany produce more iron & steel & the same amount of coal as great britain?
1913
what were KWII’s priorities?
- global power; weltpolitik
- pride & interest in military
how did KWII attempt to gain global power?
late 1800s took over other nations (ie Africa)
why did KWII follow a policy of Weltpolitik?
- to distract from socialism
- wanted germany to be most powerful country in world
- wanted to increase germany’s status
why did KWII have an interest and pride in the military?
- wanted to rival great britain; take more land & protect current empire
- people saw german power over britain and agreed to support kaiser’s other policies
- created more work for businesses and industries
when were the Naval Laws?
1898-1912
when was the First Naval Law?
1898
when was the Second Naval Law?
1900
when was the Third Naval Law?
1906
when was the Final Naval Law?
1912
what did the First Naval Law do?
1898 - increased navy by 7 battleships