Kaiserreich: 1 political authority Flashcards
what kind of state was Germany in 1871 and what did that mean for each state?
federal state, each state had its own government, 22 states had their own monarchy including Bavaria
facts about Prussia?
largest state, King of Prussia was Kaiser Wilhelm, 60% of the area of the Reich, dominated the Bundesrat with 17/58 votes, civil service and bureaucracy followed the pattern already established in Prussia, strongly authoritarian state, ‘three-class’ franchise system, proud of their military
what minority groups lived in Germany also?
French speaking Alsace-Lorraine, Danish minority in North Schleswig and Polish speaking areas in East Prussia
what kind of constitution did German liberals want in 1871?
a democratic constitution.
an elected parliament (chosen by the people or at least the wealthiest citizens) to represent the people’s views, ensure taxes were properly spent etc.
who was Bismarck and what is his background?
Chancellor - traditional aristocratic Junker of Prussia, conservative and committed to the authoritarian Prussian tradition
what power did the Kaiser have?
- hereditary monarch
- appointed/dismissed chancellor and other ministers
- could call/dissolve the Reichstag
- commanded the army directly
- controlled foreign policy
- gave assent to all laws
- devised policies and laws in consultation with his chosen chancellor, ministers and the Bundesrat
- had final say in disputes within the constitution
what did the chancellor and ministers do?
- decided outlines of policy with the Kaiser/Bundesrat
- Chancellor gave assent to all laws with the Kaiser
Chancellor supposed to attend the Reichstag to explain and defend imperial policy, discuss legislation with the Kaiser
what was the Reichstag?
parliament (also known as the lower house)
- members elected by males over 25
- deputes had the right of free speech
- elections held every three years by indirect voting system
- gave consent to all laws
- could question, debate, agree or reject a law
- could not demand dismissal of the chancellor
what was the Bundesrat?
upper house
- 58 representatives from the states (Prussia had 17 members)
- presided over by the chancellor
- could initiate legislation
- decisions decided by majority vote except proposals to alter the constitution which needed a majority of 14
- had to approve new laws
- could veto all legislation except budget decided by Reichstag
- had to give approval t the Kaiser to declare war
what was Article 17?
stated it was the duty of the Kaiser ‘to prepare and publish the laws of the Empire and to supervise their execution’
how much power did Bismarck actually have?
as much power as the Kaiser gave him - Wilhelm I allowed Bismarck to rule almost independently as he was able to manage the government.
however Bismarck sometimes acted irrationally and when he didn’t get his way he would ask the Kaiser to dissolve the Reichstag and hold new elections
who were Zentrum (Catholic/Centre)?
German Catholics and minorities opposed to Bismarck, wanted to preserve the position of the Catholic church, favoured decentralisation.
who were the National Liberals?
supported German unification, Protestant middle classes, Liberal but became more conservative, 1870s Bismarck’s most enthusiastic supporters in the Reichstag, supported a centralised state.
who were the SPD?
working classes and worked with trade unions, supported in reduction of power in the elites, wanted better conditions for the masses.
who were the German Conservative Party (DKP)?
most right wing, detested the Reichstag because it was elected by universal suffrage, generally supported Bismarck, dominated in the Prussian Landtag (state government).
