Political Authority

Question 1

Who was chancellor of Germany in 1871?

Answer 1

Otto von Bismarck

Question 2

What part of society was Bismarck from?

Answer 2

Junker class (upper)

Question 3

What did Bismarck often do to the Kaiser to gain power?

Answer 3

manipulate him to get what he wants as the Kaiser was heavily reliant on Bismarck - secured his position

Question 4

What were the 2 disputes over German leadership?

Answer 4

1- Prussia vs. Austria
2- Prussia vs. France

Question 5

How was Austria dealt with?

Answer 5

Bismarck forged the North German Confederation in 1867

Question 6

What is the French Prussian dispute often referred to as?

Answer 6

Franco-Prussian War

Question 7

How was the French issue dealt with?

Answer 7

the 1967 confederation was extended to the southern states

Question 8

Who was the Kaiser in 1871?

Answer 8

Kaiser Wilhelm I

Question 9

How was Wilhelm I determined to lead?

Answer 9

In an authoritarian way

Question 10

What are the roles of the Kaiser?

Answer 10

• could dissolve the Reichstag
• commanded army directly
• controlled foreign policy
• devised policies and laws
• could declare war or martial law in an emergency situation
• Article 17

Question 11

What type of state was Germany?

Answer 11

a federal state

Question 12

What is a federal state?

Answer 12

a system of government that is divided between the central government and local governments

Question 13

What did the liberals wish for in regards to the constitution?

Answer 13

a democratic constitution

Question 14

What were some things the Liberals wished for?

Answer 14

• power of the ruler and ministers being limited
• giving the people some control over government
• an elected parliament

Question 15

What was the importance of Prussia?

Answer 15

• controlled 2/3 of the territory of the New German Empire
• 3/5 of the population
• possessed many of the industrial and mineral resources

Question 16

How did the Prussia dominate the Bundesrat?

Answer 16

17/58 members

Question 17

What was the focus / values of Prussia?

Answer 17

Patriotic focus due to strong military traditions

Question 18

How did Bismarck achieve German unification in 1871?

Answer 18

war

Question 19

What were some key features of the constitution?

Answer 19

• autocratic features
• elected Reichstag
• universal manhood suffrage

Question 20

How many parts of the government did the constitution allocate?

Answer 20

1- Kaiser
2- Government
3- Reichstag
4- Bundesrat

Question 21

How was the chancellor chosen?

Answer 21

appointed and dismissed only by the Kaiser

Question 22

How were members of the Reichstag chosen?

Answer 22

Elections held every 3 years by males over 25

Question 23

What are some elements of the Reichstag?

Answer 23

• free speech
• gave to consent to all laws
• could not amend law

Question 24

Who made up the Bundesrat?

Answer 24

representatives from the member states (larger the state the more representatives)

Question 25

What were some of the roles of the Bundesrat?

Answer 25

• initiate legislation
• majority votes
• had to approve the Kaiser’s declaration of war