political authority Flashcards
key profile
otto von bismarck (1815-1898)
- junker background: Prussian noble,landowner
- key roles: Minister-president of Prussia(1862), first German chancellor (nearly 20 years)
- Achievements: Unified Germany through “blood and iron” ( war and industry)
- Personal life: Reclusive, health issues, close to wife and hunting dogs
Flashcard 2: Role and Powers of the Kaiser
Q: What were the Kaiser’s powers under the 1871 constitution?
Hereditary monarch and King of Prussia.
Appointed and dismissed the Chancellor and ministers.
Controlled the army, declared war, and managed foreign policy.
Could call and dissolve the Reichstag.
Flashcard 3: Kaiser Wilhelm I (1797–1888)
Q: What characterized Kaiser Wilhelm I’s leadership?
- A conservative monarch focused on military affairs.
- Relied on Chancellor Bismarck for governance.
-Symbolised German unity under Prussian dominance.
Flashcard 4: The Role of the Chancellor
Q: What was the role of the Chancellor in the German Empire?
*Appointed and dismissed by the Kaiser.
*Responsible only to the Kaiser, not the Reichstag or Bundesrat.
*Managed the outline of policies with the Kaiser’s approval.
*Had significant authority but was dependent on maintaining the Kaiser’s favour.
Flashcard 5: The Reichstag (Lower House)
Q: What were the powers and limitations of the Reichstag?
*Members (deputies) were elected every three years by universal male suffrage for men over 25.
*Could debate, approve, or reject laws but could not propose or amend laws.
*Controlled the annual budget but had no say over military spending in peacetime.
*Could not dismiss the Chancellor or force ministers to resign.
*Provided limited representation, making it more symbolic than powerful.
Flashcard 6: The Bundesrat (Upper House)
Q: What was the role of the Bundesrat in the German Empire?
*Consists of 58 representatives from the 25 states.
*Prussia had 17 votes, giving it a de facto veto over constitutional changes (required 14).
*Approved laws alongside the Reichstag but could veto legislation, except for the annual budget.
*Represented state interests, but Prussian dominance reduced its independence.
Flashcard 7: Prussia’s Dominance in the Empire
Q: How did Prussia dominate the German Empire?
*Prussia’s King was also the Kaiser, centralising power.
- Controlled the military and foreign policy of the Empire.
- Dominated the Bundesrat and, therefore, the federal legislative process.
*Provided most of the Empire’s resources, including industry, territory, and population.
Flashcard 8: The 1871 Constitution
Q: What were the main features of the 1871 German Constitution?
*Created a federal structure with shared powers between the Kaiser, the Bundesrat, and the Reichstag.
*The Kaiser had extensive executive powers, including military and foreign policy control.
*The Reichstag was elected but had limited influence over policy.
*The Bundesrat represented state governments but was dominated by Prussia.
*Power was concentrated in the Kaiser and Chancellor, with the constitution favoring authoritarianism over democracy.
Flashcard 9: Significance of the Proclamation at Versailles
Q: Why was the proclamation of the German Empire at Versailles in 1871 significant?
*Symbolized German unification under Prussian leadership, ending centuries of fragmentation.
*Took place after the Franco-Prussian War, asserting Germany’s victory over France.
*Marked a shift in European power, with Germany emerging as a significant political and military force.
*Reinforced Prussian dominance in the new German state.
Flashcard 10: Key Terms in the German Empire
Q: What do the terms “Reichstag,” “Bundesrat,” and “Kaiserreich” mean?
- Reichstag: The Lower House of Parliament, elected by universal male suffrage.
- Bundesrat: The Upper House, representing the states, heavily influenced by Prussia.
*Kaiserreich: The German Empire (literally “Emperor’s Realm”), established in 1871.
- The Role of Emperor and Chancellor
Question: What powers did the Emperor have under the 1871 constitution, and why were they significant?
*Powers: Appointed/dismissed the Chancellor, declared war, controlled executive appointments, and commanded the armed forces.
*Relevance: These powers centralised authority in the Emperor, ensuring autocratic control in the newly unified Germany.
*Significance: The system limited democratic influence, creating tensions between authoritarianism and the emerging role of the Reichstag.
Question: Why was the Chancellor dependent on the Emperor, and how did this affect governance?
*Dependency: The Emperor appointed and dismissed the Chancellor, with no accountability to the Reichstag.
*Relevance: This dependency solidified authoritarian rule but made the system fragile, as it relied on the Emperor’s competence.
*Significance: This structure limited political reform and contributed to growing calls for constitutional change.
Bismarck’s Power
Question: How did Bismarck consolidate his power within the German Empire?
*Details: Held key roles (Chancellor, Foreign Minister, presided over the Bundesrat), avoided a cabinet system, and controlled policymaking.
*Relevance: Allowed him to dominate decision-making and suppress opposition, ensuring Prussia’s dominance within the Empire.
*Significance: His authoritarian approach stabilised the Empire post-unification but set a precedent for centralised power that proved unsustainable.
Question: What limitations did Bismarck face in maintaining control?
*Details: Dependent on the Kaiser’s support, faced resistance from the Reichstag after 1874 and struggled with ill-health.
*Relevance: Highlighted the constitutional checks on his power and the challenges of balancing authoritarianism with the demands of the Reichstag.
*Significance: These limitations exposed weaknesses in the system, which became evident after his resignation in 1890.
The German Constitution
Question: What were the main features of the 1871 German constitution, and why were they significant?
*Features: Federal structure (states retained local power), Reichstag elected by universal suffrage, Bundesrat dominated by Prussia.
*Relevance: Combined federalism with centralised authority, ensuring Prussian dominance but marginalising smaller states.
*Significance: This imbalance created tensions between the Reichstag’s democratic aspirations and Prussia’s autocratic dominance.
Question: How did Prussia’s dominance shape the German Empire?
*Details: Prussia controlled 17 of 58 Bundesrat seats, and the Emperor was also the King of Prussia.
*Relevance: Ensured Prussia’s dominance in German politics, marginalising other states and their leaders.
*Significance: This centralisation of power under Prussia contributed to resentment among other German states and hindered national cohesion.
Question: How did the National Liberals contribute to the political system, and why did their influence decline?
Answer:
* Details: Supported constitutional reform, free trade, and initially aligned with Bismarck. Influence declined after 1878 due to Bismarck’s conservative shift.
* Relevance: Showed the importance of liberal ideas in the early Empire but also highlighted the limits of liberalism in an authoritarian state.
* Significance: Their decline demonstrated Bismarck’s ability to manipulate political alliances for his own gain.
Question: What role did the Centre Party (Zentrum) play in German politics?
Answer:
* Details: Represented Catholic interests and opposed centralization. Resisted Bismarck’s Kulturkampf.
* Relevance: Highlighted the cultural and religious divisions within the Empire.
* Significance: The Zentrum’s strength showed the limitations of Bismarck’s policies in uniting Germany.
Question: Why was the SPD significant, and what challenges did it face?
Answer:
* Details: Advocated for workers’ rights and socialism, opposed by Bismarck’s anti-socialist laws.
* Relevance: Represented the rise of social tensions due to industrialisation.
* Significance: The SPD became a symbol of mass political movements, laying the groundwork for future challenges to the authoritarian state.
- Evaluating the Reichstag
- Question: What powers did the Reichstag have under the 1871 constitution, and why were they limited?
Answer:
* Powers: Controlled the budget and debated laws but couldn’t remove the Chancellor or propose legislation independently.
* Relevance: Represented democratic aspirations but was constrained by the Emperor’s dominance.
* Significance: Its limited power frustrated reformers, contributing to long-term tensions between authoritarian and democratic forces.
Question: How did the Reichstag’s powers evolve over time?
Answer:
* Details: Gained influence post-1874, particularly over military budgets.
* Relevance: Demonstrated the growing demand for accountability and democratic influence.
* Significance: Marked the gradual shift towards constitutional reform, though this was limited by authoritarian structures.
- Bismarck’s Legacy
- Question: What was Bismarck’s main contribution to the German Empire, and why was it significant?
Answer:
* Contribution: Unified Germany, maintained authoritarian control, and suppressed political opposition.
* Relevance: Stabilized the Empire during its formative years.
* Significance: Created a political system reliant on his leadership, which struggled after his resignation.
