The junker class had completely lost its influence in German politics by the Second World War. How far do you agree with this statement? Flashcards
Complete the missing word….The once ___ Junkers
redoubtable
What era truly ended the junkers’ influence?
The Nazis
How far do you agree with the statement?
Politically their influence had certainly ended by the end of the war but not the beginning
When does their social influence end?
Socially, however, it could be said that their influence was not truly lost until the division in Germany following the end of the war, where they lost Prussia, the foundation of their elitism.
Summarise the political impact of Junkers during the Kaiserreich?
Junkers led government, dominated the army as well as most major social and administrative positions across the country, giving them huge influence about the governing of the country.
What did Bismarck’s constitution mean for the relationship between the two houses?
Bismarck’s constitution meant that Junkers in the Bundesrat could veto legislation from the Reichstag
What did Bismarck’s constitution mean for the choice of Chancellor?
Chancellor was chosen by the Kaiser, king of Prussia
Describe the Kaiser?
A paragon of Prussian Aristocracy
Explain how to Prussian voting system maintained the influence of the junkers?
The Prussian voting system mean that Junkers’ votes were worth three times that of a worker.
The Prussian voting system mean that Junkers’ votes were worth three times that of a worker, what did this mean for the political system?
This allowed them to dominate the Reichstag and Bundesrat and could block or pass whatever legislation that was most beneficial to them.
What happened in 1894 that demonstrates the extent of jUnker influence during the Kaiserreich?
Chancellor Caprivi was sacked for his ‘Socialist’ New Course which appeared to bring about too much change and benefit the workers too much.
What two groups formed an alliance against the SPD?
Junker German Conservative Party and the National Liberals.
Junkers tended to maintain support of which groups?
Businessmen and Upper middle classes
How did industrialisation mark a declining Junker influence during the Kaiserreich?
Junker influence was founded on peasant control based on an agrarian economy where they owned vast swathes of agricultural land. When Germany industrialised, however, workers started to support parties and ideas which benefitted them rather than siding with the land owners.
Before industrialisation, what was there before between the Junkers and the peasants?
This meant that there was a quasi-alliance between the peasants and the land owners.
What did Junkers do that thought would not change their influence, but actually diluted it?
started to allow the upper middle classes and industrial elite positions of political power in the idea that they would work for the junker interest. This, however, diluted their power and meant that government policy started to favour big business over Junkers.
Which state was the location of most of the Junker land and influence?
Prussia
What was the new state in relation to Prussia and how does this suggest a declining influence?
The German state was far more diverse than was Prussia, the state in which most of the Junker’s influence lay. Their ability to exert authority over all states, particularly southern states such as Bavaria and Baden who were resistant to Junker influence, was limited.
What meant, under the Kaiserreich, that meant that their influence was cemented as declining in the long term?
Structural changes to the state, such as industrialisation
What and when under Weimar ensured that the Junker influence over the army was maintained?
The Ebert-Groener Pact of November 1918
How did the army agree to support the Weimar government that relates to Junker influence?
The army agreed to support the new government as long as the Junker leadership of the military was not reformed.
Give the names of three Junkers who maintained their influence throughout Weimar?
Hans von Seeckt
Franz von Papen
Paul von Hindenburg
How did, and when did, Hans von Seeckt maintain his Junker influence throughout Weimar?
commander in chief of Army 1920-26
How did, and when did, Franz von Papen maintain his Junker influence throughout Weimar?
chancellor July-December 1932