The Second Reich - Domestic Policy Flashcards
What did Caprivi do as a part of his New Course in terms of employment? (3 things)
Made it illegal for children under 13 to work and for women to work longer than 11 hours a day. Also created specialist courts for industrial disputes.
When was Caprivi’s New Course?
1890-1894
What did Caprivi do in terms of trade as a part of his New Course, and who did this upset?
Lowered the high tariffs imposed by Bismarck in order to expand trade - this upset the Junkers because people were now buying more foreign goods.
When was Weltpolitik established and what was it?
1894 - it was a drive to make Germany a world power by the means of creating colonies and expanding the military and naval forces.
Bülow wanted to revive Caprivi’s New Course by extending accident insurance and prohibiting child labour - true or false?
True
Bülow found Germany in debt due to military expansion - what did he suggest to solve this and was it an accepted idea?
He suggested suppressing the rebels and creating administration in the colonies so the army didn’t have to expand to be in several colonies at once. This was rejected by the Reichstag,
How did Bülow react to the rejection of his plan to solve the debt?
He dissolved the Reichstag and called an election.
The election in 1907 called was called the Hottentot election and very famous - why?
It was anti-socialist, anti-Catholic and pro-Nationalism.
The “Bülow bloc” was created as a result of the Hottentot election - who was a part of it and how strong was it?
National Liberals, Left Liberals and Conservatives - it was very weak.
Why was Bülow sacked in 1909? (Two reasons!)
Because he acted as a double-agent in the Daily Telegraph Affair of 1908 - he approved the Kaiser’s article but then sided with the Reichstag when it caused uproar. As a result, when his 1909 budget was rejected the Kaiser took the opportunity to sack him.
Who was appointed Chancellor after Bülow was sacked, and how popular was he in the Reichstag?
Bethmann-Hollweg - and he had narrow support due to his very rightist views, which since the Bülow bloc’s collapse weren’t well represented in the Reichstag.
What did Bethmann-Hollweg do about the growing debt due to further military expansion?
He taxed spirits.
What tax did Bethmann-Hollweg implement in 1913 and why?
Inheritance tax, because Moltke wanted to increase the army by 20%
What was the result of the Zabern Affair?
The Reichstag passed a vote of no confidence in Bethmann-Hollweg but he was not removed because the Kaiser overruled it.
