To what extent did Bismarck successfully achieve his political, goals in the years 1870-79? Flashcards
What were Bismarck’s goals?
Bismarck’s political goals were ones of achieving unity under Prussian dominance through nationalism, reducing divisions in order to create a ‘Reichdeuste’, a homogenous German conscience.
What inhibited the function of the Reichstag?
The chancellor could dissolve it at any time
What are the two categories?
Did succeed and didn’t succeed
Whilst the Reichstag could be dissolved by the chancellor, what meant that the people still had a degree of influence over it?
difficult to dissolve the Reichstag for every bill that was passed
What was the voting qualification for the Reichstag?
universal suffrage of all males of 25
What about the Reichstag suggests that it wasn’t allowing him to achieve his political goals?
The fact that Bismarck had to change the constitution regarding the Reichstag in the 1880s suggests that it was not supporting his political goals well enough in the preceding decade.
What about voting suggests that Bismarck was beginning to be successful in creating unity and people were starting to get behind his cause?
-The fact that in 1871 30% of the German population voted for a Pro-Bimarck party, the National Liberals, suggests that he is starting to succeed in creating unity behind him and his cause.
When in the time period did Bismarck achieve most unity?
Towards the beginning of the era Bismarck managed more political unity than at the end of the era.
In 1871, what percentage of people voted for the pro Bismarck National liberal party?
30.1%
In 1874, what percentage of people voted for the pro Bismarck National liberal party?
29.7%, though this dropped marginally from 1871, they remained the largest party in the Reichstag
Though the National Liberals, with whom Bismarck co-operated 1871-1879, were the largest party, how did they create division and prevent Bismarck achieving his goals?
They actually exacerbated north/south divisions and class divisions, as they were based in the North and represented educated and wealthy middle classes
How did the national liberal’s split fail to support Bismarck’s goals?
Towards the end of this era the split with the national liberals not only created political disunity in itself, but also precipitated a split within the national liberal’s voter base, causing social disunity.
What was the peak vote for smaller parties in the Reichstag?
10% was in 1878
What does the fact that the vote for smaller parties peaked in 1878 and then declined show?
The fact that their peak of 10% was in 1878 and reduced after that could be indicative of successful social integration of their political base, leading to political unity.
What did Bismarck’s tolerance of smaller parties allow?
marginal and minority groups to feel represented in the Reichstag
What impact did smaller parties have on the Reichstag?
-Smaller parties complicated proceedings and hampered some attempts to integrate and assimilate those who they represented fully into German Society.