Topic 1: Kaiser Wilhelm and the difficulties of ruling Germany Flashcards
Who was Kaiser Wilhelm II?
- Kaiser Wilhelm was the Kaiser of Germany for 30 years, from 1888 until his abdication in 1918.
- He did not believe in democracy and waned to be the only ruler of Germany.
- As Kaiser he had the ultimate power, there was a German parliament called the Reichstag but it had little power.
What were Kaiser Wilhelm’s aims?
1) Control the political system - He wanted to be the only ruler of Germany.
2) Make Germany a leading world power - He wanted Germany to play a leading part in world politics.
Factors that could help him reach his aims
- The German economy - It was growing rapidly, by 1914 Germany produces 1/3 of the world’s electrical goods.
- Industrialisation - Between 1890 and 1920 the German population increased from 49 to 65 million. Many people moved to work in industry.
- The German army - It was under command of the Kaiser and was admired by the German people.
Factors that made it difficult to reach his goals
- Influence of Prussian militarism - Prussia was the most important German state and made up over half of Germany’s territory and 2/3 of its population.
- The Junkers - Powerful Prussian landowners who dominated German politics. Also held key positions in the army.
- Trade Unions - Many industrial workers joined trade unions which demanded better pay and working conditions. If they organised strikes, Germany’s economy would suffer.
What was the German political system?
1) The Kaiser: hereditary position, had the job for life, controlled the army, could propose laws.
2) The Chancellor and government: appointed by the Kaiser, gov was made up of ministers who helped the Kaiser run the country, chancellor was the most important minister, chancellor proposed laws to the Reichstag, chancellor was answerable only to the Kaiser.
3)The Reichstag (parliament): member elected every 3 weeks, could agree or reject laws, had to agree on how money was collected and spent.
4) The electorate: men over 25 who could vote for member of the Reichstag.
What did Wilhelm rely on to pass his laws?
- Many political parties were trying to win the votes of the German people.
- Wilhelm relied on the support of right-wing political parties like German conservatives to pass his laws.
- However during the 1900’s, right wing parties started to decline in power. Left wing parties who wanted changes became more popular.
How did socialism grow?
- Industrialisation made the working class grow and people who had moved to work in new factories wanted improvements to their working and living conditions.
- Most workers voted for the social democrats and by 1912 they were the largest party in the Reichstag.
Relations between the Kaiser and the Reichstag became strained as Germany was becoming divided. Right wing wanted things to stay the same whereas left wing wanted to see change.
Who were left wing liberals?
They wanted to create a parliament democracy, where the government were responsible to the Reichstag.
Who were the social democrats?
They were socialists who wanted major reforms to improve living and working conditions for the working class.
How did the Kaiser deal with demands for social reform?
He responded with reforms and repression.
Reforms : Sunday working was banned, children under 13 couldn’t be employed, good prices were lowered, workers pension and insurance benefits were extended.
Repression: Wilhelm felt threatened by the social democrats so he attacked their offices and their leader were out in trial, in 1898 he declared any worker who went on strike was to be put in prison.
What was Weltpolitik?
The Kaiser wanted an overseas empire to provide resources for and the markets to grow the German economy. This idea was known as Weltpolitik (meaning world policy)
Why did Admiral Von Tirpitz want more large battleships?
- The Kaiser wanted a navy to match the British.
- The admiral believed that a strong navy would frighten the British, and they wouldn’t try to stop Germany from building an overseas empire.
- He was made Secretary of State of Navy in 1897.
- By 1913 their army had grown to over 800,000, which threatened Russia and France
What were the Navy laws?
They needed the support of the Reichstag to grant them money to build new battleships.
1) In 1898 it was agreed that 7 more battleships would be built over the next 3 years.
2) In 1900 the 2nd naval law doubled the size of the German navy, the total number of battleships now 38.
What were the consequences?
- Battleships we’re expensive si naval expansion increased gov debt significantly and increased taxes.
- Britain grew worried so they built up the strength of its own navy and formed an alliance with France and Russia. Germany formed an alliance with Austria-Hungary and Italy.
