Wilhelm - politics

Question 1

What was Wilhelm’s intention as the Kaiser?

Answer 1

Wilhelm intended to rule as well as reign, he believed in the divine right of Kings.

Question 2

What rank did Wilhelm hold in the navy?

Answer 2

He held the rank of Admiral in the British Navy

Question 3

Who did Wilhelm surround himself with?

Answer 3

He surrounded himself with military people, however, he had a close friend - Philipp zu Eulenburg - who was more sensitive and artistic.

Question 4

Before becoming chancellor, who was Caprivi?

Answer 4

He served in the Prussian army in both the Austro-Prussian and Franco Prussian wars

Question 5

What type of Chancellor was Caprivi?

Answer 5

He showed as chancellor that he had some administrative experience and was regarded as a moderniser.

Question 6

What did the historian Layton say about Caprivi?

Answer 6

Caprivi was ‘more astute and independent minded than the Kaiser had bargained for’

Question 7

What did Caprivi want for German politics?

Answer 7

Aimed to give ministers more influence over policy making
Develop greater co-operation with the Reichstag
Social reform

Question 8

What did Wilhelm call the Reichstag and what does this show?

Answer 8

He called the Reichstag the “ape house”, reflecting his resistance to reform.

Question 9

When did Caprivi let the Anti-Socialist laws lapse and what was his solution to the Socialist problem?

Answer 9

1890, instead aimed to take support away from the Socialists.

Question 10

What did Caprivi do in 1891 to draw support away from the Socialists?

Answer 10

Forbade Sunday working and established a guaranteed minimum wage.

Question 11

What restriction did Caprivi put on 13-18 year olds?

Answer 11

Were restricted to a maximum day of 10 hours (working under 13 was forbidden)

Question 12

What did Caprivi set up in July 1890?

Answer 12

Industrial tribunals were set up to arbitrate in wage disputes

Question 13

How did Caprivi change work for women?

Answer 13

Hours of work for women were reduced to a maximum of 11 hours

Question 14

What did Caprivi’s finance bill introduce?

Answer 14

Progressive income tax - where tax is relative to income

Question 15

How did Caprivi reform the Tariff Act of 1879?

Answer 15

Duties on imported wheat, rye, cattle and timber were reduced under two trade treaties of 1891 and 1894.

Question 16

What compromises did Caprivi make with the Reichstag over the army?

Answer 16

Compromised with the Reichstag in 1893 - in order to get support for the Army bill of 1892 in order to increase the size of the army by 84,000
Agreed to reduce military service from 3 years to 2 years.
Allowed the Reichstag to discuss the military budget every 5 years instead of every 7 years.

Question 17

What role did Botho zu Eulenburg play?

Answer 17

He was the Prussian Minister-President. Supported the Conservative opposition to Caprivi and encouraged the Kaiser to ignore the wishes of his chancellor.

Question 18

Give an example of the Kaiser interfering with Caprivi.

Answer 18

Caprivi wanted to give both Protestant and Catholic Church authorities more control over education
Wilhelm didn’t want to have to rely on the Centre Party to pass the bill
Forced Caprivi to withdraw the proposed legislation.

Question 19

What issue led to Caprivi’s resignation?

Answer 19

Growth of the SPD and attacks by anarchists throughout Europe convinced the Kaiser that Anti-Socialist laws were needed again - Caprivi refused to introduce this.

Question 20

What did Eulenburg suggest to the Kaiser to do in order to pass the Anti-Socialist laws?

Answer 20

Tried to get the Kaiser to go to the Reichstag with the bill and if that failed, then he should rule without the parliament, however, Caprivi talked the Kaiser out of this but then resigned.

Question 21

What did Caprivi say when he resigned?

Answer 21

“My relations with the All Highest have become intolerable.”

Question 22

Who was Hohenlohe?

Answer 22

He was 75 years old, had very minimal political experience, so posed no threat to the Kaiser.
Bavarian aristocrat and Catholic, but disliked the the Zentrum and didn’t oppose the Kulturkampf
He was against the ‘socialist threat’

Question 23

What did the Kaiser call Hohenlohe and why?

Answer 23

A ‘straw doll’ - he was easily bent to the Kaiser’s will

Question 24

How did Hohenlohe attempt to deal with the ‘socialist threat’?

Answer 24

He attempted to introduce two bills to oppress socialism - Subversion bill in 1894 and the Anti-Union Bill 1899 - these proposed stiffer penalties for subversion and trade union activity but were thrown out by the Reichstag.

Question 25

What ultimately led to Hohenlohe’s resignation?

Answer 25

It was an issue concerning policy towards China that a disagreement between the Kaiser and his chancellor gave Hohenlohe the excuse to resign