WW1 Highlighted The Existing Social And Political Tensions Which Divided Germany Before 1914

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

As you would expect, the war exaggerated many social and political tensions within Germany.

Debatable if these were heightened versions of old tensions or new tensions entirely

Question 2

What Is The Acronym?

Answer 2

FISP (Foof, Industry, SPD Growth, Peace)

Question 3

Social Tensions

Answer 3

Industrialisation and food.

Question 4

Industrialisation

Answer 4

People wanted better working conditions (pre). Was seen in a growth of pressure.

Small reforms made to satisfy people i.e. sickness insurance 26 week amendment 1903, childrens working law 1908. War exaggerated this a lot due to total warfare.

Shows how war heightened social tensions tensions relating to working conditions.

Question 5

Food

Answer 5

Problems with pre-war production like urbanisation leading to less farmers, advances in refrigerated shipping meaning cheap meat imports. During war had big issues with food production. Cold winter of 16-17. Messy supply/control system. Blockade bread/Erstatz goods. Polonaise queuing for rations. All left people thoroughly annoyed.

CAN BE SEEN AS NEW TENSION, BEFORE ALTHOUGH FOOD SUPPLY HAD ISSUES, DURING WAR SITUATION REACHED A WHOLE NEW LEVEL.

Could also be seen as just exaggeration.

Question 6

Political Tensions

Answer 6

Growth of SPD, Weltpolitik to peace

Question 7

Growth of SPD

Answer 7

Pre war grew hugely. By 1912 elections got 4,250,000 votes due to working class becoming more politically minded.

At start of war tension reduced significantly. By end of war was huge.

Big strikes. SPD split to USPD 1917. Shows how growth of SPD was heightened.

Question 8

Weltpolitik to peace

Answer 8

Pre war foreign policy was focused upon Weltpolitik and Flattenpolitic. By end of war, focused on achieving peace. This was polar opposite. Entirely new tension arose of PWOV and PWV.

THIS SHOWS ENTIRELY DIFFERENT POLITICAL TENSION CAUSED BY WAR, NOT ONE WHICH WAS HEIGHTENED.

Question 9

Conclusion

Answer 9

Do see expected heightening of old issues and tensions i.e. from industrialisation and SPD growth. But also see entirely new tensions arise such as the issue of victorious peace and the severe food struggle.

Question 10

When was the cold winter?

Answer 10

1916-17

Question 11

How many votes did SPD get in 1912 election?

Answer 11

4,250,000

Question 12

When did the SPD split to the USPD?

Answer 12

1917