1890-1914: Pre-war Empire Under Wilhelm II Flashcards
Significance if Pan-German league in terms of nationalist ideas?
Grossdeutschland revived. Fichte’s ideology of uniting across all regional characteristics revived.
When were the leagues formed?
Colonial League 1887
Pan German League 1891
Navy League 1898
What was Weltpolitik and why was it introduced?
Interests in international colonies and status. Introduced to mask internal political and social divisions.
Significance of the leagues in terms of popularity of Nationalism?
Nationalism was diversifying.
Leagues were anti establishment as they pressurised government to change.
But nationalism also pro and part of establishment.
When and why did romanticism revive during Wilhelm’s reign?
- Outbursts of poetry and literature. Navy league. National pride
When did Germany gain land abroad?
1899: purchase of Pacific islands from Spain.
1905, 1911: gained land in Central Africa due to Moroccan Crises.
What event showed Prussian ambition and pride 1899-1903?
Building of the Berlin-Baghdad railway.
What was the Daily Telegraph Affair 1908 and what were it’s consequences?
Humiliating article published in Daily Telegraph after Wilhelm’s interview with a British Journalist. Demonstration of Weltpolitik.
Bulow became unpopular as he approved the article carelessly.
Army recruits in 1908 stats? Relating to economic growth.
Only 39 out of 160,588 were illiterate.
Expanding rate of education fed Wilhelm’s military ambition.
1912 constitutional crisis and division?
SPD won 110 seats in Reichstag and had 1/3 of popular vote.
International aims to mask internal political divisions.
