Germany Strengthens

Question 1

– the “battle for civilization” in which Bismarck took several measures to make Catholics put loyalty to the state above allegiance to the Church.

Answer 1

Kulturkampf

Question 2

– the kaiser of Germany beginning

in 1888, who asked Bismarck to resign

Answer 2

William II

Question 3

– programs to help certain groups of people in a society

Answer 3

social welfare

Question 4

How did Germany increase its power after unifying in 1871?

Answer 4

It increased its power by becoming an industrial giant.

Question 5

What Happened After Germany Unified?

Answer 5

After Germany unified, it became the industrial leader of the European continent.

Question 6

How did Germany become the industrial leader?

Answer 6

• Germany’s iron and coal resources, as well as its disciplined workforce, helped make this possible.
• The nation had a rapidly growing population, which fed industrialization.
• Germany had also laid the groundwork for progress
in the 1850s and 1860s by founding large manufacturing companies and building railroads.

Question 7

Why did government and industrialists support scientific research and economic development?

Answer 7

• Scientists were encouraged to develop new materials and were hired to solve technical problems in factories.
• The government issued a single currency, reorganized the banking system, and coordinated railroad lines among the various German states.
• During a worldwide depression in the late 1800s, Germany raised tariffs to protect home industries from foreign competition.

Question 8

How did Bismarck pursue several foreign policy goals as the “Iron Chancellor” of Germany.

Answer 8

• He wanted to keep France weak and sought strong links with Austria and Russia.
• He did not want to compete with British naval power.

Question 9

Why and how Bismarck began the Kulturkampf, a campaign against the Catholic Church, in 1871?

Answer 9

• He distrusted Catholics because he believed their first loyalty was to the pope instead of the German state.
• He had laws passed that increased state power
over Church actions.
• When Catholics rallied behind the Church, Bismarck ended the Kulturkampf in 1878.
• Bismarck dissolved socialist groups, shut down their newspapers, and banned their meetings.
• He worried that socialists would create a revolution among German workers.

Question 10

Bismarck sponsored laws to protect workers.

Answer 10

• His goal was to woo workers away from socialism.
• Germany became a leader in social reform with its health and old-age insurance.
• Still, the socialist Social Democratic party continued to grow. By 1912, it held the most seats in the Reichstag, Germany’s legislature.

Question 11

William II succeeded his grandfather William I as kaiser in 1888.

Answer 11

• He asked Bismarck to resign as chancellor, saying, “There is only one master in the Reich, and that is I.”
• He believed that his right to rule came from God.

Question 12

William was very confident and wanted to leave his mark.

Answer 12

• His government provided social welfare programs and services, such as public transportation, electricity, and excellent public schools.
• He also developed the already huge German military, hoping to win an overseas empire like those of Britain and France.