1890-1918: The Kaiser

Question 1

Who ruled Germany between 1890 and 1918?

Answer 1

Kaiser Wilhelm II

Question 2

When did several independent states join together to form the united country of Germany?

Answer 2

1871 (after victory in the Franco-Prussian War)

Question 3

Why was Prussia so powerful in Germany?

Answer 3

It was the largest state with two-thirds of the territory and half the population. It had a very proud and large army that sure an oath to the Kaiser. Some other states felt powerless to influence German policy.

Question 4

What was the political structure of the German Empire?

Answer 4

Kaiser (emperor) appoints Chancellor Chancellor (prime minister) has power over policies and appointments Reichstag (parliament) limited power and could be ignored by Chancellor and Kaiser All men over 25 can vote for members of the Reichstag

Question 5

As chancellor in the 1870s and 1890s what did Bismark do to unify Germany?

Answer 5

• national coinage - postal service - laws - railway - army - assimilated ethnic groups (Poles, Danes, French)

Question 6

Why was Wilhelm II’s character unsuitable in his position as an active and ambitious Kaiser?

Answer 6

• unstable mood - violent rages - aware as commander-in-chief of the armed forces that he had a withered left hand - lacked the ability to govern effectively

Question 7

What does WELTPOLITIK mean?

Answer 7

World policy (focus on international policy and status)

Question 8

What was the ‘Scramble for Africa’?

Answer 8

European powers seized colonies in Africa to build overseas empires

Question 9

How did Germany’s industry grow under Wilhelm II?

Answer 9

• Twice as much steel as Britain - 1/3 of the world’s electrical goods - Most advanced telephone system - World leaders in chemical and steel industries - Siemens and Bosch

Question 10

How did Germany’s population change between 1871 and 1914?

Answer 10

40 million (1871) to 68 million (1914)

Question 11

What was the advantage of population growth?

Answer 11

It provided manpower for growing industries, allowing huge industrialisation to occur

Question 12

What was the disadvantage of population growth?

Answer 12

-More workers in industrial cities, so less in agriculture leading to demand for food produce from abroad -huge increase in the labour force meant a growing demand for socialism and workers rights - threat of communism

Question 13

What were the Naval Laws?

Answer 13

A series of laws passed by Wilhelm II with the support of Admiral Von Tirpitz to expand the German army and rival the British Royal Navy

Question 14

What and when was the First Naval Law?

Answer 14

In 1898: 7 new battleships (to add to current 12) so that Germany could help gain and protect a global empire.

Question 15

What and when was the Second Naval Law?

Answer 15

In 1900: Doubled size of the fleet to 38 battleships to compete with Britain

Question 16

Why did Germans believe they would win the war?

Answer 16

The Naval Laws meant they could compete with Britain - Strong sense of patriotism meant Germans saw it as their duty to win the war for the nation - Industrialisation - Propaganda

Question 17

What was the impact of the First World War on Germany?

Answer 17

-German army was defeated -Germany was virtually bankrupt -Huge famine and people were dying from starvation -Industrial production decreased by 1/3

Question 18

What happened at Kiel?

Answer 18

In November 1918, the German navy rebelled and caused a mutiny in the port of Kiel. They refused to go to war because of the conditions they were forced to work.

Question 19

When did the Kaiser abdicate?

Answer 19

9th November 1918 - he fled to the Netherlands

Question 20

When was the armistice signed?

Answer 20

11th November 1918 by the new government quickly set up the previous day

Question 21

What were those who signed the armistice known as?

Answer 21

November Criminals