Bismarck 1871 to 1890

Question 1

What party did Bismarck align himself with from 1871 to 1879?

Answer 1

National Liberals

Question 2

What party/parties did Bismarck align himself with from 1879 to 1890?

Answer 2

The Conservatives

Question 3

How many seats did the National Liberals win in 1871?

Answer 3

125

Question 4

How many seats did the National Liberals win in 1890?

Answer 4

42

Question 5

How many seats did the Centre Party (Zentrum) win in 1871?

Answer 5

58

Question 6

How many seats did the Centre Party (Zentrum) win in 1890?

Answer 6

106

Question 7

How many seats did the SPD win in 1871?

Answer 7

2

Question 8

How many seats did the SPD win in 1890?

Answer 8

35

Question 9

When and what was the Anti-Socialist Bill?

Answer 9

1878, it banned socialist organisations (such as TUs), broke up socialist meetings, and outlawed socialist publications.

Question 10

What were the results of the Anti-Socialist Bill?

Answer 10

1500 socialists were imprisoned from 1878 to 1890 and many emigrated

It didn’t work as the SPD continued to gain seats, with 12 in 1881, 24 in 1884, and 35 in 1890.

Question 11

What happened when Bismarck tried to make the Anti-Socialist Bill permanent?

Answer 11

The Reichstag rejected this permanent bill in 1890, contributing towards his resignation the same year.

Question 12

When and what was the Kulturkampf?

Answer 12

Measures taken against the Catholic Church from 1872 to 1878 in order to try and bring it under state control.

Question 13

What were the results of the Kulturkampf?

Answer 13

The Centre Party still gained popularity, winning 91 seats in 1874.

It was ended in 1878 as Bismarck accepted it had failed, and wanted to focus on the threat of socialism.

Question 14

Using statistics, what happened to Germany’s production levels between 1870 and 1890?

Answer 14

Coal production went from 38 million tonnes in 1870 to 89 million tonnes in 1890

Steel production went from 0.3 million tonnes in 1870 to 2.2 million tonnes in 1890

Railway networks doubled in size

Question 15

What was the Eternal Law and the Septennial Law?

Answer 15

The Eternal Law tried to make the Army Budget permanent, but was rejected by the Reichstag

The Septennial Law fixed the Army Budget for 7 years

Question 16

When and what was the Tariff Act under Bismarck?

Answer 16

It placed tariffs on imports in 1879 to encourage people to buy German goods locally.

Question 17

What were the political consequences of the Tariff Act?

Answer 17

The National Liberals split, leading to the end of the Liberal era as Bismarck aligned himself with the Conservatives.

Question 18

Name the three main acts which were part of State Socialism under Bismarck, and when they were passed.

Answer 18

Sickness Insurance Act (1883)

Accident Insurance Act (1884)

Old Age & Disability Act (1889)

Question 19

What was the Sickness Insurance Act?

Answer 19

Provided medical treatment and up to 13 weeks of sick pay to 3 million low paid workers.

Question 20

What was the Accident Insurance Act?

Answer 20

Gave protection to a worker who was permanently disabled/sick for 13+ weeks.

Question 21

What was the Old Age & Disability Act?

Answer 21

Gave pensions to over 70s and disablement pensions for those who were younger & disabled.