Germany - 1.1.3 Changes in society

Question 1

Under Kaiser Wilhelm II, Germany rapidly industrialised. This created wealth but only for a few. A growing number of industrial workers were becoming dissatisfied, leading to the growth of ___________. Industrialisation, therefore, brought great benefits to Germany but also created difficulties for the Kaiser

Answer 1

Socialism

Question 2

During Industrialisation, what did Germany focus on?

Answer 2

Manufacturing, making goods & machinery, rather than agricultural production (farming)

Question 3

When did Industralisation happen

Answer 3

It began before 1890 but between 1890 and 1913 the speed of industrial growth was astonishing

Question 4

Which industries grew in Germany during Industrialisation?

Answer 4

• Chemical: coal
• Electrical: iron, steel
• Automobiles

Question 5

Which region in Germany powered Germany’s success?

Answer 5

Ruhr region

Question 6

When did Germany’s coal production rival Britain’s?

Answer 6

1914

Question 7

What was the coal, iron and steel used for?

Answer 7

• Build and fuel railways,
• Trains
• Ships
  This aided communications and trade

Question 8

By 1914, Germany was also out-producing the rest of Europe in ‘newer’ industries such as ___________ goods and __________

Answer 8

Electrical, chemicals

Question 9

When did Germany’s iron and steel production levels surpass British levels?

Answer 9

By World War One

Question 10

What was Industrialisation accompanied by?

Answer 10

Rapid urbanisation as people moved to towns and cities for work. Living conditions were poor; outbreaks of diseases such as cholera were common

Question 11

What were the impacts of industrialisation? (7)

Answer 11

• Growth of industrialisation led to the creation of better transport infrastructure including railways, trains and ships. This meant Germany could have communication lines and trade routes
• By 1914, Germany were world leaders in new industries such as electrical products, chemical products and automobiles
• Famous German automobile companies like Mercedes and Volkswagen grew to prominence
• High rates of immigration - provided more workers but fuelled social problems as hatred of foreigners grew
• Gaps between rich and poor grew
• Food was imported, expensive
• The German workers were becoming more unhappy with their low wages and poor working conditions leading to strikes to try to persuade the Kaiser to improve conditions

Question 12

What were the demographic changes in Germany? (3)

Answer 12

• Berlin’s population doubled between 1875 and 1910
• Urbanisation mean that 60% of Germans were living in towns and cities by 1910
• Because of this, living conditions were often bad and many people died from diseases (cholera was common)

Question 13

What is socialism?

Answer 13

The idea that the profits from industry should be shared equally between everyone in society - it was mainly workers who supported socialism

Question 14

When did the SDP hold the most seats in the Reichstag?

Answer 14

1912

Question 15

Describe the growth of socialism

Answer 15

Although some people became wealthier from industrialisation, most workers felt exploited. This led to the rise of socialism. In every election from 1890, the SDP won the most votes but it was not until 1912 that it held the most seats in the Reichstag

Question 16

Why was socialism a problem for Kaiser Wilhelm II?

Answer 16

In 1912 the SDP held the most seats in the Reichstag - this was a problem for Kaiser Wilhelm II as they consistently voted against some of the Kaiser’s desired laws. He could dismiss the Reichstag, which he did on several occasions, but the same or new members of the SDP were voted back in again

Question 17

Why did the government enact (make into law) social reform?

Answer 17

To get popular support and stop people supporting the SDP

Question 18

What changes did the (1891-1903) social reform bring? (5)

Answer 18

• In 1891, the Social Law made it illegal: for children under 13 to work, women to work more than 11 hours a day, and for anyone to work on a Sunday
• In 1900, reforms were introduced that increased the time workers could claim off work if they had suffered an accident
• Throughout the period, old age pensions and welfare provisions for those too ill or injured to work (introduced in 1890) were improved
• In 1901, industrial courts were created to settle disputed between employers and employees. This was compulsory in towns where the population was more than 20,000
• In 1903, health insurance was expanded

Question 19

Who put these social reforms forward and why?

Answer 19

Chancellor Caprivi - he believed that they would ease the pressure from socialism. However Kaiser Wilhelm II thought Caprivi was too socialist and dismissed him in 1894

Question 20

Who primarily supported Socialism in Germany under the Kaiser?

Answer 20

Workers

Question 21

Did the Kaiser and the German elite feel threatened by socialism before the First World War? (3)

Answer 21

• The central idea of socialism was that wealth should be shared between all members of society. This idea threatened the members of society who kept most of the profits from industry for themselves and exploited workers.
• The threat of socialism was very real. The SPD represented socialism in politics and by 1912 it was the party with the most seats in the Reichstag.
• The government clearly feared the power of the SPD and socialists because they put social reform into law. They thought that if they gave German workers a little bit of the change they wanted then they would remain loyal to the German state.