germany - chapter 1 Flashcards
(32 cards)
when was the unification of germany
1871
what was it like before the unification of germany
Prussia was the most powerful germanic state
what belief was important to prussia
militarism - the belief that a country should have a strong armed forces
what was prussia’s military like
it had a mighty army equipped with the msot advanced weaponry
when germany was unified, what happened to the prussian army
prussian generals, army officers and tactics formed the basis of the new united german army - and the german kaiser was its supreme commander
what did the kaiser do
ruled over all states in germany
what did all states send to the kaiser
each state sent representatives (known collectively as the bundesrat) to consult with the kaiser over new laws
who was the kaiser supported by
- advisors or ministers, and the chief minister was called the Chancellor
- there was a parliament (Reichstag) which was elected by all men over 25
what did the Reichstag do
discussed and voted on the laws that the kaiser and his minsters drew up
-> the Bundesrat discussed these laws too
what was one of the problems faced by the kaisers gov
the kaiser could choose to ignore their advice and make all the decisions he wanted to on his own
what did the kaiser make all the decisions on
kaiser made all decisions that related to the army, navy and other foreign countries
when did Wilhelm become kaiser and how old was he
1888
he was 29
who was kaiser wilhelm
- grandson of Queen Victoria
- cousin of Britain’s future king, George V
when wilhem became kaiser, what was britain like
britain was the world most powerful country; it had the largest empire and dominated world trade
what did wilhem wish for germany and what did he do
to make germany as great as britain
he began by building up germany’s industry (industrialisation)
who supported the industrialisation of germany
rich, powerful businessmen
what was germany like by 1913
it was producing more iron and steel and as much coal as britain
in industries such as electrical goods and chemicals, German companies dominated europe
what was the result of industrialisation in germany
many landowners, business and factory owners became very rich
after the industrialisation, who had lots of influence with the kaiser
landowners, business and factory owners
noble army officers
who was unhappy after the industrialisation
many workers in the new factories, mines and workshops were unhappy because their wages were low, working conditions were poor, and food was expensive
what did the working class do because they were unhappy
joined trade unions and organised strikes in the hope that this might force the kaiser, his advisors and the politicians in the Reichstag to try to improve their conditions
which party did many ordinary workers begin to vote for
a new political party called the Social Democratic Party (SPD)
what did the SPD believe in
socialism - the idea that power and wealth should be shared equally among the people
what did the SPD hope for
they hoped the kaiser might share some of his power, and allow the Reichstag to make more social reforms or laws to improve workers’ rights and conditions
