Germany (Germany and growth of democracy)

Question 1

How was Germany ruled also give context to German doctrine.

Answer 1

Prior to unification Germany, was made up of several states with Prussia being the strongest. When Germany unified Prussian officers and generals formed to base of the new German army (Highly militarised)

The Kaiser ruled over all the states in Germany as a monarch

Kaiser supported by advisors or ministers. Chief minister Chancelor.
with a Reichstag (parlement). Would discuss and vote on laws Kaiser and his minsters made

Question 2

Who was Kaiser Wilhelm II

Answer 2

• Grandson of Queen Victoria
• Wanted Germany to industrialise Germany to match Britian.
• Keen interest in making a strong German army and making Germany as strong as Britian

Question 3

Protecting new empire

Answer 3

Germany wanted large navy to protect its empire. New naval laws were introduced between 1898 - 1912 which increased size of navy but increased tax

Question 3

Parliamentary government and growth of socialism

Answer 3

• Germany very wealthy as a result of extreme industrialisation and many landowners and factory owners became very rich.
• However, many workers became unhappy since they had to work long shifts in unsafe condition, so working-class people formed trade unions and organised strikes in hopes of getting the government to improve working conditions
• Many Germans voted for socialist parties, which believed in wealth and power should be shared with all the people.
• One in three Germans voted for this party
• some extremist socialist who wanted to rebel against the Kaiser and have towns governed by council of workers

Question 4

‘A Place in the Sun’

Answer 4

• Many other countries like Britian and France had large empires
• The Kaiser wanted Germany to have an extensive empire and transform Germany to a global power.
• This idea was known as ‘Weltpolitik,’ meaning ‘world policy,’

Question 5

Germany at War and effects on Germans

Answer 5

Germans soon started to suffer in war since Britan blockade Germany

Question 6

Impact of War

Answer 6

By 1918, Germany was close to collapse

• Food shortages and flu hurt German people
• War almost lost, General Ludendorff told politicians Germany could not win war told Kaiser to give power away to make people happy
• Kaiser reluctantly shared power but too late and Kaiser had to abdicate.

Question 7

Mutiny and revolution in WW1

Answer 7

• 28 October 1918, German navy went on mutiny when ordered to attack British ships.
• Other ports heard of mutiny and joined
• Solders sent to stop them joined in and took over towns setting up special councils to run them.
• Soon major cities like Hamburg and Muich were being governed by soldiers
• Kaiser having no choice abdicated on 9 November 1918

Question 8

End of the War

Answer 8

• Friedrick Ebert took the Kaiser place as Leader of Germany, on a temporary basis.
• This was because he was the leader of Germany’s largest political party the SPD.

Question 9

Impact of war on Germany in 1918

Answer 9

Germany was virtually bankrupt

• ## Germany had borrowed money from USAGermany had lent money to allies, which would most likely not be paid back
• German factories exhausted from the war. They had also been focusing on arms not goods to sell abroad

War had divided German society

• Some German factory owners had made a fortune in the war while German workers had restrictions put on wages.
• Women worked in factories during war, some Germans thought this destroyed traditional family values.

Germany had become more politicly unstable

• Before war Germany had been rich stable nation, now there was mutiny and revolution
• Many soldiers and civilians believed they could have won war but robbed by ‘November criminals,’ politicians.