Kaiser Reich 1900-1914

Question 1

In the constitution who were the army responsible to?

Answer 1

They were outside the constitution as an AUTONOMOUS body- only responsible to the Kaiser. They were much admired as they had been crucial in Germany’s reunification

Question 2

What were the four key powers the Kaiser held?

Answer 2

1)Controlled the army 2)Controlled foreign policy 3)Could dissolve the R’stag 4)Appointed/dismissed the Chancellor

Question 3

What made the R’stag especially democratic?

Answer 3

It had universal male suffrage for those over 25 and represented all 25 federal states

Question 4

Who was the Chancellor from 1871-1890?

Answer 4

Chancellor Bismarck

Question 5

At what age did Kaiser Wilhelm II ascend the throne?

Answer 5

29

Question 6

How did Kaiser Wilhelm II rule?

Answer 6

1) Contempt for democracy 2)Didn’t think he should share power with the R’stag 3)Wanted glory and relied on the army

Question 7

From what class were all the chancellors from and who were they responsible to?

Answer 7

Junker Class and solely to the Kaiser (not the R’stag)

Question 8

What was the Bundesrat?

Answer 8

1) Law-making upper house in Federal Parliament 2)Barrier to RADICAL legislation

Question 9

How many seats did Prussia hold in the Bundesrat?

Answer 9

17/58

Question 10

Who succeeded Bismarck until 1894?

Answer 10

Chancellor von Caprivi

Question 11

What did the R’stag control and who controlled it?

Answer 11

Finance of Defence budget. Elected via Universal male suffrage. Kaiser could dissolve it. No control of laws, army or chancellor.

Question 12

What were the dates Chancellor Hohenloe was in office?

Answer 12

1894-1900

Question 13

What are the 3 strengths of the constitution?

Answer 13

Universal Male suffrage. Could address domestic issues. Strong individuals made effective government.

Question 14

Who was chancellor from 1900 - 1909?

Answer 14

Chancellor von Bulow

Question 15

What are 3 main weaknesses of the constitution?

Answer 15

Kaiser has too much power. Army only loyal to Kaiser. Contempt for democracy from the powerful men.

Question 16

When was Bethmann-Hollweg chancellor?

Answer 16

1909-1917

Question 17

What are the 1912 election results for the SPD?

Answer 17

110 seats WON from 56 —- 4.25 million votes

Question 18

How do the consequences of the 1912 election suggest policy was driven by the people?

Answer 18

*Rich Industrialists wanted a greater say in politics *Rapid growth of pressure groups (Trade Unionism)–> WELTPOLITIK headed by the Kaiser for galvanising

Question 19

Did government adapt to urbanisation and the growing cities?

Answer 19

NO— there was no change in representation in the Bundesrat

Question 20

What improved as the consequence of urbanisation?

Answer 20

1)LARGER markets and workforces 2)Sanitation and birthrate 3)Increased wages 4)Lower infant mortality

Question 21

Why were the workers inclined towards the left-wing?

Answer 21

The workers were dissatisfied from INDUSTRIALISATION - poverty; little accommodation; overcrowding

Question 22

Why is socialism considered partly to be a pressure group?

Answer 22

Links with Trade Unionism —split between revision and revolution but politically isolated

Question 23

What were the 3 main NATIONALIST pressure groups?

Answer 23

1)German Colonial League 2)The Pan German League 3)Navy League

Question 24

What were the two economic pressure groups?

Answer 24

Central association of German Industrialists and the Agrarian League

Question 25

What major reform occurred in 1898 and who orchestrated it?

Answer 25

The Flottenpolitik created by Admiral von Tirpitz

Question 26

Who was in support of the Flottenpolitik and why?

Answer 26

The Kaiser because... *Large Navy for colonies *Challenge Royal Navy *Use in Brinkmanship against French *Rallied by Naval League

Question 27

What was von Bulow's big reform and why was it created?

Answer 27

SAMMLUNGSPOLITIK (policy of concentration/protectionalism)

Question 28

who was involved in the Sammlungspolitik?

Answer 28

Conservatives, liberals, Junkers and Industrialists AGAINST the SPD

Question 29

What reform was made to the 'Old Age and Invalidity Law'?

Answer 29

Amended to increase pensions and extend compulsory insurance (von Bulow's minor reform)

Question 30

What law was introduced in 1903 as one of von Bulow's minor reforms?

Answer 30

Sickness Insurance Law (allowing sick leave)

Question 31

In which year were the restrictions on hours of work for children initiated?

Answer 31

1908

Question 32

What do both the Weltpolitik and Sammlungspolitik show?

Answer 32

The SYNTHESIS of popular pressure of the pressure groups and government policy

Question 33

What did the Weltpolitik aim at and was it successful?

Answer 33

+German expansion in gaining colonies +galvanised country for nationalism // -only gained some strips in the congo

Question 34

When was the Herero uprising?

Answer 34

January 1904

Question 35

What happened at the Herero uprising?

Answer 35

German people in South West Africa revolted and the army killed 65,000/80,000 inhabitants

Question 36

What did the Herero uprising show?

Answer 36

Kaiser's control is slipping

Question 37

How many marks did the Herero scandal cost?

Answer 37

456 million marks

Question 38

What was the result of the Hottentot election? Which year was it?

Answer 38

May 1906 | von Bulow won a majority through scaring voters of a socialist majority

Question 39

What happened in October 1908?

Answer 39

The Daily Telegraph Affair (DTA)

Question 40

What did the Kaiser say in the Daily Telegraph Affair?

Answer 40

The British are 'mad, mad, mad as march hares'

Question 41

What were 2 outcomes from the DTA?

Answer 41

1)Kaiser has a very weak grasp on diplomacy 2)Chancellors are disposable- von Bulow blamed for event and dismissed

Question 42

What were 3 minor reforms that Chancellor Bethmann-Hollweg initiated?

Answer 42

1)1911 Imperial Insurance Code (Increased insurance for 'white collar' workers 2)Introduced a constitution for Alsace in 1911 = 'more German' 3)Seized Polish owned estates and gave them to German peasants

Question 43

What happened in 1913?

Answer 43

The Zabern Incident

Question 44

Why did the Zabern Incident undermine Bethmann-Hollweg's attempt to make Alsace closer to Germany?

Answer 44

Alsace inhabitants HATED German army after * Racist officer called them 'square heads' * Then arrogantly walked through the streets and was JEERED

Question 45

What are the 4 key mistakes the Kaiser makes when dealing with the Zabern Incident?

Answer 45

1)On a hunting expedition 2)Refuses to see the governor of Alsace 2)Only listened to the army 4)Ignores the R'stag

Question 46

How do the R'stag react at the Kaiser's actions of 1913?

Answer 46

Vote of no confidence in B-H. Now more willing to criticise the Kaiser.

Question 47

By 1914 what was the influence of the left?

Answer 47

* SPD gained a majority in 1912 election * Indirectly caused welfare reforms though pressure * Represent industrial workers

Question 48

What stopped the left wing gaining greater power?

Answer 48

They couldn't enter the Bundesrat due to voting and POLITICALLY ISOLATED