kaiserreich 1871-1914 Flashcards
(14 cards)
what was the role of the emperor ?
A symboloic and practical leader of the German empire. Controlled the military and involved in foreign policy. Could appoint his own chancellor.
What was the role of the chancellor
Head of government and answered only to the Emperor. Chancellor proposed laws, controlled foreign policy and administered the empire. Otto Von Bismark was the first chancellor.
what party was the largest in Germany kaiserreich. Name the other parties.
The National Liberals were the largest.
Centre party- Represented Catholic interests
The SPD- socilaist movement, representing the working class.
Conservative party-opposed socialist ideologied, Bismarks strongest allies
Why did the National Liberals support Bismark ?
Supported Bismark because they shared with Bismark a common fear of the risk of socialism. Both feared German catholics, they united against the Centre party.
What was the main reason for the split between the National liberals in 1880
Debate over free trade vs protectionism was welcomed by Bismark, gave him an oppurtunity to break the National Liberals. The left wing National Liberals wanted to continue with free trade, the more right wing National Liberals, especially farmers wanted to abandon free trade and introduce tariffs. Bismark launched a campaign denouncing supporters of free trade as traitors, proclaiming it was patriotic to support protectionism because it protected Germany against foreign competition.
What was the Kulturkampf
Conflict between bismark and the Roman catholic church. Bismark saw the success of the catholic centre paarty in 1871 as a danger to the Empires unity, he thought that the Centre politicians would encourage civil disobedience.
what were the Reasons for the kultrkampf ?
- Two thirds of Germans were protestant. One third were catholic
- In 1870 the Vatican council laid down the doctrine of papal infallibility. This ruled that Papal pronoucements on matters of faith and morals could not be questioned
- The papal measures caused great alarm. Germanys most enlightened men believed the future of mankind was at stake.
What were Bismarks offensive actions to the papal infallibity ? (Kultrakampf)
1.Establishment of laws allowing state authorities to inspect Catholic schools and banning the jesuit preistly order from Germany.
2.1873-Prusiian May Laws- range of laws allowing state power over the edducation and appointment of preists.
3.Bread basket law- withdrew financial support from any priest who did not publically declare his suport for the German state.
How did the kultrakampf fail ?
Kultrakampf failed to achieve its goals, attack by German state strenghtned Catholic support for the Centre party. During the kultrakampf the centre party vote increased from 18.6% in 1871 to 27.9% in 1874 and by 1878 they were the biggest party in the Reichstag, with the same vote as the National Liberals.
However Bismarks views towards Catholics may have shaped German culture, as being catholic became a issue in terms of fincing employment. In terms of education, Portestant males were 50% more likely to go to university.
What is meant by Reichsfeinde
Enemies of the Empire
German nationalism became a key governemnt aim. How was this conducted ?
1.Primary, high schools and universities were required to teach nationalism as a subject. School ciriculum focused on the values of loyalty to the kaiser and obedience to the kaiserreich.
2.School enforced the teaching of Grrman over Polish or French.
What were Bismarks views on Nationalism
Argued Nationalism could be used to mobilise the public opinion in favour of governement, and be used to supress the threat of Reichsfiende. Targeting off alleged enemies of Germany was intended to achieve 2 key goals: integration of German people and to divert attention to supposed threat and away from the call for greater democratic reform in the German political system.
Explain the forming of the SPD and its aims
In 1869, Social Democratic workers party, committed to the overthrow of the bourgeoisie. In 1875 revolutionary socialists united to form the Social Democratic party (SPD). Party declared aim was to overthrow the exisiting order. Also declared it would only use legal means in the struggle for economic and political freedom.
What was Bismarks relationship with the SPD
Bismark was hostile to socialists, regarding them as revoliutionary and little better than criminals. In 1878 for example, Bismark used 2 assasination attempts on Wilhelm I, declared socialists were behind the attempts and they were a threat to Germany. An anti-socialist was passed in October 1878. Prohibited socialist meetings and gave the police to randomly search, arrest and exile socialist politicians. The law was called ‘the law for combating the criminals Aims of social Democracy’
