Kaiserreich: 6 political, economic and social condition by 1914 Flashcards
1
Q
what was the political condition of Germany by 1914?
A
- new constitution 1871
- Bismarck initially relied on national Libs for support however mark of the Chancellor’s power was his ability to disregard them later on due to support from the cons and centre
- political support was tenuous by the 1880s
- Bismarck experienced increasing problems with the Reichstag
- Bismarck’s resignation in 1890 showed how vulnerable the Chancellor position was
- Wilhelm II had 4 chancellors that each depended on his whim
- fear of socialism
- industrialisation increased as well as right wing pressure groups and the pursuit of weltpolitik
- kaiser showed scant regard for democratic rule
- 1912 SPD were biggest party
2
Q
what was the economic condition of Germany by 1914?
A
- time of rapid and successful industrialisation with expansion in new and old industries
- wider availability of machinery, chemical fertilisers, etc.
- growth was uneven and some areas remained predominantly rural however the Ruhr, the Saar, Alsace Lorraine, Silesia, etc boomed
- Germans won 1/3 of all Nobel prizes between 1909-1914
- led the world in high tech industries such as chemicals, electronics, steel and cars
- economic concentration - creation of large firms and cartels that controlled single industries
- new economic giants such as Krupps, Thyssen (steel), Agfa (chemicals), Siemens, Bosch, AEG, Benz
ultimately Germany was transformed
3
Q
what was the social condition of Germany by 1914?
A
- 40% growth in population and rapid economic growth brought significant changes
- German workers were (mostly) better off than before - jobs plentiful, real wages rose
- working conditions poor and overcrowding rife
- middle classes fared well and there was dramatic expansion of white collar workers 1872 ratio of manual to white collar workers was 10.6:1 vs 1912 3.5:1 - more opportunities to advance up the social ladder
- core elite remained the Prussian Junker aristocracy
- culture of militarism penetrated society increasing the gap between the elite and the masses
