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Germany1: The Kaiserreich 1871-1914 > Political Events > Flashcards

Political Events Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the political events that occur between 1900-1913?

A

1900 Bulow becomes Chancellor
1902 Tariff reform
1904-5 Herero Uprising
1906 Budget Crisis
1907 Hottentot Election
1907 Eulenburg election
1908 Daily Telegraph Affair
1912 Reichstag election
1913 Army Bill and Zabern Affair

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2
Q

How did Bulow feel about Socialism as Chancellor 1900-1909?

A

Abandoned aggressively anti socialist views but still tried to appeal to socialism

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3
Q

What was the 1902 Tariff Reform?

A

New tariff law restored duties on agricultural products + few key manufacturers to pre 1892 levels
- increasing revenue for developing navy (appeased industrialists) + appeased agrarian interest

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4
Q

What was the revenue from the 1902 Tariff reforms spent on?

A
  • Revenue raised spent on naval building and extending accident and health insurance
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5
Q

Who’s interests did the 1902 Tariff reforms protect?

A
  • Demonstrated dominance of elite/middle class interests
    • Stopping cheap imports of food- workers lose out, against this
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6
Q

What knock on political benefit did the Tariff reform create for the SPD?

A

Opposition to higher tariffs, helps the SPD to make political gains (ie 1903 election, one million additional votes and 26 extra Reichstag deputies)

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7
Q

What happened between 1900-1903 in terms of reforms and politically?

A

Series of social reforms, hoping to draw support away from the socialists. Extended accident + health insurance, introduced new rules on arbitration of industrial disputes-> BUT the socialists got the credit for this
Electorate was concerned for rising food prices, SPD won larger vote share in 1903 election

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8
Q

What constitutional reform happened in 1904?

A

secret ballot (from socialist pressure)

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9
Q

What happened in the 1904-5 Herero Uprising?

A
  • Present day Namibia
    • Colonial rule harsh- led to an uprising
    • Crushed mercilessly German colonial forces-> genocide
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10
Q

Why did the 1904-5 Herero Uprising divide political opinion in Germany?

A

○ Some people feel they rule the land, right/nationalists feel the government are doing what they have to do
○ SPD, the left, Zentrum etc were unhappy about oppression, violence and discrimination (goes against Christian Zentrum values)

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11
Q

What were relations between Bulow and the Kaiser like in 1905?

A

less harmonious relation between Bulow + Kaiser
- Bulow failed to control Reichstag + win approval for Kaiser increased military spending
- Tried to force increased taxes to gain funding: Bulow stopped by SPD + Zentrum (who he previously relied on)

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12
Q

What constitutional reform happened in 1906?

A

establishment of payment for Reichstag deputies, permitting lower and middle class men with no other sources of income to put themselves forward as deputies (from socialist pressure)

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13
Q

What was the social zeitgeist in 1906?

A

repressive action against poles + increase in Anti-Semitism

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14
Q

What tax was implemented in 1906 and how did political parties react to it?

A

small tax on legacies (supported by SPD + Zentrum, to increase funding (not support from Conservatives + Bundesrat)

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15
Q

How did Reichstag deputies get paid before the 1906 reforms?

A

○ Trade unions used to fund/back certain members of parliament to represent them. Richer people got income from their assets like lands

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16
Q

What was the Budget Crisis 1906- onwards?

A
  • Large budget deficit- from 1900-08 national debt doubled
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17
Q

What divisions did the 1906 Budget Crisis highlight between parties, and how did trying to solve it play out?

A

disagreement as to how it is paid for
○ Conservatives want indirect taxes to increase (more tariffs)
○ Those on the left want direct taxes (income tax, property tax)
- Proposed increasing indirect taxes and inheritance tac
- Consequence-> gridlock in Reichstag with little achieved

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18
Q

What political alliance group was formed in 1907?

A

Bulow Bloc

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19
Q

Who was part of the Bulow Bloc?

A
  • Conservatives, members of Agrarian League, Liberals (NL + Progressives) to avoid reliance on Zentrum
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20
Q

What was the 1907 Hottentot election?

A
  • Provoked by colonial events, fought on issue of support for Bulow policies in South West Africa
    • Alliance of ZP and SPD against increasing colonial budget so Election called
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21
Q

How well did the SPD and ZP do in the 1907 Hottentot election?

A

SPD decreased from 81 to 43
- ZP support increased from 100 to 105
- Branded ZP + SPD as un patriotic

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22
Q

How did the Bulow Bloc help in the 1907 Hottentot election?

A

Bulow Bloc’ coalition established in the right to counter the left, ZP switched sides-> support to get things done in the Reichstag (helps in the short term)

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23
Q

What happened to National Debt between 1900-1908?

A

National Debt doubled

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24
Q

What did different parties suggest as solutions to the National Debt problem?

Study These Flashcards
A
  • Conservatives + Agrarian League favoured increased taxes on consumed goods
    • Socialists and Progressive Liberals wanted increased taxes on property and inheritance
    • Progressives also pushed for constitutional reform
25
What bill did Bulow try and pass in 1909 to fix the national debt problem and how did the Reichstag react to it?
1909 Bulow Finance Bill - Defeated by combination of Conservatives, Zentrum, SPD, Liberals
26
What was the Eulenburg Scandal that occurred between 1907-09?
- Accusations of homosexual conduct at the heart of government - Comparable to Oscar Wilde trial in GB - Kaiser begins to resent opponents that used this scandal against him
27
What did the Eulenburg Scandal 1907-09 show about the power of the Kaiser in Germany?
- Shows that Germany is a semi-autocratic state-> this story reached the press, they released it, not full censorship- shows Kaiser vulnerability, he doesn't have total power
28
What was the Daily Telegraph Affair 1908?
Kaiser gave interview to British newspaper, Daily Telegraph, and suggested Germans were anti-British - Bulow was given opportunity to suppress the publication of the interview, but didn't
29
What was the impact of the 1908 Daily Telegraph Affair?
Kaiser's interview suggested he wanted a closer alliance - Reichstag complained-> they weren't told about this, didn't fully agree with what he said - Bulow was in a difficult position-> Reichstag is angry, Kaiser is angry as he thinks Bulow should have intervened - Interview worsened German relations with Britain - Reichstag demanded moderation in the Kaiser's conduct-> Bulow was made scapegoat and resigned shortly after
30
Why did Bulow resign in 1909?
Bulow resigned due to series of scandals (Daily Telegraph, Homosexuality)
31
What happened in the 1912 Reichstag election?
- SPD becomes largest party, 110 deputies - Only Progressive Liberals would work with them Bethmann Hollweg failed to push 'patriotism' theme, 1 in 3 Germans voted SPD, becoming largest party in Reichstag. SPD and Liberals had left wing majority, Chancellor could no longer win majorities for his policies-> forced to lobby support for measures as they arose, not rely on fixed party support
32
What did the 1913 Army Bill propose?
increase army by 136,000 men at cost of 1 billion marks-> SPD would rather see the money spent on social reform
33
How do the Conservatives react to the 1913 Army Bill and why?
Conservatives vote against as it is based on inheritance tax
34
How do the SPD react to the 1913 Army Bill and why?
SPD vote for as its the beginning of inheritance tax being used, which could then see its expansion into funding social reform
35
What eventually happens to the 1913 Inheritance tax plan and what impact does it have?
- Eventually inheritance tax plan was accepted in 1913 - Result= Reich debt at 5 billion marks by 1914
36
Who is Chancellor after Bulow?
Bethmann-Hollweg (Chancellor 1909-1917)
37
What was Bethmann-Hollweg's relationship with the Kaiser like?
Less harmonious relationship than with Bulow, but Kaiser was happy the new chancellor would let him have control over military and foreign affairs
38
What did Bethmann Hollweg need to achieve as Chancellor?
Needed to reconcile budget deficit with demands for increased military spending, whilst also having demands from left wing (ie wanted reform of three stage voting system of Prussian landtag 1910)
39
What happened to the 1910 attempt at reform of the 3 stage voting system of Prussian Landtag?
didn't pass due to combination of progressives (who didn't think it went far enough) and Conservatives
40
What constitutional reform occurred in 1911?
Universal male suffrage reduced from 25 to 21
41
What was the constitutional reforms that occurred from 1904 to 1911?
- 1904- Secret Ballot introduced - 1906- Payment of Reichstag deputies ○ Trade unions used to fund/back certain members of parliament to represent them. Richer people got income from their assets like lands - 1911- Universal male suffrage reduced from 25 to 21 Prussian three tier voting system remained, 1908- SPD won 23% of vote, but only 7 seats. Conservative won 16% of vote and 212 seat
42
What is a weakness/negative of the 1904-11 constitutional reforms?
They were only limited, and weren't major
43
How did the Kaiser overrule the Reichstag in 1913?
Vote of no confidence on the Chancellor, but Kaiser kept him in office. Began issuing imperial decrees without consultation or approval from Reichstag
44
What did Bethmann Hollweg try to do with Alsace Lorraine in 1911?
Bethann-Hollweg attempts to bring Alsace closer with the Reich, granting it a constitution, flag and anthem
45
What happened in November 1913 in Alsace Lorraine?
November 1913: German officer Second Lieutenant von Forstner insults local Alsatians - News of the insult spreads and von Forstner is jeered in streets by locals, Crowd gathers outside barracks - Crowd are imprisoned overnight by soldiers- overstepping their power, unconstitutional, takes law into its own hands
46
How did the Kaiser, Chancellor and Reichstag react to the events of Nov 1913 in Alsace Lorraine?
Kaiser left the matters in the hands of the army, felt it wasn't about the government Chancellor is forbidden to speak to the Reichstag about the matter - Kaiser accepted military explanation, considering Zabern a military affair - Kaiser forbade Bethmann to explain the Kaiser actions to Reich, Chancellor and War Minister had to defend the army's actions - Reichstag supported vote of no confidence against Chancellor by 293 to 54 votes- Bethmann remains, Kaiser overrules ○ Reichstag does nothing, felt they constitutionally do anything
47
How did the German people react to the Kaiser's lack of interest in the army overstepping in Nov 1913 in Alsace Lorraine?
- Led to protests beyond Alsace, army acted above the law
48
What does the Zabern Affar show about the Kaiser?
- Kaiser's unflinching loyalty to the army (between Military and Reichstag, Kaiser chooses Military)
49
What does the Zabern Affair show about the Chancellor?
- Chancellor could act independently from the Reichstag if it was in Kaisers interest (Chancellor ignores vote of no confidence as he answers to the Kaiser and not the Reichstag
50
What does the Zabern Affair show about the Reichstag?
- Reichstag was revealed as impotent in any direct confrontation (took week after the vote of no confidence for a politician to demand Chancellor's resignation, but even then he remained) ○ Jan 1914: Reichstag set up commission to discuss boundary lines between military and civilian authority, but disbanded after a month
51
How did the Kaiser have personal rule during this time?
- Kaiser unflinching support for the army Kaiserreich was dominated by the will of Kaiser - Bethmann continued with chancellorship shows its ultimately the Kiser who makes political decisions
52
How did the German Elite have a lot of power at this time?
- Wilhelm was a shadow Kaiser for dominant elites determined to preserve their own position - Zabern demonstrates how army could preserve its own authority despite a public opposition
53
What was the 1913 Zabern Affair?
December 1913- Kaiser declared support for the excessive military actions of the Zabern Affair - People protested in Alsace against the harsh recrimination against citizens due to army behaviour - Suggested Kaiser felt the army could do whatever regardless of the rule of law - Outcry against militarism in Reichstag and across country-> people felt government didn't represent the wishes of the people - Bethmann Hollweg took side of Kaiser+ Military
54
Where does the 1871 constitution place power?
places power ultimately with the Kaiser
55
How was the Kaiser acting within his powers under the 1871 constitution?
- Kaiser's decisions on appointing and dismissing Chancellors, although breaking Wilhelm's tradition, were essentially constitutional
56
How did the Kaiser reach 'peak personal rule' from 1897-1908?
Under Bulow, Kaiser reached peak 'personal rule' ○ Dictated policy, controlled all appointments, all legislation, all diplomatic moves ○ Could argue he wasn't doing anything the constitution didn't allow, his behaviour created difficulties with the other side of the constitution, the Reichstag § Reichstag cannot introduce or amend legislation, but Reichstag majority was necessary to pass or reject a law § Government could only work with a system of agreement or compromise between Reichstag majority and ministers
57
Why was the 1871 constitution becoming increasingly difficult to operate?
- Obstruction of Reichstag, increasing separation of Kaiser government and demands of the masses (reflected in growing socialist vote), made 1871 constitution increasingly difficult to operate.
58
What did difficulty of operating the Reichstag at the time lead to?
- Parties remained divided, so chancellors could still control and exert power
59

Germany1: The Kaiserreich 1871-1914 (19 decks)

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