Section 1.1 - Imperial Germany and its discontents

Question 1

Formation of German Empire

Answer 1

1871

Question 2

Most powerful group at this time

Answer 2

Royal family and the Junkers (German Aristocracy)

Question 3

Why was Prussia so important?

Answer 3

2/3s of the population in 1871 had been Prussian

Home of the royal family so Nationalistically very important

Junker class was from Prussia

Question 4

Political system before 1914

Answer 4

Lead by the Kaiser, however a democratic Reichstag was introduced to keep people happy

Question 5

Economy

Answer 5

Fastest growing industrial production in Europe: twice as quickly as France and 3 times as quickly as Britain’s

Question 6

SPD creation, position and threats

Answer 6

Created in 1875 due to the huge number of working class and poverty due to the rapid industrialisation

By 1914 was the biggest and best organised party in the entirety of Europe, taking most seats in the Reichstag

Hated by the conservative elites as they had recently gained from industrialisation and the SPD posed a threat

Question 7

Catholics and the Zentrum creation

Answer 7

Germany was mainly protestant, however had a large Catholic population - 1/3 population

Seen as a threat due to the idea that they would prioritise the Pope over Germany - treated with Kulturekampf in the 1870s which aimed to lessen influence (mainly political)

Zentrum (centre/Catholic party) was created to combat this and represent Catholics

Catholics remained second class citizens to Protestants in Germany