Bisinvestigations nmg
Bismarck Investigation – Liberalism, Conservatism and Nationalism
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1847-48 peak of attempts to create a united Germany to be governed on Liberal
principles following wave of demands for constitutions across German states
 Frankfurt Parliament had 596 members – vast majority were m/class professionals
– over 80% held degrees (mainly in law) – some landowners, 4 craftsmen & 1
peasant!
 Saw its main task to draw up national constitution and also recommended
approval of a series of ‘Basic Rights and Demands’ eg freedom of the press
 Declared its authority over the states
 Eventually produced the 50 Articles of the fundamental rights of the German
citizen
 Following revolution in Berlin (& its suppression) Fred Will IV produced his own
constitution - a mixture of absolutism & liberalism
 A 2 House parliament – Upper House elected by property owners – Lower by
manhood suffrage
 3 class suffrage system introduced – vote of richest classes worth 17 times more
than one of the poorest
 King could raise taxes, suspend civil rights, appoint & dismiss ministers, and
change the constitution at any time
Prussian ministers felt that this was a better model than that proposed at Frankfurt &
that it would lead to a Prussian controlled Germany
 Bismarck first entered politics being elected to the Prussian Land tag by
Junkers – made himself known as fervently anti-liberal
 1851 Bismarck sent as Prussian delegate to the German Confederation. From
now saw the impact of industrialisation and realised need for modern
economic policy. Also saw the potential of the nationalist movement to sweep
away the Prussian kingdom
 On accession of William I Bismarck sent to St Petersburg & Paris as
ambassador. ‘He smells of blood and can only be employed when the bayonet
rules.’
1862 Budget Crisis
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To date Prussian army still organised on basis of 1806 – conscripts served 3
years in the Army, 2 years in reserves & then into the militia or Landwehr.
Unlike the regular army Landwehr had mainly middle class officers
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King (& von Roon) planned to increase size of Prussian army from 150,000 to
220,000 & to increase reserves from 40,000 a year to 63,000. Landwehr to be
reduced in size & importance
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1860 elections saw victory for Progressive Party, radical liberals. They were
not against an expanded army but wanted to retain control over the
government
Reforms rejected by Prussian Land tag but still voted Government large sum
of money which was spent on military reforms
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1861-2 Land tag continued to protest against military reforms – King wanted
3 years military service, Liberals compromised on 2 years
By 1862 Liberals controlled 80% of seats
King considered shutting down Land tag or abdicating in favour of more
liberal minded son
King & Junkers determined to keep control of army – 65% of officers drawn
from landowning classes – 3 years service would maintain control
Liberals wanted to see Germany united but believed that King & Army should
be under their control
They wanted a Landwehr, officered by men from the middle classes who
would more likely fight for Germany rather Junkers whose loyalty was to
Prussia
Bismarck appointed as Minister-President – made his ‘Blood & Iron’ speech
Told parliament that military reforms would be financed from taxes
Liberal opposition argued that people would refuse to pay – Bismarck replied
that 200,000 soldiers were available to collect taxes
Money raised over next 4 years!
War with Austria – the end of Liberalism in Germany?
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Elections held in Prussia following success against the Austrians – Conservatives
swept to success as Liberals lost heavily
Indemnity Bill legalised all laws retroactively – passed with handsome majority
Bismarck spoke of need for govt to work jointly with parliament – implicit
acceptance of parliament’s rights (Stiles)
Unity did not last – formation of National Liberal Party pledged to support move
to unity but also to maintain Liberal principles eg Free Trade.
Many Junkers saw Bismarck as traitor to his class – now opposed him
Less reactionary Junkers formed the Free Conservatives who were to work with
the National Liberals
The North German Confederation – political basis
 Established federal unity between member states & central authority
 States kept their own rulers, laws & local assemblies. Own legal & admin
systems, local taxes paid for bureaucracy & provided education
 Central authority lay in Bundesrat (Federal Council) – states had votes
proportionate to their size (Prussia had 17/43!)
 King of Prussia was president & commander in chief
 Reichstag elected by universal manhood suffrage but Federal Chancellor was not
responsible to it.
 Allowed right to pass annual budget but military spending excluded (accounted
for 90% of new Confederation’s spending!)
 Struggle over this continued - eventually Reichstag would gain some control by
1872
 Bismarck was opposed to idea of parliamentary government on the British model
– had a very low opinion of the political abilities of his fellow Germans
The German Empire, 1870
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