Growing parliamentary
democracy or entrenched
autocracy by
1914?
Connector
• Democracy
• Autocracy
Outcomes
• All students to see how Germany was
made up democratic and autocratic
elements
• Most students to independently jigsaw a
structured essay
• Some students to see how this will effect
Germany in the future
Key events
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New chancellors
Weltpolitik
Hottentot election
Daily Telegraph Affair
Military spending
Zabern Affair
Caprivi 1890-94
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Bismarck is replaced by Caprivi who was more independent than the Kaiser wished, actually
wanted a more democratic government, hence allowed ASL to collapse
Had backing of Reichstag- pushed though Socialist laws regarding employment and women
Tariff policy was reformed- treaties with AH, Italy and Russia-bi lateral. Which helped grow the
economy and a triumph for Caprivi as most parties supported it except the Conservatives.
Perhaps make Bismarcks system work in a flexible way- it did not last.
– Court conservatives- many of the Kaiser’s court advisers wanted Caprivi to ditch socialist
policies and introduce a more authoritarian rule by the Kaiser
– Landowners- deeply upset by commercial treaties since it threatened to reduce profits . 1893
the Agrarian League is founded to win support for landowners. Soon became very effective
and influential lobby of nearly a 3rd million members
– Military- Caprivi reduced the length of military conscription from 3 years to 2, which meant
the Army Bill was defeated in the Reichstag . Caprivi resigned after finding out the Kaiser
planned to essentially turn Germany into a Kaisereich,
Caprivi understood the need for partliamentary support in a modern industrialised society, which
catered for the needs and concerns of the mass of the population. However he could not compete
with the ruling classes and the delusion of the Kaiser
Weltpoliltik
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Hohenlohe was appointed Chancellor next in 1894 and was in office for 6 years, but government
was increasingly dominated by supporters of the Kaiser. Once again he could not control the
influence and intrigue at court.
By 1897 key figures who supported the Kaiser were appointed to government- Bulow, von Turpitz,
Posadowsky-Wehner, von Holstein, and von Miquel.
Shift by 1897 to Weltpolitik, or German to achieve world power status although a foreign policy
meant a shift in domestic policy.
Kaiser wanted to satisfy Germany's destiny of obtaining colonial acquisitions , expansion of naval
power. He also had industrialisation, nationalism, radical nationalism and social Darwinism
supporting him.
We will do this next lesson.
Von Bulow
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Hohenlohe resigned after not being listened to and was replaced by von Bulow. His main interest
was foreign policy and he enjoyed the trust of the Kaiser. He believed a successful foreign policy
could unite a increasingly divided Germany.
HE did introduce some social reform, involving accident insurance, industrial courts and child
labour.
1902 Tariffs were reformed again- these were reformed to pre 1892 levels- satisfying the Centre’s
dominant position in the Reichstag and therefore the population.But SPD votes went up by 30
seats.
As Weltpolitik was more expensive there was a sustantial tax increase, in 1905 he tried to
introduce indirect taxes and inheritance tax- both voted down by the SPD and the Centre party, so
the deficit grew.
Hottentot Election/DTE
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Bulow was being attacked for his policy of occupying German South West Africa. The Reichstag
defeated the government on its handling of the occupation, so Bulow dissolved the Reichstag.
The governments election campaign became know as the Hottentot election as it played on the
campaign in South Africa, was anti socialist, anti catholic, and nationalistic.
He was able to form a coalition and also reduce the number of votes for the SPD.
In 1909 the Kaiser was also at the end of a scandal when one his closet friends was implicated in
a homosexual scandal. In an interview with the DT the Kaiser claimed he wanted closer relations
with Britain. However the Reichstag felt he should not be talking to foreign media about foreign
policy and wished to curb his power. However von Bulow had cleared the article before
publication.
Von Bulow got a promise from the Kaiser that the terms of the constitution would be respected .
Earning von Bulow the nickname the Eel. When von Bulow's budget was rejected by the
Reichstag the Kaiser dismissed him.
THE DTA showed that the Kaiser was only interested in chancellors who were loyal to him.
Zabern Affair
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Town in Alsace between Germany and France, annexed by Germany from France. French
inhabitants and German soldiers argued and officers were asked to clear the streets. 28 civilians
were arrested detained and a disabled cobbler was cut down by a sabre. This led to protests
beyond Alsace that the army had bypassed the law and threatened the liberties of civilians.
The army defended itself saying it was accountable to the Kaiser alone, and Wilhelm condoned
the action. Bethmann stood by the army and the Chancellor received a vote of no confidence. But
nothing happened.
Shows how the state was dominated by the Kaiser and his supporters. Some believe he was
never more than a “shadow” Kaiser, a front for the elite controlling the country. ZA shows hopw
the army was able to maintain its power and status. However pressure were bubbling up under
the Kaiser as a result of real demand for democratic and social change.
Question
• The political establishment in Germany
succeeded in maintaining the political
status quo through a policy of moderate
reform.’
• How far do you agree with this
judgement?
• Status quo remained, moderate reform
– Social reforms
– Constutional reforms
• Staus quo remained, extreme reform
– Banning of the SPD
– Flottenpolitik, Weltpolitik, Sammlungspolitik
– Kaiserreich
• Status quo changing, due to reform
– Rise of SPD,
• Status quo changed , extreme reform
– Unhappy conservatives
– Landowners were getting upset
– Military problems
Structure
• The Political status quo
• Constitutional reforms
• Social Reforms
• Extreme reforms
Arguments
• Agree
• Disagree
Language to use
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One should argue that . . .
It is clear that . . .
Fundamentally . . .
Without doubt . . .
This most obviously . . .
Homework
• Complete essay for next lesson
Review: Second or Third?