Germany and the growth of democracy

• The Formation of the German Empire:

  The German Empire was founded on 18th January 1871, after three successful wars by the state of Prussia. Within seven years, Denmark, Habsburg, and France were vanquished in short, decisive conflicts. The empire was formed as a result of traditional cabinet diplomacy and agreement, by the leaders of the states in the North German Confederation, led by Prussia, with the hereditary rulers of Bavaria, Baden, Hesse-Darmstadt, and Wurttemberg. Remained the dominant force in the nation until the empires demise at the end of another war in 1918.
• Kaiser Wilhelm II (Personality and Character):

  Very energetic with a strong, outgoing personality. Could be charming and kind- but also impatient and rude, eccentric, ambitious. As Kaiser, if ministers didn’t do what he wanted, he would sack them.
• Kaiser Wilhelm II (Family Connections):

  Son of Princess Royal, Victoria and Frederick III, German Emperor. Grandson of Queen Victoria, cousin of Britain’s future King, George V. Father was the Emperor who created the German Empire. 
• Kaiser Wilhelm II (Beliefs)

  Wanted to make Germany as big as Britain, began building up Germany’s industry, known as industrialism. Believed very strongly militarism, especially in the Navy. 
• Why did the Kaiser hold the beliefs he did?

  He wished to compete with Britain, as he wanted to match the works of his Father, who created the German Empire. Therefore, like Britain, he planned to create a large empire abroad, and so, began industrialising and militarising Germany in order to achieve this. He felt that Germany had to be the best. 
• Kaiser's Political and International Aims:

  • Control the political system.
  • Make Germany a World Power (Weltpolitik)
• Control of the Political System:

  Help:

  • Junkers: Had a lot of power in Germany and supported Kaiser and his aims.
  • The German Army: By people admiring the army, they admired the work of the Kaiser and how he controlled the country.

  Difficulties:

  • Trades Union: The more people who wanted better pay and working conditions, the more people who disliked the Kaiser and his way of ruling.
  • Industrialisation: The more people who worked, the less money each person would get and the worse the conditions would be and more people disliked him.
• Make Germany a World Power:

  Help:

  • Prussian Militarism: The strength of the army would allow Germany to compete with other world powers in building an empire.
  • The German Economy: They are building their economy up and by having good economy they could trade with other countries and improve relations.

  Difficulties:

  • Trades Union: If the economy suffered, then Germany wouldn't have as much power, but the more people in the trade unions, the more they were disliked.
  • Industrialisation: The more people in the country, the worse the conditions and the quality of life.
• The German Political System in 1900:

  The Kaiser:

  • Hereditary position. Born into the position, not appointed.
  • The job was for life. Could not be voted out.
  • Had control of the army.
  • Could propose laws.

  Chancellor/Government:

  • The chancellor was appointed and dismissed by Kaiser.
  • The chancellor was answerable only to the Kaiser.
  • Made of ministers that help the Kaiser run the country.

  The Reichstag:

  • Elected every 3 years.
  • Could agree or reject laws proposed by the Kaiser.
  • The Reichstag had to agree with how much tax.

  Electorate:

  • Men over the age of 25 could vote.
• Kaiser Wilhelm II: 


  Intelligent, spoilt, impatient. Cousin to the British royal family.

  • Foreign Policy: Wanted an Empire, a 'place in the sun' for Germany.
  • Militant Policy: Wanted a strong Navy like Britain.
  • Social Policy: tried to present himself as the ‘social emperor’, showing concern for striking coal miners in 1889. improved education & investment in science, engineering & medicine
• Bismarck:

  Bismarck had been left alone to govern by the preceding Emperors Wilhelm I and Frederick III. Wilhelm II's interference came as a surprise.

  • Economic Policy: Did not like socialists and opposed trade unions and strikes.
  • Foreign Policy: Perused a peaceful and cautious foreign policy, hoping to retain good relations with neighbours France and Russia.
  • Militant Policy: Believed he needed a navy to rival that of Britain and he spent to improve it. (Militarism)
  • Social Policy: United Germany as a country in 1871.

  Opposed by the SPD and sacked by Kaiser Wilhelm after the SPD won
• Caprivi:

  Lieutenant-Colonel in the Prussian army before becoming Chancellor.

  • Economic Policy: Encouraging free trae by reducing tariffs on rye and wheat.
  • Foreign Policy: Followed a pro-British foreign policy. Did not renew treaties, resulting in a Russian-French Alliance.
  • Social Policy: Cooperated with the SPD to pass Workers' Protection Acts.

  Opposed by Conservatives. Sacked by Kaiser Wilhelm for failing to reconcile the Prussian and German interest.
• Hohenlohe:

  German Prince who was a liberal politician. Left decision-making to his ministers. Tried to make Prussia more liberal.

  • Economic Policy: Continued Caprivi's policies.
  • Foreign Policy: Bieberstein tried to resist Wilhelm's personal attempts to control foreign policy.
  • Militant Policy: Expande the navy.

  Opposed by Prussian Junkers and military. Sacked by Kaiser Wilhelm for being unpopular with Prussian Junkers and military die to his economic policies.
• Bulow:

  Bulow would 'change his mind' to support the Kaiser's policies.

  • Economic Policy: Wanted to introduce inheritance tax (failed in 1909).
  • Militant Policy: The Schlieffen Plan (1904) defeat a joint attack by Russia and France.
  • Social Policy: Increase worker's rights. Extended health insurance. Restricted child labour.

  Resigned once the inheritance tax failed.
• Bethmann-Hollweg:

  National politician of Prussian origin.

  • Foreign Policy: Wanted to improve relations with Britain.
  • Militant Policy: was repeatedly undermined by generals who influenced the Kaiser in June 1914.

  Opposed by the SPD. Was forced to resign by the SPD.
• Rise of the Socialists

  Left wing means that the public are more in control and community ownership, whereas the further the right wing you go, the more power the person in charge has.

  • Workers were unhappy because business and factory owners were rich, and workers wages and working conditions were low, and food was expensive.
  • The Kaiser would feel threatened by socialism because the social democrats want him to share his power.
  • As the new political party was becoming popular it would weaken the Kaisers control because socialists believed power and wealth should be shared.
• How did the Kaiser react to Socialism?

  • 1890s - Caprivi introduced social reforms. Sunday working was banned. Children under 13 couldn't work.
  • 1894 - Kaiser felt threatened by the growing strength of the SPD. Offices attacked and leaders put on trial.
  • 1898 - Kaiser made a speech saying that any worker who was on strike would be put in prison. Reichstag opposed, Wilhelm suggested SPD members should be dragged out the Reichstag and gunned.
  • 1900 - Bulow introduced social reforms. Workers pension and insurance benefits extended.
  • 1912 - SPD were the largest party in the Reichstag.
• The Navy Laws:

  Germany originally had 8 battleships. The first naval law was in 1898 when 7 ships were built. The second naval law was in 1900, with a total of 38 ships.

  Britain decided that for every ship Germany built, they would build 2. Britain felt threatened by German expansion of the navy and retaliated by building more ships. Like the Dreadnought.
• How did Germany change under the rule of the Kaiser?

  • Industry: 1880 ->36%. 1914 -> 52%. Imported coal and iron. Germany started exporting high quality goods.
  • Population: 1880 -> 49,426,470. 1914 -> 67,000,000. The population increased by less than 60%.
  • Agriculture: 1880 -> 41%. 1914 -> 23%. More technology was used.
  • Trade: 1880 -> imports=2.8bn marks, Exports=2.9bn marks. 1914 -> imports=10.8bn marks, Exports=10.1bn marks. Trade was mainly with colonised countries.
  • Work: Unemployment was 1.35m in 1882. 20m of the poulation was unemployed in 1914. Number significantly increased.
• The impact of WW1 (part 1):

  • August 1914: Britain sent battleships to blockade Germany from getting supplies from sea. SPD agreed to support. Resulted in the Schlieffen Plan. (generals tried to capture Paris)
  • 1916-17: The Turnip Winter. Starvation and killed thousands.
  • Feb 1917: Communist revolution in Russia. Tsar is executed and Russia makes peace with Germany. Some Germans start to believe that to end the war they need to execute the Kaiser. Leads to Operation Michael (aimed to break through allied lines)
  • April 1917: USA joins the war. German generals were not too worried about US.
• The impact of WW1 (part 2):

  • Winter 1917-18: Another harsh winter- There is a flu epidemic killing thousands. There were more demonstrations and talk of overthrowing the Kaiser. Led to the Ludendorff Offensives when Germans made huge advances.
  • Oct-Nov 1918: Kaiser ordered the German navy out to sea from Kiel. Surrendered. Led to the November Revolution. The Kiel Mutiny spread to other parts as sailors refused to follow orders. Kaiser had lost control and his generals refused to support him
  • He abdicated on 9th November 1918.
• End of the War:

  WW1 had a great impact on Germany. The war lasted for 4 years from 1914-18. 11M Germans fought in the war. Almost 2M died with over 4M wounded. Germans Government debt trebled from 50M marks to 150M marks. Over 750,000 civilians died from food shortages as farmers were fighting. Kaiser lost control of Germany. Soldiers Mutinied. Workers striked. Kaiser was forced to resign on 9th November 1918 (abdicated).
• The Weimar Constitution:

  • President: elected every 7 years. Supreme commander of the army.
  • Reichstag: 641 members in 1933. Elected every 4 years and more important than Reichstrat.
  • Voters: Men and Women over the age of 20.
  • Reichstrat: 55 Representatives from 18 German states. Can't make laws but can approve laws proposed by Chancellor and Reichstag.
  • Article 48: President could suspend constitution in an emergency. Can make laws and keep Chancellor in office without support of the Reichstag.
  • Chancellor: Chosen by the President. Required majority support from the Reichstag.
• Key articles of the Weimar Constitution:

  • Article 1: German Reich is a republic.
  • Article 22: Reichstag are elected by all men and woman over 20.
  • Article 23: Reichstag is elected for 4 years
  • Article 41: Reich President is chosen by German electorate.
  • Article 48: Reich President may take necessary measure to restore public safety/order.
  • Article 54: Reich Chancellor and ministers must resign if the Reichstag withdraws confidence.
• Social Democratic Party (SPD):

  • Supporters: mostly working class.
  • Policies: believed everyone was equal. wanted democracy and reforms to help ordinary working class Germans.
• Communist Party (KPD):

  • Supporters: Working classes.
  • Policies: Thought Germany should be a Communist country run by workers' councils, not parliament.
• National Socialists German Workers Party (NSDAP):

  • Supporters: Unemployed, mainly ex-soldiers. Some support from upper classes who feared Communism.
  • Policies: Wanted to return Germany to a strong country. Wanted a strong government led by one man and hated the idea of democracy. Hated Communism.
• Consequences of the Treaty of Versailles:

  Land:

  • German colonies will be given to allied powers.
  • No union with Austria.
  • Posen and West Prussia to Poland.

  Army:

  • German army cannot exceed 100,000 men.
  • No conscription into the army.
  • Navy can only have 6 battleships.

  Money:

  • Reparations set at £6.6 billion in 1921.
  • Germany forced to sign a 'blank cheque'.
  • Cattle and sheep given to Belgium and France.

  Blame:

  • Germany must accept full blame for the war.
  • Article 213.
• Invasion of the Ruhr:

  When Germany couldn't pay the 6.6 billion (coal, iron, wood, 2 million gold marks), French and Belgian troops invaded and it was an important industrial area for Germany. The Weimar government ordered the workers in the Ruhr to go on strike. Over the next 8 months, 132 people died and 150,000 were removed from their homes. This led to the german economy starting to suffer, so the government printed money to cover the costs.
• Hyperinflation:

  • Bread - 201,000,000,000 marks
  • Egg - 80,000,000,000 marks.
  • Shoes - 32,000,000,000,000 marks.
  • Restaurants: Stopped printing menus as price kept rising.
  • Pensioners: Pensions became worthless.
  • Poor: The poor got poorer, burning furniture to get heat.
  • Rich: Least affected because had contacts or land.
  • Middle Class: Savings turned into nothing, had to sell heirlooms to survive.
  • Debt: Industriales and landowners who owed money were able to pay off debt.
• Spartacist Revolt:

  • Led by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Leibknecht.
  • January 1919.
  • They were a left wing Communist group.

  Causes: Didn't trust the new government and didn't think workers lives would be improved. Wanted to replicate the Russian Revolution.

  Actions: Workers protested for the rights throughout Germany. Spartacists wanted this to be a full revolution. Government newspaper and telegram offices (Berlin) were taken over. 100,000 workers were involved.

  Government Response: Uprising was halted by the army.

  Reason for failure: Bad planning, Both leaders were killed.
• Kapp Putsch:

  • Led by Wolfgang Kapp
  • 1920.
  • Right wing party.

  Cause: Weimar wanted to reduce the army and disband Freikorps. Leader did not want to follow through so planned to create a new right wing government.

  Actions. 12,000 Freikorps marched to Berlin. Refused to open fire and agree to shoot prior soldiers.

  Government Response: The government fled to Stuttgart.

  Reason for failure: People of Berlin called upon trade Unions and Weimar government to not support the protest and go on strike. Weimar government returned to Berlin after Kapp's failure.
• Hitler:

  • 1889 - Born
  • 1907 - Mother died and moved to Vienna to be an artist.
  • 1913 - Moved to Munich, Germany.
  • 1914 - Joined German Army when WW1 broke out.
  • 1918 - Discovers German Workers' Party in May.
  • 1920 - Becomes chief propaganda minister for the party.
  • 1921 - Nazi party grew to 5000 members.
• The Munich Putsch:

  • Nazi party planned to overthrow government by joining with other leaders (Kahr and Lossow).
  • Hitler marches with 2000 supporters to Munich Beer Hall. His men surround it and hold government leaders at gunpoint.
  • Hitler is joined by Ludendorff. Tells Kahr and Lossow to leave. Call authorities on Hitler.
  • Hitler marches through Munich with 2000 supporters. Confronted by police, short exchange of fire. Nazi next to Hitler is shot, falls, and dislocates Hitler's shoulder. He is arrested and put on trial.
• Consequences of the Munich Putsch:

  • Hitler gives a speech in court. Judge is Right Wing so gives Hitler a 5 year sentence.
  • Hitler only serves 9 months in prison.
  • Writes his bibliography 'Mein Kampf' which shows opposition to Jews.
• Stresemann:

  Foreign secretary of Germany between 1923 and 1929. He was the Chancellor between August and November 1923.

  In 1926 he was appointed the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in improving French-German relations.

  Died in 1929 (before the Wall Street crash)
• Rentenmark (1923):

  The Rentenmark was a temporary currency that replaced the mark, which had lost value. This was then replaced with the Reichsmark, which was stable for 25 years.

  • Germans quickly accepted the new currency and hyperinflation ended. Also, it helped start rebuilding the economy.
  • People who lost all their savings were unable to get them back and blamed the government.
• Dawes Plan (1924):

  Stresemann arranged for the USA to lend Germany 800 million marks. This was used to build factories, schools, roads. The aim was to create more jobs, which would provide more stability for the economy.

  • Germany started thriving and people were better off. Sales started increasing and big American brands built factories in Germany. Pensions and Wages increased.
  • People worried that they were relying too heavily on the American loans. Some Germans felt they should have demanded to end the reparations altogether instead.
• Locrano Pact

  An agreement with Britain, France, Belgium, and Italy that promised never to invade each other. It also accepted the land borders of the ToV.

  • Allowed Germany entry to the League of Nations.
  • Some people thought that Stresemann was weak to not fight for the land lost in the ToV.
• League of Nations:

  An international peacekeeping orginisation set up after WW1. It's aim was to avoid another world war.

  • Germany's involvement was a sign of improving relations in Europe and acknowledge that Germany was a world powe.
  • Some people wanted revenge rather than peace and cooperation with the allies.