Political parties after unification

• What was the aim of the political parties?

  To get into the Reichstag (elections every 3 years)

  To be a pressure group within the Reichstag (lower house) to put forth their concerns to push the Bundesrat to initiate legislation
• National Liberals (NL)

  Formed in 1867

  Consisted of the Protestant middle classmen

  Supported Bismarck

  Favoured free trade, strengthened Germany and a constitutional liberal state

  Supported by educated men e.g. civil servants, merchants, bankers

  Opposed Social Democratic Party and their growth
• Zentrum (Centre party-Z)

  Formed in 1879

  Consisted of German Catholics and Bismarck opposers

  Strong support in southern states (bc south German = Catholic)

  Wanted more economic success in south particularly in Bavaria and Rhineland), wanted to prove Catholic churches influence in education

  Conservative party regarding constitution - wanted Germany to remain the same; more liberal w/ social reform
• Progressive party


  Opposed to Bismarck

  Believed in liberal constitutional state

  Disliked centralism - wanted to extend the Reichstag powers

  Disliked militarism
• Social Democratic Party (SPD)

  Existed in 1871, but formally est. in 1875

  Socialist - represented working class and trade unions

  Supported reduction in power for elites and extensions of welfare reforms

  Radical SPD members wanted total overthrow of the constitution + wanted a republic i.e. no monarchy

  but majority was willing to remain with existing constitution
• German Conservative Party (less important)

  Conservatives broke off into their own factions in 1876

  Mainly consisted of repressed Protestant Prussian Junkers

  Hated Reichstag because of Universal Suffrage rule i.e. everyone had a right to vote

  They were worried lower class people would want change
• Free Conservatives (less important)

  Founded in 1871

  Represented landowners, industrialists, and businessmen

  Supported Bismarck

  Wanted unified Germany

  Small party