germany pre-ww1

• Germany unification as a single country

  1871
• Germany unification as a single country details

  *25 previously independent states joined together to create the new German Empire.

  *The Empire's constitution was a federal one. This meant that each state kept their own individual princes, constitutions and governments.

  *Prussia was the richest and most powerful of the 25 German states
• Kaiser Wilhelm II reign

  1888 - 1918
• Kaiser Wilhelm II reign details

  *Emperor of Germany during World War I
• Social insurance systems


  1880s
• Social insurance systems details

  *Social insurance systems for health care, accidents, disability and old age had been introduced by Bismarck
• SPD social reform


  1891 - 1903
• SPD social reform details

  *Despite its commitment to revolutionary change, the SPD worked to pass further social reforms that were designed to improve the working conditions of industrial workers
• Bismarck resignation


  1980
• Bismarck resignation details


  *He was forced to resign by the Kaiser after disagreements with him

  *He was later replaced with 'Yes Men', who would support anything the Kaiser said
• Social Law


  1891
• Social Law details


  *The Social Law banned Sunday working and the employment of children under 13
• Weltpolitik


  1897
• Weltpolitik details


  *The policy of making Germany a major global power through an expanding navy and the acquisition of colonies

  *The dream of Kaiser Wilhelm II

  *Translation: "world politics"
• Navy league


  1898
• Navy league details

  *Created by Admiral von Tirpitz to win support for his policy

  *Campaigned for his Naval Laws to be passed

  *Key part of the policy known as Weltpolitik ('world politics')

  *Quickly gained one million members

  *Beginning of naval arms race with Britain, costing huge sums of money
• First Naval Law


  1898
• First Naval Law details

  *Increased the navy by 7 battleships
• Accident insurance reform


  1900
• Accident insurance reform details

  *The length of time accident insurance could be claimed for was increased
• Second Naval Law


  1900
• Second Naval Law details

  *Doubled the size of the navy to 38 battleships
• Industrial arbitration courts


  1901
• Industrial arbitration courts details


  *Industrial arbitration courts were introduced to settle disputes between workers and employers.
• Tariff Law


  1902
• Tariff Law details


  *Where the money came from to pay the debt and run the government.

  *The government found it difficult to reform the Tariff Law due to domestic problems caused by Weltpolitik and naval expansion
• Health insurance reform details

  *Health insurance was extended and further restrictions were placed on child labour.
• Health insurance reform


  1903
• Third Naval Law


  1906
• Third Naval Law details

  *Expanded the navy by another 6 battleships
• National debt growth


  1913
• National debt growth details

  *The German government's budget went into deficit as it spent more and more money on the army, the navy and its new colonies

  *The national debt grew to 490 billion marks
• WW1


  1914-1918
• WW1 details


  *A war between the Allies and Central powers, it was mainly fought in Europe