2.1 Kaiser Wilhelm II and the difficulties of ruling Germany

• When did Kaiser Wilhelm II rule Germany?

  1888 to 1918
• Kaiser Wilhelm II aimed to transform Germany into a global superpower
• Kaiser Wilhelm II's military build-up contributed to rising tensions in Europe.
• Who was dismissed by Kaiser Wilhelm II?

  Otto von Bismarck
• Otto von Bismarck's leadership style was diplomatic and strategic
• Kaiser Wilhelm II's aggressive leadership style contributed to World War I.
• What political expertise did Kaiser Wilhelm II lose by dismissing Bismarck?

  Maintaining stability
• Kaiser Wilhelm II's military build-up led to rising tensions
• Bismarck's strategic diplomacy kept peace in Europe for decades.
• What is highlighted in the comparison between Wilhelm II and Bismarck's leadership?

  Their different approaches
• Kaiser Wilhelm II's personality traits included militarism and belief in absolute rule
• Kaiser Wilhelm II believed in establishing Germany as a global superpower.
• Match the leader with their leadership style:

  Kaiser Wilhelm II ↔️ Aggressive, autocratic

  Otto von Bismarck ↔️ Diplomatic, strategic
• What type of resistance did Kaiser Wilhelm II face from the Reichstag?

  Parliamentary resistance
• Kaiser Wilhelm II's failure to unify political factions led to instability
• Order the key political challenges faced by Kaiser Wilhelm II:

  1️⃣ Socialist Growth

  2️⃣ Parliamentary Resistance

  3️⃣ Maintaining Stability
• Kaiser Wilhelm II often bypassed the Reichstag due to resistance
• Kaiser Wilhelm II successfully unified political factions, ensuring stability in Germany.

  False
• What type of reforms did Kaiser Wilhelm II implement in response to socialist demands?

  Limited reforms
• Bismarck addressed socialist growth by suppressing it through anti-socialist laws
• Kaiser Wilhelm II's failure to unify political factions led to instability.
• How did Bismarck maintain support from the Reichstag?

  Negotiation and alliances
• Bismarck kept peace by managing different political groups
• Match the leader with their approach to political challenges:

  Kaiser Wilhelm II ↔️ Aggressive, bypassed parliament

  Bismarck ↔️ Diplomatic, strategic alliances
• Stark class disparities and economic inequality contributed to the rise of socialist movements in Germany.
• The working class during Kaiser Wilhelm II's reign sought better wages, working conditions, and social equality
• What overshadowed critical domestic issues during Kaiser Wilhelm II's reign?

  Military expansion
• The Reinsurance Treaty with Russia was renewed in 1890 under Kaiser Wilhelm II.

  False
• What was the outcome of Germany's naval arms race with Britain?

  Increased tensions
• Kaiser Wilhelm II dismissed Otto von Bismarck
• Bismarck's diplomatic strategies kept peace in Europe for decades.
• Which leadership trait did Kaiser Wilhelm II emphasize compared to Bismarck?

  Militaristic approach
• Kaiser Wilhelm II's leadership style was aggressive and autocratic
• Socialist movements gained momentum in Germany due to stark economic inequality during Kaiser Wilhelm II's reign.
• What significant social and economic issues did Germany face during Kaiser Wilhelm II's reign?

  Socialist movements, class disparities
• The upper class during Kaiser Wilhelm II's reign maintained their privilege and dominance through their control of government and industry
• What were the key concerns of the working class during Kaiser Wilhelm II's reign?

  Better wages, working conditions
• Wilhelm II's focus on military expansion often overshadowed domestic social and economic issues.
• What were the two key alliances and conflicts in German foreign policy under Kaiser Wilhelm II?

  Triple Alliance, naval arms race
• The Reinsurance Treaty with Russia, intended to maintain peace, was allowed to lapse in 1890