Chapter 1 - The Political Structures of the Great Powers

• Define the term "international relations"

  The way in which two or more nation interact with and regard one another
• Who were the two loosely democratic powers in 1890 Europe?

  Britain and France
• Why were these two powers deemed loosely democratic?

  Neither state had universal suffrage but they stood apart from other Great Powers as their Heads of State had to work with Parliament
• What was one impact of democracy?

  The ruling political parties could not ignore public opinion and stay in power - the public mood and the press could, and often did, influence policymaking
• When was the Franco-Prussian war and the establishment of the French Third Republic?

  1870-71
• When was the accession of Kaiser Wilhelm II in Germany?

  1888
• When was the resignation of Bismarck, Chancellor of Germany?

  1890
• When was the accession of Tsar Nicholas II in Russia?

  1894
• What is meant by the term "universal suffrage"?

  Extending the right to vote in elections to all adult men and women
• What is meant by the term "democracy"?

  Political system in which people choose their own rulers; in modern states this is usually by electing representatives to sit in a National Assembly or Parliament
• What is meant by the term "representative government"?

  A government that is elected to serve the needs of its citizens
• What was the state of political power in Britain in 1900?

  They had a Parliament and a hereditary monarch with limited power
• How did Walter Bagehot describe Queen Victoria's power in 1867?

  "The Queen reigns but does not rule" - also distinguished between her formal powers (signing state documents) and her symbolic and ceremonial role (promoted illusion of greater power)
• What were the three rights of the British monarch in relation to their governments?

  The right to be consulted, the right to encourage, the right to warn
• Who had the active role in the day to day running of the country?

  Parliament, led by the PM - governed the country. The monarch did not have an active role in this.
• Why was Britain not a true democracy in 1900?

  Suffrage was limited and the Head of State was not elected
• What was the role of the Electorate?

  Voted an MP to represent their local constituency; in 1900 was limited to wealthier males (around 5.5 million); general elections were mostly held every few years
• What was the role of the House of Commons?

  Comprised MPs elected by their local constituents
• What was the role of the Monarch (Head of State)?

  Unelected; rarely used power to veto bills before they became law; had the power to dismiss PMs - had the power to appoint new Lords on the advice of the PM
• What was the role of the PM (Head of Government)?

  Usually chosen via general election as leader of the most popular political party; appointed by the monarch
• What was the role of the Cabinet Ministers?

  Responsible for day-to-day government of domestic and foreign affairs
• What is meant by the term "veto"?

  The power to prevent a law being passed
• What is meant by the term "foreign policy"?

  A government's strategy in dealing with other nations
• What is meant by the term "parliamentary bill"?

  The draft version of an Act of Parliament, often revised before receiving approval
• Describe legislature in France

  The French National Assembly (Parliament) had two chambers:

  
  

  - The Senate - 1/3 of members were in office for life and 2/3 were elected every 9 years by the electoral college

  
  

  - The Chamber of Deputies - Elected every 4 years by the universal male suffrage
• What was the "electoral college"?

  An elected body voting on behalf of a larger group of voters
• When was the German unification?

  1871
• What did the German Unification do to German politics?

  - Formed the German Empire

  - Otto von Bismarck, Minister-President of Prussia, played a key role

  - A new constitution was created in 1871, which enshrined the power of the Chancellor and Kaiser and limited the power of the Reichstag
• How was power distributed in the German Constitution?

  - Surprisingly liberal

  - Approval for laws needed by both upper and lower houses of Parliament as well as the Kaiser, the Chancellor and the ministers

  - It had the largest franchise in Europe - all men over 25 could vote for members of the Reichstag, who represented the country

  - Members of the Bundesrat - local representation - were not elected and were instead appointed and dismissed by the Kaiser
• How did Bismarck contribute to politics in Germany?

  - Chancellor from 1871-1890 and formerly the Prussian President

  - He fit the criteria for a Chancellor of the united German Empire - he was a keen political operative who understood the geopolitics of modern Europe and worked to change the balance of power to be in Germany's favour

  - Used Realpolitik, which was concerned with looking for the most pragmatic, realistic solution to Germany's problems, focusing less on new liberal ideas and more on gaining and exploiting power
• What was Kulturkampf?

  - German anti-church campaign aiming to eliminate Catholics as Bismarck thought they could never maintain

  loyalty to the state truly due to their higher loyalty to Rome

  
  

  - Removed priests from state service, restricted religious education, elevated civil marriage and arrested and expelled defiant priests and bishops
• How successful was the policy of Kulturkampf?

  - Unsuccessful - inspired widespread concern over the social fabric of the new state, allowing the Catholic centre party to rally the Catholic vote and other supporters to oppose Bismarck's policies

  - Support from other groups, like Protestants, for the Catholics led to the abandonment of the policy
• How did Bismarck solve the issue of the growing power of German workers and their associated political parties?


  - Used a carrot and stick policy

  - Stick = he increased the powers of the police so they could harass workers' groups and unions and break up political meetings

  - Carrot = new social policies introduced, such as pensions, insurance for injured workers and sickness and disability benefits
• Who were the three emperors of the unified German Empire?


  - Wilhelm I (1871-1888)

  - Frederick III (1888)

  - Wilhelm II (1888-1918)
• How did the political power of the Kaiser change under Wilhelm II?

  - He wanted to exert constitutional powers, which put him in conflict with Bismarck, who had hoped to guide the young Kaiser

  - Disputes over domestic and foreign policy led to Bismarck's resignation as chancellor and Wilhelm II took a more direct role in government, stating "I alone decide"

  - The Kaiser could now declare war, make peace, conclude treaties and alliances, propose laws, appoint officials (e.g. chancellor) and convene the Bundesrat and the Reichstag
• What is meant by the term "constitution"?

  A set of rules on how a country should be governed. A constitutional monarch has their power limited by a constitution
• What is meant by the term "autocracy"?

  A system of government by which all power is concentrated in the hands of the ruler and officials whom they appoint. Absolute monarchies are also autocracies
• What is meant by the term "reactionary"?

  Policies which demonstrate a negative response to change
• What did autocracies often mean for the state?

  They often meant that there were many revolts/rebellions since there were no legal means to remove a ruler, little distribution of power with much of it being owned or controlled by the ruler, and citizens often being oppressed
• What was the risk of assassination like in an autocracy?

  High