Germany and the growth of democracy

• How much power did Kaiser Wilhelm II have?

  • The Kaiser had the power to appoint or dismiss the Chancellor
  • The Kaiser could dissolve the Reichstag (parliament) if he wanted to
  • The Kaiser was in charge of foreign policy
  • The Kaiser was the head of German military
• What were the Armed forces like under the Kaiser?

  Members of the armed forces advised the Kaiser about political decisions rather than MPs and all of these officers swore an oath of loyalty to the Kaiser. These officers were right-wing and from an elite background.
• What was the Chancellor like under the Kaiser?

  • The Chancellor was the Kaiser's chief minister
  • Had the power to appoint ministers to help him make policies
  • Was led by the Bundesrat (federal council) by proposing new subjects, issues and laws to be discussed
  • Had the power to ignore the Reichstag (parliament)
• What was the Bundesrat like under the Kaiser?

  • The Bundesrat was the German federal council
  • Formed from 58 representatives of each German state. Prussian interests dominated
  • Was consulted over government policies
  • Proposed laws to the Reichstag
  • Approved any law the Reichstag made
• What was the composition and powers of the Reichstag?

  The Reichstag was formed from 397 deputies who were elected by German voters (who, at the time, were only men over the age of 25). The Reichstag had the power to pass, alter or reject laws proposed by the Bundesrat or Chancellor. The Reichstag would give or refuse funding for the military once every 5 years.
• How and when did the Reichstag begin to grow?

  By the 1890s. Although Kaiser Wilhelm II could dissolve the Reichstag, he could not stop the elections for parliament. Political parties had begun to form, which meant that the deputies in the Reichstag had their own political agenda. While the deputies did not have huge power, they pressured the government and could shape public opinion.
• What is a Landtag?

  Each state had its own mini-government or mini-Reichstag, called a Landtag. The Prussian Landtag was so influential that it dwarfed all other regional Landtags.
• How much of a threat did the Chancellor pose to the Kaiser?

  Virtually none. The Chancellor was ultimately a puppet for the Kaiser as he could dismiss the Chancellor whenever they disagreed. E.g. Kaiser Wilhelm II removed the threat of Chancellor Bismarck who had effectively ruled Germany since unification in 1871. MPs could not sack the Chancellor: only the Kaiser could.
• What was raising revenue like?

  As Germany was a federal state, individual changes had the power to control income tax. This meant that it was difficult for the central government to raise enough tax for their budget.
• What effect did Prussian militarism influence have?

  Prussia used its influence to emphasise militarism (having a strong military to protect the country). The Prussia army was very powerful and the basis of the German army.
• What were the army officers at the time like and how did this affect Germany?

  The leading army officers were Prussian. The Landtag was Prussian. Bismarck, the Chancellor and the Kaiser were close friends. Prussia effectively continued to rule the Government and military. Prussia had been a military power and focused on military prowess over culture and Prussian officers, along with the Kaiser, wanted Germany to be the most powerful country in the world.
• What were the domestic successes of the Naval Laws from before WW1?

  • Encouraged patriotic love and nationalist sentiment
  • Created more work for businesses and industries
  • It gained the support of the German people as they saw Germany's power over Britain and agreed to support the Kaiser's other policies.
• What were the domestic problems of the Naval Laws?

  • To fund the Navy Laws, the gov raised taxes, affecting workers the most
  • G had to borrow money, which meant State debt increased to 490 billion marks by 1913
  • The Social Democratic Party opposed the Naval Laws cuz they were so expensive
  • Caused arguments between the Kaiser and army leaders because they wanted more money for the army, not the navy
• How did industrialisation affect Germany?

  Industries such as coal, iron and steel grew, with the Ruhr powering Germany's success.

  • By WW1, G's coal production levels matched Britain's
  • By WW1, iron and steel production surpassed Britain
• What were the consequences of industrialisation?

  • Better transport: meaning G could have better communication lines and trade routes
  • By 1914, G were world leaders in industries like electrical products, chemical products and automobiles
  • Famous German automobile companies like Mercedes and Volkswagen grew to fame
• What demographic(population) changes occurred due to Industrialisation?

  • Berlin's population doubled in from 1875 to 1910
  • Urbanisation meant that 60% of G population lived in cities by 1910

  Because of this, living conditions were often bad and many people died from disease
• How did Industrialisation affect immigration?

  The success of Industrialisation attracted many immigrants to German factories and cities. Germans came to increasingly hate 'foreigners', especially to Jews. Wealth became more unevenly distributed between the very wealthy and very poor.
• How was socialism affected by Industrialisation?

  Although some people became wealthier from industrialisation, most workers felt exploited. This led to the rise of socialism (which scared the upper and middle classes)
• What effect did Industrialisation have on the SPD?

  As more workers began work in factories, they wanted to have a larger share of the profits from the industry. From 1890 onwards, the SPD won the most votes in the Reichstag. By 1912, the SPD has the most seats in the Reichstag, though the Kaiser supported the right-wing nationalism than socialism.
• What were the reasons for social reform in Germany?


  To keep the German workers loyal to the State, not because the government genuinely wanted to help improve standards of living for workers. Also, to prevent the workers from voting for the SPD
• What effect did WW1 have on deaths?

  During the war, 2 million troops died from fighting and 4 million were wounded. This left 600,000 women as widows. The home front was also affected by the war as 763,000 civilians died from starvation and a further 150,000 died from the flu pandemic
• What effect did WW1 have on the economy?

  By 1918, industrial production was about 33% lower than it had been in 1913. Germany's debt increased over WW1 from 50 billion marks in 1914 to 150 billion marks in 1918.
• What did the crippled economy after the war lead to?

  Germany printed more money to fund the war effort, which meant the value of German mark fell, leading to inflation.
• How was the distribution of wealth affected by the war?

  The average wage for a worker in 1918 was only 60% of what they earned in 1913, but big armament business owners made lots of money from the war. This caused social problems as workers resented business owners
• What was the effect of the armistice?

  Ebert, leader of the SPD who became the leader of the German Republic, was the one who admitted defeat and signed the armistice with the Allies. Some Germans felt that Germany could have won the war and so were 'stabbed in the back' by Ebert and his gov (they were now known as the 'November Criminals')
• What were the general terms of the Treaty of Versailles?

  • Germany must accept blame for the war (Article 231, the 'War Guilt Clause')
  • Germany must pay £6.6 billion in reparations to the Allies
  • The loss of land in Europe and all German colonies (Germany lost 10% of its land and 12.5% of its population)
• What were the military terms of the Treaty Of Versailles?

  • Maximum of 100,000 soldiers, 15,000 sailors, 6 ships, 0 submarines, and 0 armoured vehicles
  • The demilitarisation of the Rhineland
  • Not being able to join with Austria
• What was the effect of Germany struggling to pay reparations?

  The period of 1919 to 1923 was especially difficult for Weimar Germany as they were unable to pay their reparation instalments. In 1922, Weimar Republic stopped paying their reparations instalments and in 1923, France and Belgium retaliated by seizing the Ruhr.
• Why was the seizing Ruhr important?


  The French and Belgians took control of all factories, mines and railways in the area. The actions of the French and Belgians were legal in the eyes of the international community because of the Treaty of Versailles.
• What was the German reaction to the seizing of the Ruhr?

  Ebert told German workers to go on strike. This was called 'passive resistance'. However, France and Belgium merely brought their own workers in to take their place. Over 8 months, 132 people were killed and 150,000 Germans were kicked out of their homes in the Ruhr.
• When and what was the cause of Hyperinflation?

  When money was printed, govs tied currency to a fixed value of gold but in 1923, Weimar G was printing lots of money without the gold to back it, causing the German mark to fall and the price of goods to increase rapidly.
• What were the consequences of hyperinflation?

  In 1918, a loaf of bread cost 0.6 German marks. By Nov 1923, it cost 201 billion German marks. As prices rose every hour, people bought goods as soon as they were paid and so people carried their money in a wheelbarrow.
• What were the social problems with hyperinflation?

  • People with savings lost their money
  • People with a fixed income could not renegotiate their earnings
  • The elderly's pensions became worthless
  • Small business owners went bankrupt
• What were the benefits of hyperinflation?

  • People with debt could easily repay their debt
  • Famers benefited cuz people paid more for food

  Though, most people suffered and did not get their savings back when hyperinflation ended
• What was the long-lasting effect of hyperinflation?

  Even after the Weimar Republic recovered, these people did not get their savings back. The elderly with fixed pensions suffered. They could not get any more money and so their incomes were destroyed.
• What was the structure of the Weimar Republic (WR) - president?

  The president was the head of the WR and was elected every 7 years. The President had the power to choose key ministers, such as the chancellor. Using Article 48, the President could overrule his government and make laws by decree.
• What was the structure of the Weimar Republic (WR) - government?

  Beneath the President. The Cabinet made political decisions. The Chancellor led the Cabinet.
• What was the structure of the WR - parliament?

  Beneath the government and was formed from the Reichstag and Reichsrat. In parliament, parties were given 'proportional representation' which meant that the party's seats reflected the number of votes it received. The Reichstag and Reichsrat were elected every 4 years. The Reichstag was more powerful and controlled tax whilst the Reichsrat represented each region of Germany.
• What was the structure of the WR - electorate?

  Beneath the parliament. According to the constitution, all men and women over 20 could vote in elections.
• What were the strengths of the Weimar Constitution?

  Was a genuine democracy. It was strong because not one person or group could hold too much power.