germany

• Kaiser Wilhelm II


  Ruler of Germany between 1890-1914
• Kaiser Wilhelm II

  • Energetic and enthusiastic but had a bad temper
  • Had a withered left arm from a birth accident
  • Believed in the divine right of kings and wanted to rule as an autocrat
  • Wanted Germany to become a world power through 'Weltpolitik'
• Germany did not exist as a country until 1871 when it united after defeating France in the Franco-Prussian War
• Prussia was the most powerful of the Germanic states and came to dominate the German government
• After World War 1, much of Prussia's land was given to the new state of Poland, including the Polish Corridor
• Weltpolitik


  The idea that Germany should have a German empire or 'a place in the sun' as a world power
• Kaiser Wilhelm II became the German Kaiser at the age of 29 in 1888 after his father Frederick III died unexpectedly after only ruling for 99 days
• Kaiser Wilhelm II was related to the royal families of Russia and Great Britain, being the eldest grandson of Queen Victoria
• Kaiser Wilhelm II's disability and pressure to perform


  Contributed to his complex character with resilience and determination but also a cruel streak
• Kaiser Wilhelm II had two key aims: to rule as an autocrat and to establish Germany as a world power through Weltpolitik
• Key features of Germany 1890-1914

  • Influence of Prussian militarism
  • Rapid industrialization and economic growth
  • Influence of the Junkers (landowners)
  • Prussia dominating the new German state
  • Population increase from 49 to 68 million
  • Strengthening of the German army
  • Rise of trade unions
• Kaiser

  Inherited the throne, ruled for life, controlled the army, could propose new laws, could dismiss the Reichstag (parliament)
• Reichstag


  German parliament, elected every 3 years, could agree or reject laws proposed by the Kaiser and government
• Chancellor


  Similar to a Prime Minister, could propose new laws but could be dismissed by the Kaiser
• The Social Democratic Party (SPD) became the most popular political party by the end of the era just before World War 1
• Problems facing Kaiser Wilhelm II


  • Growth of parliamentary government and pressure for more democracy
  • Growth of socialism and demands for better working and living conditions
• The German conservatives who helped the Kaiser pass laws began to decline, while left-wing parties like the SPD grew in popularity
• German conservatives

  Political parties that helped the Kaiser pass different laws in the early 1900s
• During the 1900s, the German conservatives began to decline as left-wing political parties such as left-wing liberals and social democrats rose
• The rise of left-wing political parties


  Put pressure on the Kaiser to bring in more democracy and laws to improve workers' conditions
• The Kaiser was resistant to bringing in more democracy and laws to improve workers' conditions
• There was a huge increase in support for the Social Democratic Party (SPD) between 1907 and 1912
• Industrialization

  Led to the growth of a working class in Germany who moved to cities to work in factories and wanted to improve their working and living conditions
• The SPD became the largest political party in the Reichstag, leading to tension between left-wing liberal groups and right-wing conservative groups loyal to the Kaiser
• The Kaiser's response to industrialization and the growth of socialism

  1. Reform (e.g. banning child labour, Sunday working)

  2. Repression (e.g. attacking and putting on trial socialist leaders)
• Rising food prices in the early 1900s created real poverty for people in Germany
• The Kaiser wanted to use repression and be autocratic, but also knew he had to bring in some reform
• Industrialization in Germany

  • Production of iron and coal doubled
  • Germany became a major producer of steel, electrical goods, and chemicals
  • Factory and business owners became rich and influential
  • Population increased significantly between 1890 and 1914
• Population increase in Germany

  Created pressure on living conditions, outbreaks of disease, growing gap between rich and poor, and need for immigration
• Germany was in debt, owing 489 billion marks by 1913 due to industrialization and naval laws
• Prussian military generals


  Exerted a huge influence over Kaiser Wilhelm II and were effectively running the country by the end of World War I
• The Kaiser needed Reichstag approval for military spending, leading to tension between right-wing supporters of the Prussian military and left-wing groups wanting more spending on workers' benefits
• Navy laws


  Laws passed in 1898 and 1900 to significantly increase the size of the German navy
• The navy laws increased Germany's debt and led to higher taxes, with 24% of Germany's annual spending going to the navy
• The navy laws contributed to an arms race between Germany and other powers before World War I
• German colonies before World War I

  • Kaiser Wilhelm's Land (Papua New Guinea)
  • Marshall Islands
  • German East Africa
  • German West Africa (Cameroon)
  • German Southwest Africa
• Before World War I, Germany had an alliance with Austria-Hungary and Italy (the Central Powers), while Britain, France, and Russia formed the Triple Entente
• World War I

  A new type of warfare, a total war where all aspects of civilian life were affected
• Schlieffen Plan


  1. Quick invasion into France through Belgium

  2. Take forces to fight Russia in the East
• World War I descended into trench warfare and a stalemate