Germany - Wilhelmine

• Shadow Kaiser or Authoritarian?

  Authoritarian: he could intervene, Weltpolitik came to rise and he made all key appointments.

  Shadow: lacked political strength, Prussian Elites carried influence, Elites maintained their power.
• Chancellor Caprivi

  1890-1894

  Came up with the 'New Course' which included social reforms, the anti-socialist bills lapsing, more trade union freedom and a reduction in tariffs.

  However, the Army Bill of 1893 reduced service and the budget to every 5 years. He resigned after he failed to reduce SPD numbers.
• Chancellor Hohenlohe

  1894-1900

  Was simply an anti-socialist figurehead and received backlash over imprisoning socialist sympathisers.

  He favoured high tariffs and naval expansion but resigned over colonial expansion.
• Chancellor Bülow

  1900-1909

  He was a trusted chancellor and began to win over the working-class but had to resign over scandals.

  1907: Hottentot election - Reichstag was dissolved and the SPD lost 1/2 of their seats (Bulow Bloc)

  1907: Eulenburg affair (homosexuals)

  1908: Daily Telegraph (Also tutu Chief incident)
• Chancellor Bethmann-Hollweg

  1909-1917

  Had to face impossible tasks of fixing the budget deficit and Left-wing demand. But he let the Kaiser take control of the army so Wilhelm kept him in.

  1913: Zabern Affair: officers arrested 28 civilians.
• Weltpolitik - 1897


  Naval expansion - Naval laws of 1898 and 1900.
• Industrial expansion

  By 1914, Germany was a powerhouse. 3rd largest creditor, 190 million tons of coal produced. But Germany was importing more than it was exporting and production was too reliant on the coal
• Society in the 1890's

  Unemployment was as low as 1-2%, there were 4X more people working in agriculture than Britain (despite it being on the decline) and wages were on the rise.
• Political Parties

  SPD: biggest socialist party in Europe by 1914.

  Centre Party: biggest party till 1912, no real influence.

  National Liberals: lots of support until 1879 - 1890.

  Conservatives: anti-socialist, support from the Kaiser.

  Pressure groups: anti-socialist, anti-semitic and lots of influence.
• Social Change for women

  1894: BDF formed to help women

  1899: women could gain medical qualifications.

  1909: universities allowed attendance.

  1926: abortion remained unlawful till this point.

  Much more opportunities in teaching, nursing etc.
• Society improvements

  Real wages increased 30% by 1913, working day reduced to 9 and a half hours, longer lives and more doctors.

  Rural sector suffered with up to 100 hour weeks, lower-class and unskilled were vulnerable to layoffs.
• Culture and prejudice

  Antisemitism was on the rise with nationalism fueling it, Social Darwinists believed in the supremacy of the Aryan race. Despite this, Germany was classed as a safe-haven.

  Avant-garde was about nature and symbolism. Mainly for elites and those high in society.

  Contempri culture was common for those in the middle classes.