How was Germany’s style of governance in 1871-1918 democratic?
- Members of the reichstag could agree/reject laws proposed by the Kaiser
- Many parties
- Reichsrat: Elected ambassador from each state, had a veto on laws
- Vote every 3 years
- Written constitution
How was Germany’s style of governance in 1871-1918 undemocratic?
- Only male suffrage
- Could not remove chancellor/government
- Kaiser: Inherited power, appointed/dismissed gov./ministers
- Could dissolve Reichstag
- Controlled foreign policy
- No statement on individual rights in the constitution
Kaiser Wilhelm’s childhood
- Accident at birth, had a withered left arm and partially deaf. Then had shock therapy and was made to wear a brace
- Very strict parents
- Visited England/Queen Victoria often, was jealous of Britain’s Empire and powerful navy
Kaiser Wilhelm’s personality
- Highly unstable/erratic
- Jealous, eager to prove himself
Relationship with the family
- Very strict
- Visited Viccy often
- No allowances made for him when horse-riding so had great anxiety
Kaiser Wilhelm’s effect on foreign policy
- Wanted a great empire/navy to rival Britain/France
- Began naval arms race with battleships (WELTPOLITIK - Naval laws)
What part of German society supported The Kaiser’s military build-up?
The Great land-owning German families
Who didn’t support Kaiser’s military build-up?
The working classes
- Not interested in empire
- Wanted a greater share of the national wealth (increase in living standards)
- Kaiser didn’t care, and taxed everyone highly
What was The Kaiser’s personal philosophy regarding war?
He believed that war would bring the German people closer together
What was the effect of The Kaiser’s policies and ideologies on the German people?
As a result of high taxes, socialism became more popular
What was the German attitude to war pre-WW1?
- Men thrilled: eager to prove themselves, patriotic
- Expansion of German Empire in Europe quite appealing
What changed in German attitudes in 1917?
- War fatigue appears, food shortages due to British naval blockades
- Winter of 1917 = Turnip winter: Disease and starvation
- Deutschmark loses 75% of its value between 1913-18, real earning fell by 20-30%
- Managed to knock Russia out of war in March 1918
What did Germany do in March of 1918?
Germany launches a Spring Offensive to hopefully end the war, fails. By August 1918, the Generals can see it’s only a matter of time.
