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Bismarck

Bismarck . Domestic Policy for the Second German Reich . Government of the Second Reich . Federal system of government German states still had political power over their state and each state maintain its own government No true imperial cabinet The Prime Minister = only imperial minister

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Bismarck

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  1. Bismarck Domestic Policy for the Second German Reich

  2. Government of the Second Reich • Federal system of government • German states still had political power over their state and each state maintain its own government • No true imperial cabinet • The Prime Minister = only imperial minister • Other ministerial posts often held by the same person with similar position within the Prussian govt. • Ministerial Reich departments will develop as the needs for the empire increase • Much overlap between the government of Prussia and the new government of Germany

  3. National currency – the Reichsmark – based on the gold standard • National bank • National legal code and court system

  4. The Kaiser = the emperor of Germany • King of Prussia – largest state in the new German union • Right to appoint all imperial officials • Responsible for German foreign policy • Commander of the German Army • Could call or dissolve the German Parliament • Could initiate domestic policy through the chancellor

  5. The Chancellor • Appointed by the Kaiser and only responsible to the Kaiser • Virtually ruled the new German state

  6. The Bundesrat • Upper House of the German Parliament • Members nominated by the governments of the German states • Number of seats determined by the population of the German state • Dominated by Prussia = largest state – most seats • Had the power to initiate legislation

  7. The Reichstag • Lower House of the German Parliament • 397 members elected by universal male suffrage • Power to initiate legislation – had to be approved by the Bundesrat • Power to veto legislation passed by the Bundesrat • Needed to approve new appropriations bills – especially those for the army and navy

  8. The Kulturkampf • “The Cultural Struggle” • Represents Bismarck’s attack on the Roman Catholic Church inside the new German state • Southern German states = Catholic • Loyalty of Catholic citizens came into question – will they support Germany or the Catholic church • Feared possible political alliance with Austria and France = both Catholic • Bismarck did NOT have national support for the Kulturkampf • Prussia – passed the May Laws of 1873 • Effort to place the Roman Catholic Church under state control

  9. Prussia – passed the May Laws of 1873 • Effort to place the Roman Catholic Church under state control • Laws restricted Catholic worship and Catholic education • Catholic bishops and clergy were arrested or expelled from Germany • Laws restricting Catholic publications • Resulted in the jailing of numerous Catholic priests – often supported by members of their congregation • Catholics created the Center Party to represent Catholic political interests • Developed into strong oppositional party in the Reichstag

  10. Kulturkampf FAILED • Bismarck decided to end the Kulturkampf in 1878 • Negotiated with Pope Leo XIII (new pope) to reestablish relations with the Vatican and German Catholic population • Needed political support of the Center Party against the Liberal Party

  11. The Anti-Socialist Campaign • 1874 – Bismarck clashed with the Reichstag over military expenditures • Government wanted a seven year military budget (septennate) • Passed with the National Liberals – nationalist values • Liberals refuse other national taxes to support the idea of free trade and did not want to give up power over the budget • 1875 – Creation of the Social Democratic Party • Socialism became more popular with the economic depression of the early 1870s

  12. Bismarck campaigned for anti-socialist laws (1876/1878) • Liberals opposed the legislation – believed the law took rights away from everyone • Bismarck dissolved the Reichstag and called for new elections • More conservative parliament elected because of Bismarck’s propaganda • 1878 – Anti-Socialist law passed • Social Democratic party declared illegal • Party cannot meet; newspapers shut down

  13. Anti-Socialist Laws FAIL! • Membership of the party increased from 300,000 to 1.5 million between 1878 and 1890 • Socialist Democratic party increased seats in the Reichstag from 9 to 35. • Coincided with industrial development

  14. Tariff Laws (1879) • 1873 – Germany entered into economic depression caused by end of speculation boom following the unification of the empire • 1879 – Supported the passage of tariffs to protect agriculture and industry • Supported by the Center Party, conservative land owners (the Junkers), business/industrial owners • Protected industry from foreign competition – esp. Great Britain • Protected agriculture from foreign grain imports from US and Russia • Move away from free trade philosophy

  15. Tariffs improved the economy of Germany and allowed for an industrial revolution • German industrial production surpassed GB and France • European leader in iron, steel, coal production • Development of industrial cartels (monopolies) • Increase in railroad mileage • Increase in merchant marine • Industry linked with university research • Chemicals industry – fertilizer

  16. State Socialism • Instituted govt. insurance program for workers – sickness, accident, incapacity in old age. • Effort to weaken the power of the Social Democratic Party

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