The Second Reich: German government and society, 1900-1919: Constitution and Social/Economic Developments
- Created by: Holly Lans
- Created on: 11-05-16 18:04
View mindmap
- The Second Reich: Society and Government in Germany, 1900-1919
- Constitution
- Created by Otto von Bismarck in 1871 following German unification after winning Franco-Prussian war
- Sought to protect powers of Prussia and Prussian elites, whilst allowing element of popular democracy
- Powers
- Kaiser: Divine right to rule, commander in chief of army, in charge of foreign policy, appointment and dismissal of Chancellor, dissolution of Reichstag, president of Bundesrat
- Chancellor: Responsible for presenting legislation, implemented laws, only accountable to Kaiser (who usually appointed members of Prussian Junker elite to the position
- Reichstag: Only democratic element of constitution (elected through universal suffrage of all men over 25), had power to vote to accept/reject or amend legislation, responsible for defense budget
- Army: 'state within a state': ruled itself, could overthrow Kaiser through military coup, swore oath of allegiance to Kaiser
- Bundesrat: could initiate legislation - if 14+ members voted against a law it could be vetoed
- Created by Otto von Bismarck in 1871 following German unification after winning Franco-Prussian war
- Economic and Social development 1890-1914: 'whirlwind boom period' - Wehler
- GNP rise from 33-42% due to industry between 1890-1914
- Increase in number of population working in industrial and service sectors of the economy
- 1900: Germany exceeding Britain's level of steel production: e.g. Germany: 6.46 million tonnes and Britain: 4.98 million tonnes
- World trade equal to Britain's by 1914
- Steel production x2 of Britain's by 1914: Germany 13.10 million tonnes, Britain 6.48 million tonnes
- World trade equal to Britain's by 1914
- Economy (avg) grew by 4.5% per year between 1890-1914
- Coal production doubled in this period: 1890 - 89.2 million tonnes, 1910 - 222.2 million tonnes
- Improved transport and infrastructure offered travel and industrial development: trains, tramways and trolley buses were introduced
- Produced 90% of the worlds synthetic and pharma-ceutical dyes
- Produced 50% of worlds electrical goods e.g. AEG, Siemens became huge electrical companies
- Scientific pre-eminence: 1901-1914 1/3 of all Nobel Prizes were awarded to German scientists, 1909: Haber process of 'fixing nitrogen' allowed artificial fertilizers to be produced on an industrial scale
- 1910: Highest rate in Europe of people living in urban areas - 60%
- Berlin had excess of 2 million inhabitants due to urbanisation
- Poor living an sanitary conditions led to outbreak of Cholera in 1892: 8,600 deaths in 6 weeks in Hamburg as a result
- Water filtering systems and new sewage systems introduced as a result
- Poor living an sanitary conditions led to outbreak of Cholera in 1892: 8,600 deaths in 6 weeks in Hamburg as a result
- Berlin had excess of 2 million inhabitants due to urbanisation
- Wage increase after 1896
- However: 1907 3.45 million unskilled workers in Germany
- Discontent towards poor working and living conditions made TU membership rise to over 3 million by 1913
- Number of workers increased from 23.40 million in 1895 to 30.97 million in 1913
- Mittelstandt (small business owners) were often discontented due to concern of industry threatening their living standards
- Junkers wanted to conserve their status and were concerned about rise of Socialism
- However: 1907 3.45 million unskilled workers in Germany
- Constitution
Comments
No comments have yet been made