Chancellor Caprivi

Before succeeding Bismarck as CHANCELLOR, in 1890, Caprivi was:

• The former Prussian army officer & head admirality
• Man of principle
• However this meant that he was inexperienced politically.
• He was different to Bismarck because he was un willing to just follow the wishes of the Kaiser, as he wanted to push for what he believed in.
  • E.g. He was against the anti-socialist laws, employing state socialism policy against the Kaiser's wish.

Caprivi had a better policy towards the threat of the Socialists, than Bismarck did because:

• His 'NEW COURSE' was more conciliatory to Social Democrats
• He repealed Bismarck's anti-Socialist law, which enabled the him to COOPERATE with the CENTRE & SOCIAL DEMOCRATS.
• INTRODUCED a policy of STATE SOCIALISM, in the hope of WINNING the MODERATE LEFT from expanding SPD.
• This was where:
  • RESTRICTIONS were made on CHILD LABOUR (no child under 13 were allowed to be employed).
  • NO BRIBES were made to the PRESS to make up anti-socialist stories
  • NO WORK on a SUNDAY
  • LOWER TARIFFS= CHEAPER EXPORTATION, expanding German industry.
  • INDUSTRIAL COURTS INTRODUCED
• Caprivi did this thinking that he could RECONCILE the WORKING CLASS to the established order.
• However, Caprivi still did NOT LIKE the SOCIALISTS

Progressive income tax, means that the upper class pays more tax from their higher wage, and the working class would pay a lower proportion. Caprivi was worried that high tariffs would damage German trade. Therefore he:

• SIGNED various TRADE TREATIES between 1890-1894:
  • These offered German trading partners a REDUCTION in TARIFFS in return for an easier ACCESS to FOREIGN MARKETS.
• Consequently, tariffs were reduced, which gave the German ECONOMY a lift, introducing PROGRESSIVE INCOME TAX.
• However, this was hated by LANDOWNERS, who formed a PG called the FARMERS' LEAGUE against these treaties.
• This meant that Caprivi FAVOURED industrial over agrarian interests, by negotiating a series of reciprocal trade agreements to stimulate industrial exports.
• Therefore there was much AGRARIAN OPPOSITION towards CAPRIVI, which contributed to his dismissal.

The Army Bill of 1892 was the first step in the military build up to the First World War, under Wilhelm:

• The Bill was a response to the Franco Russian Entente, which provided an EXTRA 84,000 new recruits.
• Therefore, it signified an important extention in the influence of the army, which is why the upper classes detested Caprivi.
• However, this Bill reduced conscription from 3 to 2 years, and debate of the army grant was reduced from 7 to 5 years.
• Once Wilhelm had decided to drop his 'Labour Kaiser' facade following the assassination of the French President Carnot, Caprivi resigned as he REFUSED to DRAFT a Bill AGAINST 'SUBVERSIVE ELEMENTS' (the SOCIALISTS)

The Army Bill of 1892 was the first step in the military build up to the First World War, under Wilhelm:

• The Bill was a response to the Franco Russian Entente, which provided an EXTRA 84,000 new recruits.
• Therefore, it signified an important extention in the influence of the army, which is why the upper classes detested Caprivi.
• However, this Bill reduced conscription from 3 to 2 years, and debate of the army grant was reduced from 7 to 5 years.
• Once Wilhelm had decided to drop his 'Labour Kaiser' facade following the assassination of the French President Carnot, Caprivi resigned as he REFUSED to DRAFT a Bill AGAINST 'SUBVERSIVE ELEMENTS' (the SOCIALISTS)

Caprivi described his resignation as:

• 'My relations with the All Highest have become intolerable. You cannot imagine how relieved i will feel to get out of here.'
• By 1894, Caprivi was hated by the upper class following the Army Bill.
• Caprivi REFUSED to DRAFT a Bill AGAINST the Socialists that the Kaiser wanted him to do, because he didn't want to make the same mistakes as Bismarck.
• In OCTOBER 1894, Caprivi RESIGNED at the age of 75.