Political Developments in Wilhelmine Germany

What were the political developments during the Wilhelmine period?

• Polarisation of German politics enabled social and economic change.
• Political developments occurred on the LEFT:
  • This occurred because the URBAN WORKING CLASS GREW, which LED to the EXPANSION of left wing organisations, such as TRADE UNIONS
  • (German trade union was the largest in the world in 1900).
  • The SPD was the main political party on the left.
  • This growth of the working class & the left, provided a CHALLENGE to Germany's Conservative elite.

The political developments on the RIGHT included:

• The RISE of NATIONALIST POLITICS with the DKP.
• This party had German Conservative elements but had an EXTREMIST direction.
• Parties who REPRESENTED the NEW BUSINESS ELITE, became INCREASINGLY CONSERVATIVE, such as the NCP.
• However, PGs SOUGHT to PROTECT the social elite FROM free market policies.
• They did this by PROMOTING NATIONALISM, & COLONIAL & MILITARY EXPANSION.

Political Parties that were right wing included:

• The DKP:
  • This was the German Conservative Party, representing the JUNKERS.
  • STRONG in PRUSSIA & had LINKS with the GOVT.
  • ANTI-SEMITIC & RADICAL ELEMENTS
• The FKP:
  • This was the Free Conservative Party, was SUPPORTED by INDUSTRIALISTS & LANDOWNERS.
  • Had BROAD GEOGRAPHICAL SUPPORT
• The NLP:
  • This was the National Liberal Party, who REPRESENTED BANKERS & INDUSTRIALISTS
  • Supported ECONOMIC & POLITICAL LIBERALISM.
  • Over time, it became SIMILAR to the DKP.

There were other POLITICAL PARTIES in Germany which included:

• The CENTRE PARTY:
  • They REPRESENTED CATHOLICS
  • WORKED MORE with the CONSERVATIVE PARTY.
  • However, at times it SUPPORTED the SPD.
    • E.g. 1906: They SUPPORTED the SPD over the BUDGET

• The SPD:
  • This was the Social Democratic Party
  • SUPPORTED the LEFT & SOCIALISTS
  • Had REVOLUTIONARY AIMS
  • These were mainly MODERATE & REFORMIST

Pressure groups in Germany had also grown:

• The AGRARIAN LEAGUE:
  • Formed of JUNKERS
  • SEEKED to gain PROTECTIONIST MEASURES against competition.
  • Had NATIONALIST & ANTI-SEMITIC MEASURES
  • Had LINKS with the SKP
• The CENTRAL ASSOCIATION of GERMAN INDUSTRIALISTS:
  • Called for TARIFFS to PROTECT GERMAN INDUSTRY against foreign competition.
• The NAVY LEAGUE:
  • CAMPAIGNED for German NAVAL EXPANSION
• The GERMAN COLONIAL LEAGUE & the PAN GERMAN LEAGUE:
  • This PG supported COLONIAL EXPANSION.
  • SOUGHTED a DOMINANT ROLE for Germany in Europe.