Second Reich Reforms

• The Anti-Socialist Laws 1878-1890 actually encouraged the working class's eagerness for political action.
• 1907 - SPD leadership aimed towards reformism
• By 1914 there were approx 2.5 million German workers who were members of trade unions.
• 400,000 of them went out on strike at some time during 1913 for better working conditions.
• 1910 - SPD had 720,000 members - largest socialist party in Europe.
• 1912 election - the SPD became the largest party in the Reichstag - 110 seats. Gaining up to 75% of the vote on the eve of war.

Nationalist

• German Colonial League (1882)
• The Pan German League (1890)
• The Navy League (1898)

Economic

• The Central Association of German Industrialists (1886)
• The Agrarian League (1893)

• Aggressive foreign policy - demands for international expansion.

• Demands for constitutional reforms - strengthening the power of the Reichstag.

• The demand for social reform.

• 1898 - von Tirpitz's first Navy Law. Supporters say - large fleet necessary for protection of Colonies and Germany's 'Great Power' status.
• Tirpitz's risk theory -  strong navy as deterrrent to prevent other naval powers from attacking it.
• 1900 2nd Navy Law - 38 battleships in 20 years.
• 1906 response to Dreadnought - 3rd Navy Law - 6 battle cruisers, widening Kiel Canal

Count Arthur von Posadowsky Interior Minister

• Old Age and Invalidity Law - amended June 1899.  Increase OA Pensions, extension of compulsary insurance.
• 1900 extension of accident insurance
• December 1902 - new Tariff Law! Restored higher duty on  agricultural imports = rise in food prices - influence Agrarian Leauge. However this resulted in a rise in support for SPD plus balance of power to Centre Party.
• April 1903 Sickness Insurance Law Amendment - 26 weeks
• Late 1908 - No children under 13 to be employed.
• Limiting to six hour day for kids aged 13-14 and 10 hours for kids aged 14-16.

• Attempt to reform Prussian Voting System in 1910 - blatantly unfair (illustrated by 1908 election to Prussian Landtag. Conservatives: 16% of the vote, 212 seats, SPD: 23% of vote, 7 seats) But shot down by conservative opposition - protecting elites.
• Started taking control of Polish estates in the East - to please the conservatives, redistribution of land to German peasantry.
• 1911 Imperial Insurance Code - consolidation of all previous German workers insurance laws, amended and extended.
• White collar workers insured seperately.