History of Modern Germany
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Questions and Answers

What was the lower house of the German parliament called?

  • Reichstag (correct)
  • Reichsrac
  • Bundestag
  • Volkskammer
  • What was the outcome of the socialist movement in Germany by 1912?

  • It captured two-thirds of German votes
  • It captured one-third of German votes (correct)
  • It did not gain significant support
  • It captured half of German votes
  • What type of government did the drafters of the German constitution look to as a model?

  • Parliamentary system (correct)
  • Presidential system
  • Monarchical system
  • Authoritarian system
  • What was the result of the decision to replace the German Kaiser with a strong president?

    <p>A more unstable government</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the name of the upper house of the German parliament?

    <p>Reichsrac</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the event that led to the formation of the Weimar Republic?

    <p>Germany's defeat in World War I</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the policy launched by FRG Chancellor Willy Brandt in 1969?

    <p>Ostpolitik</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the name of the community that the FRG joined in 1952?

    <p>European Coal and Steel Community</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was Bismarck's approach to the constitution's democratic allowances?

    <p>He bullied or circumvented them</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the outcome of Bismarck's policy of rapid industrialization and imperialist expansion?

    <p>Germany surpassed Britain in iron production</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of government did Germany constitute after the sudden departure of the emperor?

    <p>Republic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the outcome of the elected assembly meeting in Weimar in 1918?

    <p>A new constitution was drafted</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What feature did the Weimar Republic's constitution offer?

    <p>Universal suffrage for all adults</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Bismarck encourage the creation of?

    <p>Multiple political parties</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the outcome of Bismarck's skillful playing of multiple political parties?

    <p>He was able to control them</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of elections did the Weimar Republic's constitution offer?

    <p>Universal suffrage elections</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of government did the Weimar Republic have?

    <p>Dual executive, semi-presidential system</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What electoral system was adopted by the Weimar Republic?

    <p>Proportional representation without minimum threshold</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following challenges did the Weimar Republic face?

    <p>Hyperinflation due to war reparations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which system was characterized by the president being popularly elected in the Weimar Republic?

    <p>Semi-presidential system</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a consequence of the lack of a minimum threshold in the Weimar electoral system?

    <p>Proliferation of small parties</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What year did Germany reunify as GDR was incorporated into FRG?

    <p>1990</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What consequence did the Treaty of Versailles have on Germany?

    <p>Burden of reparations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which political leader was elected as chancellor in Germany in 2005?

    <p>Angela Merkel</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the largest country in Europe, in terms of population?

    <p>Germany</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is NOT a political, social, or cultural value embraced by Germans, according to the text?

    <p>Strong support for traditional, conservative values</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main challenge posed by globalization to Germany's welfare state, as mentioned in the text?

    <p>Loss of economic competitiveness due to global competition</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the type of government system Germany has?

    <p>Parliamentary system</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is a major contributing factor to Germany's economic success?

    <p>Emphasis on technological innovation and industrialization</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the impact of Germany's history of hypernationalism, as mentioned in the text?

    <p>Distrust and skepticism towards international cooperation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main reason behind Germany's division in 1945, according to the text?

    <p>Consequences of World War II and the Cold War</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of election system is likely used in Germany, considering its emphasis on social-democratic values and its history of strong political parties?

    <p>Proportional representation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of government was established in unified Germany after Bismarck's influence?

    <p>Authoritarian monarchy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The political power in the unified German state was primarily held by whom?

    <p>The emperor, or kaiser</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following groups lent their support to Bismarck's authoritarian government?

    <p>Industrialists and farmers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a significant consequence of Germany's defeat in 1918?

    <p>The abdication of the emperor</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement accurately describes the nature of the elections during Bismarck's regime?

    <p>Elections had limited democratic aspects with power controlled by the monarchy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one reason workers were dissatisfied under Bismarck's rule?

    <p>They fought in wars without having an equal vote</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term best describes Bismarck's political strategy?

    <p>Revolution from above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary focus of the first German national constitution established after unification?

    <p>To preserve the emperor's sovereignty</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    German History and Politics

    • 1989: Berlin Wall falls
    • 1990: Germany reunified as GDR is incorporated into FRG
    • 1993: Germany becomes a founding member of the European Union
    • 2005: Angela Merkel elected to first of four terms as chancellor

    Weimar Republic (1919-1933)

    • Adopted a proportional representation (PR) electoral system
    • No minimum threshold of votes, leading to a proliferation of parties
    • No party ever won an outright majority in the Reichscag, leading to weak and short-lived coalitions
    • The president, as head of state, was directly and popularly elected
    • The chancellor, as head of government, was nominated by the president and could rule through emergency decree under threatening circumstances

    Unification and Expansion

    • Otto von Bismarck, prime minister of Prussia, led the process of unification and expansion
    • Bismarck's "revolution from above" brought about the first unified modern German state
    • Industrialization and imperialist expansion were key aspects of Bismarck's policies
    • By the early 20th century, Germany had surpassed Britain in iron production and become a leading industrial power

    Post-WW1 and the Weimar Republic

    • Germany faced internal and external challenges, including the Treaty of Versailles, hyperinflation, and the loss of overseas colonies
    • The Weimar Republic struggled to establish a stable democracy
    • Workers and liberals questioned the authoritarian government and the lack of equal voting rights
    • The emperor's assurances of reform were too little, too late, leading to his abdication and the proclamation of Germany as a republic

    The Breakdown of Democracy

    • The political vacuum after WW1 led to the establishment of the Weimar Republic
    • The constitution was modeled after the British parliamentary system, but with a strong president rather than a monarch
    • This choice ultimately doomed the republic, as the president's powers were too great
    • The seeds of cynicism and elitism sown in this era would grow into extremism and fascist totalitarianism

    Modern Germany

    • Today, Germany is a prominent player in the world and Europe
    • It is Europe's largest exporter, the world's third-largest economy, and a key member of the European Union
    • Germans generally embrace social-democratic values, post-materialist concerns, and European integration
    • However, Germany's history and politics have posed interesting puzzles for comparative political scientists

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    Description

    Test your knowledge of significant events in modern German history, including the fall of the Berlin Wall and Germany's reunification.

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