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Questions and Answers
What was the lower house of the German parliament called?
What was the lower house of the German parliament called?
What was the outcome of the socialist movement in Germany by 1912?
What was the outcome of the socialist movement in Germany by 1912?
What type of government did the drafters of the German constitution look to as a model?
What type of government did the drafters of the German constitution look to as a model?
What was the result of the decision to replace the German Kaiser with a strong president?
What was the result of the decision to replace the German Kaiser with a strong president?
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What was the name of the upper house of the German parliament?
What was the name of the upper house of the German parliament?
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What was the event that led to the formation of the Weimar Republic?
What was the event that led to the formation of the Weimar Republic?
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What was the policy launched by FRG Chancellor Willy Brandt in 1969?
What was the policy launched by FRG Chancellor Willy Brandt in 1969?
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What was the name of the community that the FRG joined in 1952?
What was the name of the community that the FRG joined in 1952?
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What was Bismarck's approach to the constitution's democratic allowances?
What was Bismarck's approach to the constitution's democratic allowances?
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What was the outcome of Bismarck's policy of rapid industrialization and imperialist expansion?
What was the outcome of Bismarck's policy of rapid industrialization and imperialist expansion?
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What type of government did Germany constitute after the sudden departure of the emperor?
What type of government did Germany constitute after the sudden departure of the emperor?
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What was the outcome of the elected assembly meeting in Weimar in 1918?
What was the outcome of the elected assembly meeting in Weimar in 1918?
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What feature did the Weimar Republic's constitution offer?
What feature did the Weimar Republic's constitution offer?
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What did Bismarck encourage the creation of?
What did Bismarck encourage the creation of?
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What was the outcome of Bismarck's skillful playing of multiple political parties?
What was the outcome of Bismarck's skillful playing of multiple political parties?
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What type of elections did the Weimar Republic's constitution offer?
What type of elections did the Weimar Republic's constitution offer?
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What type of government did the Weimar Republic have?
What type of government did the Weimar Republic have?
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What electoral system was adopted by the Weimar Republic?
What electoral system was adopted by the Weimar Republic?
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Which of the following challenges did the Weimar Republic face?
Which of the following challenges did the Weimar Republic face?
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Which system was characterized by the president being popularly elected in the Weimar Republic?
Which system was characterized by the president being popularly elected in the Weimar Republic?
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What was a consequence of the lack of a minimum threshold in the Weimar electoral system?
What was a consequence of the lack of a minimum threshold in the Weimar electoral system?
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What year did Germany reunify as GDR was incorporated into FRG?
What year did Germany reunify as GDR was incorporated into FRG?
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What consequence did the Treaty of Versailles have on Germany?
What consequence did the Treaty of Versailles have on Germany?
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Which political leader was elected as chancellor in Germany in 2005?
Which political leader was elected as chancellor in Germany in 2005?
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What is the largest country in Europe, in terms of population?
What is the largest country in Europe, in terms of population?
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Which of these is NOT a political, social, or cultural value embraced by Germans, according to the text?
Which of these is NOT a political, social, or cultural value embraced by Germans, according to the text?
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What is the main challenge posed by globalization to Germany's welfare state, as mentioned in the text?
What is the main challenge posed by globalization to Germany's welfare state, as mentioned in the text?
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What is the type of government system Germany has?
What is the type of government system Germany has?
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Which of these is a major contributing factor to Germany's economic success?
Which of these is a major contributing factor to Germany's economic success?
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What is the impact of Germany's history of hypernationalism, as mentioned in the text?
What is the impact of Germany's history of hypernationalism, as mentioned in the text?
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What is the main reason behind Germany's division in 1945, according to the text?
What is the main reason behind Germany's division in 1945, according to the text?
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What type of election system is likely used in Germany, considering its emphasis on social-democratic values and its history of strong political parties?
What type of election system is likely used in Germany, considering its emphasis on social-democratic values and its history of strong political parties?
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What type of government was established in unified Germany after Bismarck's influence?
What type of government was established in unified Germany after Bismarck's influence?
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The political power in the unified German state was primarily held by whom?
The political power in the unified German state was primarily held by whom?
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Which of the following groups lent their support to Bismarck's authoritarian government?
Which of the following groups lent their support to Bismarck's authoritarian government?
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What was a significant consequence of Germany's defeat in 1918?
What was a significant consequence of Germany's defeat in 1918?
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Which statement accurately describes the nature of the elections during Bismarck's regime?
Which statement accurately describes the nature of the elections during Bismarck's regime?
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What was one reason workers were dissatisfied under Bismarck's rule?
What was one reason workers were dissatisfied under Bismarck's rule?
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Which term best describes Bismarck's political strategy?
Which term best describes Bismarck's political strategy?
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What was the primary focus of the first German national constitution established after unification?
What was the primary focus of the first German national constitution established after unification?
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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.