The Unification of Germany

The Unification of Germany

• Germany wasn't always unified like England is; until 1871, modern Germany comprised 25 independent states.
• Prussia was the most powerful of these states, led by Prime Minister Otto von Bismarck.
• Bismarck aimed to unite the German states into a strong nation under Prussian leadership and initiated three wars with Denmark, Austria, and France to achieve this goal.
• Victory in these wars fostered unity and pride among the German states.
• In 1871, after defeating France in the Franco-Prussian War, German state leaders united to form the German Empire, crowning Wilhelm II of Prussia as Kaiser.
• This unification significantly shifted the balance of power in Europe by creating a powerful Germany.
• Before 1871, the 25 independent German states each had their own laws, leaders, and customs.
• Some German states feared invasion from France or Russia.
• A unified country with Prussia's military strength would deter potential invasions.
• Prussia's victory in the Franco-Prussian War and annexation of Alsace-Lorraine increased its power, persuading other German states to unite.
• Austria opted out of unification but remained allies with the newly formed Germany.

Impact of the unification of Germany

• Unification boosted Germany, allowing rapid industrialization by combining the workforce of the German states.
• Prussia's strong military enhanced Germany's position as a powerful European nation.
• Germany gained a clear leader in the Kaiser, who had a vision for Germany’s future.
• France felt resentment towards the unified Germany because of the Franco-Prussian War, and sought revenge to get Alsace-Lorraine back
• Britain grew fearful of the potential power of the unified Germany.

Kaiser Wilhelm II & the Government

• The Kaiser held total power as head of state and Commander-in-Chief of the army with control over the military and decisions on foreign policy like Weltpolitik.
• The Kaiser controlled government institutions, and could dismiss the elected Reichstag or ignore its decisions, and appointed the chancellor.
• Many citizens grew frustrated as they felt that the government didn't have a real voice in the government due to the weakness of the Reichstag.
• Prioritizing military power put strain on the economy, leading to high taxes, which caused anger and unrest, especially by 1918.
• Wilhelm II became Kaiser of Prussia unexpectedly at 29 in 1888, he was Queen Victoria's grandson, and cousin to Britain's future King George V, and spent most of his youth in the Army.
• Wilhelm II had clear goals for Germany's foreign policy.

Weltpolitik

• Weltpolitik, German for ‘world policy’, aimed for Germany to gain a ‘place in the sun’ through expanding its empire to earn global respect.
• The Kaiser's goals included acquiring more colonies in Africa, building up Germany’s armed forces, a large navy to gain colonies, and a strong army.
• During the Scramble for Africa in 1885, Germany only obtained four colonies in Africa, which was considered unfair to the Kaiser.

Germany's government in 1871

• When Germany unified there were considerations for the new German government, included its type, the independence of German states, and how policies were decided
• The Kaiser could be an autocrat or heed advice, each German state could govern locally or comply centrally, policies could be decided solely by him, via a government, or an elected system
• The German government from 1871 onwards was structured around the Kaiser, Bundesrat, and Reichstag, but the Kaiser retained ultimate control.
• The Kaiser chose the Chancellor, who provided the Kaiser with political advice.
• The Bundesrat consisted of 58 state representatives, with Prussia holding 17 seats.
• The Reichstag had 397 representatives elected every 5 years, with parties including Conservatives, Centre, Social Democrats (SPD), and Liberals.
• All men over 25 could vote.

Issues with the government system in 1871

• The Kaiser had unlimited control, without listening to his Chancellor's advice.
• The Chancellor could be replaced for not pleasing the Kaiser, ministers could be fired, the Reichstag could be dissolved, and the approval of the Reichstag was not needed.
• The Kaiser had ultimate power to declare war, make treaties, and ignore advice on military and foreign policies.
• Each state controlled their taxation, creating difficulties for the Kaiser to raise taxes, Prussia dominated German politics, and other German states lacked fair representation in the Bundesrat.

Prussian Militarism

• Post-1871, Germany needed a strong army for protection and European positioning, the country felt surrounded and feared revenge for earlier wars, and wanted the army for security, unity, and global power.
• Militarism involves having strong armed forces and it increases national pride (patriotism)
• It employs people in the armed forces and armament production and increases feelings of national safety.
• Worldwide tensions and aggressive foreign policy needs strong armed focus.
• To unify, the Prussian Army had defeated many major countries.
• Military power remained after the new German Army, the Kaiser stayed Commander-in-Chief, and Prussian officers created and followed military tactics.
• Wealthy landowners controlled the army, represented Prussia in the Bundesrat, held 17 of 58 seats, and could block laws with 14 votes, giving them significant influence over German politics.

Pre-war Industrialisation in Germany

• By the 1900s, Europe was quite industrialised, however, different rates of industrialisation in different countries
• Britain was the leader in industrialisation with its industrial economy, powerful navy, and overseas trade networks, making it wealthy and advanced.
• Post 1900, France industrialised but not as much as Britain, and still relied on agricultural with luxury based goods and fashion.
• Russia was the least industrialised of Germany's neighbours which resulted in slow industrial development.
• Industrialisation is the transition of an economy from agricultural to industrial, with money traditionally made through agriculture with the growth of specific crops.
• During the 18th and 19th centuries, switching from agriculture to manufacturing increased reliability, with people moving from the countryside into towns to work in factories who relied on empires in the early 1900's

The growth of industry in pre-war Germany

• Germany industrialised rapidly after unification, and by 1914, Germany had one of the most industrialised economies in Europe.
• Germany dominated the 'heavy industries', the country produced two thirds of Europe's steel, Germany dominated them.
• To remember the areas of industry that Germany dominated, use the acronym HEC (Heavy, Electrical, Chemical)

The impact of industrialisation on German society

• Industrialisation had a big social impact, and the working classes became its largest group which could possess significant power if they unite
• Only people in working-class could express political views through the Reichstag which had weak Government influence of policymaking
• By 1910, 60% of Germans lived in towns overcrowding, poor living, and bad working conditions
• The middle and upper classes profited from industrialisation and were influential
• Kaiser Wilhelm II was worried about the effects of industrialisation on society.

The Growth of Socialism in Pre-war Germany

• Before WWI Socialism gained traction, in Germany to workers wanting better working conditions, as the Social Democratic Party (SPD), was the Reichstag's largest party to people unhappy with low wages, long hours, and poor conditions
• Socialism campaigns for improvements to working conditions, and for things such as public health insurance
• Socialism was an idea from 19th century Germany about who should be in charge of a country, how businesses operate, and how people should be afforded.

What is socialism?

• Socialism believes that the Government should run all businesses (nationalism), and everyone is paid and treated equally, whatever their wealth or place in society.
• Socialism became popular among the working classes from the 1900s.
• Industrialisation grew with the conditions in towns and cities

The conditions in towns and cities

• Industrialisation had Germans moving to towns and cities to work, leading to an increase in the population.
• The growth also meant that workers lived in substandard housing, without enough jobs, increases poverty, unemployment, and lower wages.
• Employeers did not intend to improve working conditions as employees could be replaced
• Socialism intended to improve the lives of workers, with Trade Unions representing to protect their peoples rights.
• By 1914, around three million workers were Trade Unions, and strikes negatively impacted the economy
• Socialism promoted the creation of trade unions, placing pressure on the government.

The Social Democratic Party (SPD)

• By the late 1880s, the new socialist SDP policy was formed.
• The SPD aims included gaining seats in the Reichstag, implementing social reforms for workers, and reduce power of landowners and factory owners.
• The SPD was the biggest party in the Reichstag to the Kaiser wanting to overthrow the SDP.

Social reforms in pre-war Germany

• As concerns of the increased level of socialism grew, Government officials reacted by introducing things like old-age pensions (1889), minimum wage (1891), restrictions on child labour (1891), arbitration courts (1901), and extensions of health insurance (1903).
• The Junkers and industrialists was supported as the Kaiser listened to the SPD and made limited adjustments to the issues.

Negative and Positive impacts in Germany

• On the one hand, the poor and unemployed still lived in poverty and the SPD was highly supportive.
• On the other hand, there was an improvement in working conditions, workers grew happier and were more loyal.

The Navy Laws

• Prior to the Navy Laws being released, Germany was not a powerful naval power, in comparison to Britain who was a main powerhouse for the sea.
• The Kaiser wanted to secure more presence overseas to rival Britain, leading to a surge for a larger navy.
• The Kaiser also knew that a increased desire for the Navy would introduce the Navy Laws for the country.

What were the Navy Laws?

• From 1898 - 1912 this set of policies were from the German Government and expanded the naval size, and the navy as a respectable power.

What were reasons for the navy laws?

• Key reasons why the Navy existed was for the Kaiser's personal aim, the Reichstag's support, and to rival Weltpolitik.
• Child, Kaiser Wilhelm had visited the British dockyards admirating the Navy and its importance in securing power for the country.

Admiral von Tirpitz and the Navy League

• The Navy League was set up in 1898 and expanded the navy with the intent to create more industry within Germany.
• The League pressured the Reichstag.

Weltpolitik

• A large navy was key to achieving Weltpolitik, with laws allowing Germany to colonize, protect existing colonies, and be recongised as a world power.
• As of 1914, Germany had one of the sea's largest navy, and increased German patriotism.

What were possible impacts of navy laws

• It got its personal aims for a large navy. It increased patriotism in Germany, The Reichstag supported the government actions.
• But it required money, the federal government found it hard to borrow money, and Germany went into debt.

The Navy Laws

• The Navy Laws expanded tensions with naval race between Britain and Germany, with creating Britain's 1906, further increasing existing depths within Germany.