Nationalism Triumphs in Europe

(1800-1914) Strengthening Germany

WEX II Chapter 22, Section 2

Strengthening Germany

At the end of this section, I will be able to answer the following questions:

 What forces spurred the growth of the German economy?

 What domestic policies did Bismarck pursue?

 What were the goals of William II?

Strengthening Germany

#1. What forces spurred the growth of the German economy?

Please answer Before the Presentation!

     ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________

Strengthening Germany

#2. What domestic policies did Bismarck pursue?

Please answer Before the Presentation!

     ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________

Strengthening Germany

#3. What were the goals of William II?

Please answer Before the Presentation!

      ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________

Strengthening Germany

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What advantages did Germany have to spur it’s economic progress in the late 1800s?

Huge natural resources of coal & iron Disciplined & educated work force  Rapid population growth provided both a market for products & a work force  Earlier progress gave Germany an edge

Strengthening Germany

What other advantages did Germany possess?

 They supported research & development in universities & hired scientists  Promoted economic development: – Single currency – Reorganized the banking system – Coordinates railroad systems – Raised tariffs during a world wide depression

Strengthening Germany

What actions did the Iron Chancellor take?

 Pursued several foreign policy goals: – Keep France weak & isolated – Build strong links with Austria & Russia – Decided that Germany wouldn’t compete with Britain for naval power –

“Water rats do not fight with land rats”

–

Bismarck

Strengthening Germany

What domestic policies did Bismarck pursue?

 The Iron Chancellor crushed all loyalties & opposition to the imperial state  He focused his attacks to – The Catholic Church – Communists

Strengthening Germany

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Why didn’t Bismarck like the Catholic Church?

Bismarck was a Lutheran Catholics made up 1/3 of the population  Bismarck believed that Catholic loyalty, especially with the clergy, was to the pope He believed that everyone’s first loyalty should be to Germany

Strengthening Germany

What was the “ Kulturkamph ” or Bismarck’s Battle for civilization?

 Bismarck wanted to make Catholics put loyalty to the state above allegiance for the Church  He passed laws giving the state the right to supervise Catholic education & approve the appointment of priests – Couples had to be married by civil authority – Expelled the Jesuits from Prussia

Strengthening Germany

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Was Kulturkampf successful?



NO!

Bismarck’s plan backfired!

The faithful rallied behind the Church



The Catholic Center party gained strength in the Reichstag

Strengthening Germany

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How did Bismarck respond?

 He was a realist He accepted the situation Made peace with the Church

Strengthening Germany

Did Bismarck like the Communist Party?

NO!

 Bismarck saw the socialism as a threat to the new Germany

Strengthening Germany

What did the Communists do?

 The German Marxists organized the Social Democratic party which called for parliamentary democracy and laws to improve working conditions for the working class.

 Bismarck feared that the socialists would undermine the loyalty of the German people & turn them towards revolution

Strengthening Germany

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How did Bismarck respond to this socialist threat?

 Bismarck decided to woo workers away from socialism  Provided health & accident insurance Old age insurance with retirement plans He became a leader in social reform

Strengthening Germany

Did Bismarck’s social plan work?

Partially

   Workers benefited from his programs However, they didn’t abandon socialism Social Democratic party continued to grow – 1912 – most seats in the Reichstag  However, Bismarck showed that workers conditions could improve without revolting

Strengthening Germany

What changes did William II make?

 Kaiser William II succeeded his grandfather as Kaiser  He wanted to put his own stamp on Germany – He believed that he was assigned leadership of Germany from God  He shocked the world by asking Bismarck to resign

Strengthening Germany

Why would William II want Bismarck to resign?

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“There is only one master in the Reich, and that is I.”

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Kaiser William II

Strengthening Germany

How did Kaiser William II rule?

 Resisted any democratic reforms  Supported an excellent school system –

Taught obedience & the “3 R’s”

 Provided many social services –

Welfare benefits to cheap transportation



Continued to build up the military and expand the Germany navy

Strengthening Germany

Strengthening Germany

#1. What forces spurred the growth of the German economy?

Please answer After the Presentation!

     ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________

Strengthening Germany

#2. What domestic policies did Bismarck pursue?

Please answer After the Presentation!

     ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________

Strengthening Germany

#3. What were the goals of William II?

Please answer After the Presentation!

      ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________

 Strengthening Germany http://www.slideshare.net/fullscreen/MrAguia r/222-germany-strenghtens/2