Summary
Summary Imperial Germany
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Details on imperial Germany workings of the governments system and role and interference of the monarchy
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Imperial Germany in 1914By the early twentieth century Germany had emerged from the era of
nationalism to become a new and powerful country. After centuries of
division the largest state of Prussia had forged the unification of Germany
through a series of successful wars, which resulted in the formation in
1871 of the German Empire. Yet, 74 years later, amidst the ruins of its
cities, Hitler’s Germany surrendered to the allies in 1945.
The political system:
What is a constitution?
The principles and rules which govern a state.
What were the key features of the new German constitution?
The king of Prussia was proclaimed the kaiser of Germany,
embracing 25 other different states which he held great authority as
a right.
The position of chancellor was independent of the Reichstag as he
and his ministers were solely responsible to the kaiser.
It offered an element of democracy with the right to vote for all men
over the age of 25. Yet it was very limited as the Reichstag lacked
real power.
The German army was accountable only to the kaiser and swore
allegiance to him and not the government.
It deliberately excluded the large German speaking area of Austria.
Why did the Biskmarckian era end?
Kaiser Wilhelm II wanted to portray himself as an autocrat controlling the
political scene and set on pursuing more aggressive militaristic policies.
So, from 1900 Germany was showing signs of growing political divisions.
Definitions
Prussia: The dominate state of imperial Germany. It had risen to power in
the eighteenth and
nineteenth centuries and following unification it compromised 62% of the
population.
Chancellor: Prime Minister of the German government.
Reichstag: The German parliament. Although it was created in 1871 it had
limited powers until the October reform of 1819.
Autocracy: A person where one person (usually a hereditary sovereign)
has absolute rule.
Key figures
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