The Age of Bismarck (1871—1890)

1. The Age of Bismarck (1871—1890)

2. German Empire • Bismarck dominated European diplomacy • Established an integrated political and economic structure for the new German state • Society based on industrialism, militarism, and innovative social legislation • Remarkable increases in productivity and industrialization occurred between 1871 and 1891

3. Domestic Reform • Established a strong, united German state prepared to defend against France • Developed universal German civil and criminal codes • Established imperial bank • Required compulsory military service • Used protective tariffs to protect German production • Response to socialism: Provided social security, regulated child labor, and improved working conditions for Germans

4. Bismarck Attacks (P3-5) Attack on Catholics Attack on Socialists

5. Bismarck as Chancellor • Bismarck’s Kulturkampf placed repression on groups within Germany that Bismarck found subversive • Bismarck thought Catholics allegiance was to the Church and not the state • Eventually made peace with the Catholics • Socialism was gaining support • Bismarck had laws passed forbidding socialist meetings, BUT socialism gained more support • Bismarck began to pass reforms to please socialist like workmen’s compensation, old-age pensions, and medical protection

6. Bismarck’s Fall • Wilhelm II assumed the throne in 1888 • Believed in divine right • Resented Bismarck’s power • 1890 Bismarck dismissed • Legacy of Bismarck: • Masterful diplomat: created strong alliances with Austria-Hungary and Italy • Germany became strongest, industrial country in Europe • Failed to reestablish relations with Russia after the Congress of Berlin • Wilhelm II will pursue an aggressive foreign policy that will upset the balance of power into the start of WWI

7. Social Democrats and Revisionism in Germany • Bismarck represses German Social Democratic Party (SPD) • anti-socialist laws passed by Reichstag actually strengthen the numbers of the (SPD) • passes programs such as accident insurance, disability and old age pensions as a conservative alternative to socialist policies • The Erfurt Program – supported Marxist ideas of the collapse of capitalism, but wanted to pursue goals through legislative action, not revolution • Revisionism – German socialists ideas of achieving humane social equality without having a revolution founded by Eduard Bernstein • critics of Revisionism felt that evolution towards socialism would not work in militaristic, authoritative Germany

8. The Impact of Socialism on the 19th Century • Due to industrialization across Europe, the demands of workers became major political/economic issues that spawned revolts in Britain, France, Germany, and Russia • By the end of the 19th century, labor unions which were once illegal were accepted across Europe • 1864—the First International Working Men’s Association met in London under the leadership of Karl Marx • Preached destruction of the capitalists gov’ts of Europe • In 1871 when the Paris Commune (socialist) took over Paris, Marx thought the long-awaited class war was beginning, BUT it was crushed by the new republic • The First International soon faded away.

9. Socialism in Europe • Second International formed in 1889 • Socialist Parties in Europe • BritainFabian Society • RussiaSocial Democratic Party • French opportunism • GermanySocial Democratic Party • Reforms based on demands of workers • Old-age compensation • Safety and sanitation regulations • Work hours regulation • Medical insurance for workers • Universal male suffrage across most of Europe