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Ch. 25 Sec. 3

Ch. 25 Sec. 3. Opposition to Bismarck. Problems for the Empire. The constitution didn’t give Bismarck the absolute monarchy he wanted & the people were upset bcuz they had no voice under the new gov’t

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Ch. 25 Sec. 3

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  1. Ch. 25 Sec. 3 Opposition to Bismarck

  2. Problems for the Empire • The constitution didn’t give Bismarck the absolute monarchy he wanted & the people were upset bcuz they had no voice under the new gov’t • The growing power of political groups in other parts of the empire increased tension between Prussia & the other German states • Bismarck began the anti-Catholic program of Kulturkampf “culture struggle” Germany passed strict laws to control Catholic clergy & schools

  3. This required all Catholic clergy to be German educated in German schools • Relations w/ the Vatican were broken & church property was confiscated • Bcuz the Centre Party grew in opposition, Bismarck reestablished relations w/ the pope & the Kulturkampf ended in failure in 1887

  4. Industrial Development under Bismarck • Bismarck turned Germany into an industrial power w/ great coal & iron deposits; railroads & a system of canals gave cheap transportation • Industry came later in Germany, which let Germany use the best methods & machinery • Money & banking laws were standardized, postal service was centralized, gov’t encouraged cartels – groups of companies that combine together for greater power in the marketplace- to control prices

  5. Socialism in Germany • Growth of German industry  cities grew  class of factory workers began • 1869 German socialists formed the Social Democratic Party made up of urban workers & had 12 members voted into Reichstag • Still the Bundesrat held all the power, so the Reichstag was nothing more than a place for workers to express their greivances

  6. Bismarck’s Antisocialist Campaign • 1877 the SDP won more than 490,000 votes, Bismarck decided to fight them; he got the opportunity when there were 2 assassination attempts on the emperor (no proof, but he blamed the Social Democrats) • The emperor & the Bundesrat dissolved the Reichstag & called for new elections • Bismarck pushed through laws that prohibited newspapers, books, or pamphlets, socialists’ public meetings • The socialists still increased their support w/ each election

  7. Bismarck changed tactics; granted many Socialist reforms to reduce the workers’ grievances (hoping that fewer people would support the socialists) • 1833 Bismarck gave workers ins. Against sickness, then against accidents, limited working hours, provided for certain holidays & guaranteed pensions for disabled & retired workers

  8. The Resignation of Bismarck • William I died in 1888 & Prince Frederick III took over until he died after a few months • William II became emperor in 1888; extremely conservative, believed in absolute authority of the emperor  conflict w/ Bismarck • 1890 the socialists made huge gains in the elections so Bismarck wanted a new constitution  William II said no  Bismarck resigned

  9. During William II’s reign he made Germany a leading industrial & military power (increased size & strength of army & expanded navy) • He signed new agreements w/ neighboring nations & by 1900 made Germany stronger than ever before

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