“The political system of the 2nd Reich was primarily an autocracy of the elites”
how far do you agree?
Outline of argument
Constitution was designed by Bismarck to provide stability and peace in Germany, but
ultimately it was used by the powerful in society to maintain the status quo, retaining
the elevated position of the elites.
Although there was moderate social and constitutional reform, they served only to keep
demands for reform quiet, transferring no real power away from the elites
Although
Paragraph 1 – aspects of a democratic state
Democratically elected Reichstag:
- All classes of men had the vote.
- Reichstag were able to hold the Kaiser to account in the Koller crisis of 1895
showed the Reichstag held some power.
- Reichstag were able to reject legislation and did so in 1906 with the rejection of
colonial policy
- The Reichstag were being increasingly assertive, as can be seen by their stance on
the 1906 budget, their criticism in the wake of the daily telegraph affair in 1908 and
their censure of Bethman in 1913. They were also increasingly dominated by the
anti-authoritarian SPD
- However this failed because they were essentially overruled by the elites or the
Kaiser on every occasion of assertiveness.
Social and constitutional reform was seen under Caprivi:
- Sunday work was prohibited
- Reduction in tariffs, which resulted in lower prices at the cost of less tax revenue for
the government and thus shows a transfer of power from the top down.
- Restrictions placed on child labour
- Caprivi introduced a more conciliatory and cooperative relationship with the
Reichstag, developing better relations with the centre party and the SPD shows
move towards democracy and away from autocracy, as more weight is given to
Reichstag
- However Caprivi’s attempts at reform angered the elite and Caprivi was forced to
resign
Power below:
- A new generation of British and American historians such as Geoff Eley and David
Blackbourn have recognised the importance of popular movements.
- They emphasise the role of trade union groups such as the General Commission of
Trade Unions, their influence and ability to stand up to government is displayed by
the fact that they rejected the revolutionary stance of the SPD and pushed for
political representation as a means by which workers could improving living
standards and working conditions. There was a boom in general trade union
memberships, to over 3 million by 1913.
- They also emphasise the role of pressure groups, such as the Agrarian League who
represented the interests of farmers, and nationalist pressure groups such as the
Navy League who campaigned for naval expansion and had a membership of around
1 million. There was also the German Colonial League and the Pan German league
who supported colonial expansion and sought a dominant role for Germany in
Europe.
how far do you agree?
Outline of argument
Constitution was designed by Bismarck to provide stability and peace in Germany, but
ultimately it was used by the powerful in society to maintain the status quo, retaining
the elevated position of the elites.
Although there was moderate social and constitutional reform, they served only to keep
demands for reform quiet, transferring no real power away from the elites
Although
Paragraph 1 – aspects of a democratic state
Democratically elected Reichstag:
- All classes of men had the vote.
- Reichstag were able to hold the Kaiser to account in the Koller crisis of 1895
showed the Reichstag held some power.
- Reichstag were able to reject legislation and did so in 1906 with the rejection of
colonial policy
- The Reichstag were being increasingly assertive, as can be seen by their stance on
the 1906 budget, their criticism in the wake of the daily telegraph affair in 1908 and
their censure of Bethman in 1913. They were also increasingly dominated by the
anti-authoritarian SPD
- However this failed because they were essentially overruled by the elites or the
Kaiser on every occasion of assertiveness.
Social and constitutional reform was seen under Caprivi:
- Sunday work was prohibited
- Reduction in tariffs, which resulted in lower prices at the cost of less tax revenue for
the government and thus shows a transfer of power from the top down.
- Restrictions placed on child labour
- Caprivi introduced a more conciliatory and cooperative relationship with the
Reichstag, developing better relations with the centre party and the SPD shows
move towards democracy and away from autocracy, as more weight is given to
Reichstag
- However Caprivi’s attempts at reform angered the elite and Caprivi was forced to
resign
Power below:
- A new generation of British and American historians such as Geoff Eley and David
Blackbourn have recognised the importance of popular movements.
- They emphasise the role of trade union groups such as the General Commission of
Trade Unions, their influence and ability to stand up to government is displayed by
the fact that they rejected the revolutionary stance of the SPD and pushed for
political representation as a means by which workers could improving living
standards and working conditions. There was a boom in general trade union
memberships, to over 3 million by 1913.
- They also emphasise the role of pressure groups, such as the Agrarian League who
represented the interests of farmers, and nationalist pressure groups such as the
Navy League who campaigned for naval expansion and had a membership of around
1 million. There was also the German Colonial League and the Pan German league
who supported colonial expansion and sought a dominant role for Germany in
Europe.
