Political authority 1871

the extent and make up of the german empire, the 1871 constitution, role of chancerlor and emporer and the partys and thier ideologys

when was German unification

1871 Jan the second German empire, Kaiser wilhem I

what was the make up of 1871 germany

26 seperate states

what was the system of 1871 germany

Federal system - allowed states to maintain sovriegnty over internal affairs and retaian a significant amount of power 

22 states retained thier own monarchys 

give an example of a state that maintained its autonomy 

Bavaria 

• was allowed to keep its monarchy and army in peace time

what was the type of system the people of Germany wanted under unification

‘democratic constitution’

• this limits the emperors total control and guards the peoples freedom

• many liberal Germans wanted this system 

what system did bismark create

An authotarian system, enforcing strict obedience and authority at the exprense of personal freedom

why did prussia dominate the federal system

• 60% of the land and population allowing them to dominate Bundersrat votes 

• autoutarian state, heavly dominated by junkers 

• Kaiser willhem was previously king of prussia and Bismark was Minister presedent of prussia 

• Prussia held back traditions and millitarisim 

what was the kaisers role in the new constitution

• Heretiary monarch

• could appoint and dismiss chancerlors

• dissolve the rieghstag

• Had final say to give assent to laws 

• Articale 17 

• Preogative powers = Right to declare war/peace and martial law in emergancys

what was the chancerlor and ministers role in the new constitution

• to divise policy with the kaiser

• give assent to laws

• the chancerlor was not forced to listen to the riegstag

what was the Reighstag in the new constitution

• Members were lected by males 25+ 

• elections every 3 years 

• could be disolved at any moment 

• they could question and debate proposed laws but not propose of reject them 

• they could not dismiss the chancerlor in a vote of confidence 

what was the bundesrat in the new constitution

• 58 represtentitives in proportion to the size of each state 

• they could initiate legislation and aprove new laws

• a majority of 14 was needed to veto legislation

what checks were there to ensure the kaiser didnt become a dictator 

• Chancerlor had to counter sign imperial decrees 

• Bunderstrat must approve declarations of war/marital law

Who was Otto von bismark

• Chancerlor of germany 1871-1888

• A prussian junker

• parinoid that he constantly had ‘enemys’ comming for him, ignored the cabinet system

• aristocratic and conservitive

• very manipulative of the kaiser using tantrums and threatening to resign

what were the checks and balances on Bismark

• Anwserable to the kaiser 

• Lander goverment could only control tax 

• He needed majoritys to pass laws in the rieghstag (army budget)

what was the role of the national liberals in 1871

Formed in 1967

• Represented the protostant middle class 

• favoured free trade and constitutional liberal state 

what was the role of Zentrum 1871

Founded 1870

• represented german catholics

• strong in southern states : Bovona and Rhineland 

• wanted to retaun position of catholic church in education

what was the role of the SDP

Founded 1975

• Represented working class and trade unions 

• supported removal of power in elites and extention of welfare reforms 

German conservitive party

Founded in 1876

• represented protostant and aristocratic junkers `

• most right wing party 

• opposed the righstag when it was elected 

free conservitives

formed 1871

• represented land owners and buisness men 

• supported bismark