The German Constitution

What parts made up the Reich Government?

• The Emperor (Kaiser)

• The Chancellor

• The Bundesrat (federal council)

• The Reichstag

• The Federal/national government

• The States

What type of state was Germany?

A federal state

What does federal state mean?

A government in which several states, while independent in domestic affairs, combine for general purposes.

How was Germany a federal state?

Its powers and functions divided between the central government and 25 state governments.

What was the Bundesrat?

A federal council that reviewed and discussed legislative proposals submitted by the government.

How was the bundesrat elected?

58 members nominated by state assemblies.

What powers did the bundesrat have?

• Consent was required in making new laws.

• Had the power to change the constitution (theoretically).

How did the bundesrat actually work?

In theory it had extensive powers, in practise it simply rubber stamped the Chancellor's policies.

What was the issue with the bundesrat?

• Vote of 14 against a proposal constituted a veto.

• Prussia had 17 seats (could veto anything).

• Bavaria had 6 seats, smaller states had 1 each.

What was the role of the states within the government?

• Regional government

• Responsibilities to the individual states, e.g. education and the police.

• Preserved their own constitutions, rulers, parliaments and administrative systems.

What are issues with states within the government?

• States controlled income tax so government struggled to raise money.

• Government lacked control over the states.

• Kings of Bavaria, Saxony and Wurttemberg retained their own armies.

What was the federal government?

A federal government is a system of governance in which power is shared between a central national government and smaller regional governments, such as states or provinces.

Who was the Kaiser?

• Emperor of Germany

• King of Prussia

What powers did the Kaiser have?

• Had the right to interpret the constitution.

• Commanded the army. Could make war and peace.

• Controlled foreign policy (treaties and alliances).

• Appointed and dismissed the chancellor.

• Could dissolve the reichstag.

• Supervised the execution of all federal laws.

What was the reichstag?

The national parliament.

How was the reichstag elected?

• Elected by all males over 25.

• Members were unpaid and elected every 5 years unless dissolved.

What was the role of the reichstag?

Could accept or reject legislation but only had limited powers to initiate new laws.

Who was the chancellor?

The chief minister of the reich.

What powers did the chancellor have?

• Could appoint and dismiss state secretaries.

• Chaired sessions of the Bundesrat.

• Could ignore resolutions passed by the Reichstag.

• Responsible to the Emperor - not the Reichstag.

What are some positives of the reich government?

• Reichstag was democratic.

• Modern system - all men over 25 having the vote.

What are some negatives of the reich government?

• The Chancellor did not have to answer to the reichstag and could ignore their resolutions.

• The army was responsible to the kaiser only.

• Each state had it’s own tradition’s and government, creating disunity.

• It was highly dominated by Prussia

In what way was the system autocratic?

• Power resided ultimately with the Emperor.

• Chancellor could ignore the Reichstag.

• Prussian dominance.

• Army was responsble to the Emperor.

• Possibly created major tensions, specifically between the monarchical and parliamentary claims to power.

• The Reichstag could only censor the Chancellor, not secure his dismissal. It could be dismissed at any time.

In what ways was the system democratic?

• Reichstag had considerable potentisl power.

• Every man over the age of 25 could vote for the Reichstag.

• Possibly created a delicate equilibrium with the key institutions keeping each other in check.

In what ways did Prussia dominate the new Reich?

• Bismarck had intended that it did.

• Possessed 60% of the population.

• 2/3 territory

• 235/397 deputies in the Reichstag were Prussian.

• Could block unwelcome constitutional amendments in the Reichstag.

• Prussian king was emperor, head of the civil service and army.

• Generally the chancellor was also Prussian.

• Prussian and imperial institutions were so intertwined they could hardly be distinguished.

• Prussian aristocracy enjoyed important roles.

• The Prussian state parliament (3 class system) was dominated by the aristocracy, rich, military and conservative civil service. This hindered Germanys’s parliamentary democracy.

In what ways did Prussia not dominate the new Reich?

• Could no longer be governed without consideration of the wider interests of Germany.

• Influence was undermined by the need to make concessions to the states.

• Non-Prussians soon held important roles within the Reich and Prussia.

• The new Reich held the loyalties of most Germans.

Why was Bismarck in a strong position at the start of this period?

• He had a reputation of a man who had brought about the German unification.

• He had a lot of influence over Wilhelm I.

• He was Prussian Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Chancellor.

How did Bismarck lead the government?

• He loathed and rival authority.

• Ensured that other ministers were little more than senior clarks who carried out his orders.

• There was nothing resembling a cabinet.

• Dominated the secretaries of state and ensured they did not talk to the kaiser without his permission.

What were the limitations to Bismarck’s power?

• Germany was a federal state

• The Reichstag

• His absences from Berlin and poor health reduced his control of day-to-day decision making.

What are the opinions of historians on Bismarck?

• Contemporary: viewed him with awe.

• Recent: see him as lucky opportunist and draw attention to his less desirable qualities: his vengefulness, intolerance of criticism and use of bullying to get his way. He was persistently thwarted in his efforts to shape the domestic developments of the Reich after 1871.

What was Bismarck’s opinion on the Reichstag?

• Wanted political power to remain in the traditional hands: the Emperor, army officers, ministers and his own.

• Regarded with disdain, seeing it as a collection of squabbling politicians who did not reflect popular opinion.

• He was ready to work with the Reichstag if it accepted his conditions or some compromise acceptable to him.

• Otherwise, he usually dissolved the Reichstag and called new elections. He would use anything (including international crisis) to swing the public opinion.

What were the issues with the Reichstag’s power

• The balance of power was tilted in favour of the monarchy.

• Germans remained respectful of authority - believing that the Emperor or Chancellor should rule.

• There was little belief that power should be with the majority party (including left-wing parties) and it didn’t expect to have control over the government.

• The most they hoped for was influence over government decisions.

What were the powers of the Reichstag?

• No bill could become a law until it passed the Reichstag.

• Only the Reichstag could provide the money needed by the government.

• Was an open forum of debate with parliamentary immunity. These debates were reported in the press and could embarrass the Chancellor and ministers of state.

• For many the Reichstag was the focus of national attention instead of the Kaiser.

• Universal male suffrage promoted the development of mass political parties with popular appeal. They were in no position to form governments but could not be ignored by Bismarck as he needed support for his own proposals.

• Bismarck looked into changing the constitution to reduce the power of the Reichstag several times, showing how much of an issue they were to him by thwarting his plans.

What was the role of the army?

• Essentially Prussian since it was the largest army that made up the German army. The other armies simply followed Prussia’s lead.

• Officers owed personal loyalty to the Emperor, not the state.

• Conscription meant that all men served 2-3 years in the army. This built upon the discipline, pride in military instructions and love of the fatherland that was already taught in schools.

• It was independent from the Reichstag and not bound to consult civilian authority before acting.

• Officers were conservatives and had little time for liberals and socialists. Many were just as concerned with internal enemies as external enemies. They were always ready to break up demonstrations or attempts at revolution.

What was public opinion of the army?

• It was taken for granted that the army’s needs always came first.

• Uniforms encouraged respect and obedience; Wilhelm and Bismarck always wore military uniform in public.

Give an overview of Kaiser Wilhelm I.

• Viewed his kingship of Prussia more important than being Emperor of Germany.

• Despite his powers, he often left the governing of Germany and Prussia to Bismarck.

• Conservative in most matters.

• Had reservations about some of Bismarck’s measures, e.g. the Kulturkampf, but he appreciated his ability.

• Very popular, despite several assassination attempts.