Kaiser Wilhelm

When did the kaiser become kaiser?

1888

How old was the kaiser when he rose to power?

29

What was the New German Empire?

The unification of Germany as a single country

Who was the kaiser in 1890?

Kaiser Wilhelm II

Which country was the most powerful at the time and why?

Britain as it had the largest empire and dominated world trade

What did Wilhelm want to achieve?

Making Germany the most powerful country in the world

What industries did Germany develop between 1890 and 1913?

Germany was producing as much iron and steel as Britain by 1913, and more in the electrical goods and chemical industries - it dominated European trade in these areas

What was weltpolitik?

World policy - Wilhelm wanted Germany to be recognised and competing with the other world powers

What was the structure of Germany’s government at the time?

It was made up of the Kaiser, the Chancellor, the Bundesrat and the Bundestag

What was the role of the Kaiser?

Head of the armed forces, controlled foreign policy and appointed the Chancellor

What was the role of the Chancellor?

In charge of the government and had authority over the Bundesrat

What was the role of the Bundesrat?

A federal council made up of 58 representatives from the 25 previously un unified states, who introduced laws to the Bundestag and had the power to approve them

What was the role of the Bundestag?

A Federal Parliament made up of 397 deputies who voted on laws introduced by the Bundesrat

What were the weaknesses of this system?

No policy could be implemented without the Kaiser’s approval

Why couldn’t any policy could be implemented without the Kaiser’s approval?

He was the most powerful person in Germany, including having the power to dismiss the Chancellor

How did being able to fire the Chancellor affect his behaviour?

The Chancellor had to behave as the Kaiser wanted

How did Prussian nationalism change Germany?

It was the most influential force in Germany

Who led the unification of Germany and why?

Prussia because it was the largest, richest and most powerful state (of the 25)

Why did Prussian influence stay strong in Germany?

It was the most powerful state, the army was led by Prussian officers, and Germany’s legal system was dominated by powerful Prussian noble landowners

Who did the interests of the Prussians reflect other than themselves?

Relatively few people - not Catholics, Jews or urban workers