key terms 12.3

Otto von Bismarck

Bismarck was born in 1815 and died in 1898, he came from prussia’s junker class. Bismarck first served Prussia as a diplomat in Russia and France, and then as prime minister to king William I. in 1871 he became chancellor of the German empire, a position he held for 19 years.

chancellor

the highest official of a monarch, prime minister. Otto van Bismarck served as chancellor for 19 years and had to keep a good relationship with the kaiser because he could appoint and dismiss the chancellor.

realpolitik

realistic politics based on the needs of the state, in the case of realpolitik, power was more important than principles.

annexed

add a territory to an exiting state or country, after the Austro-prussian war ended Prussia was able to take control of several Northern German states.

kaiser

emperor of Germany, a kaiser was able to inherit the position based on the holy roman empire, had the power to summon and dismiss parliament at will, and could appoint and dismiss the chancellor.

reich

German empire

kulturkampf

bismarck launched the kulturkampf or battle for civilization which lasted from 1871 to 1878. his goal was to make Catholics put loyalty to the state above allegiance to the church.

William II

William II was born in 1859 and died in 1941, he was the last German emperor and king of Prussia. he ruled the German empire and the kingdom of Prussia from 1888 to 1918. he led Germany into world war 1. an ineffective military leader, he lost the support of his army and fled to exile in the Netherland in November 1918.

social welfare

programs provided by the state for the benefit of its citizens