Bismarck and socialism

What was the SPD?

• The Social Democratic Party

• Aimed to overthrow the existing order.

• Declared they would use legal means in the struggle for economic and political freedom.

• Called for the nationalisation of banks, coal mines and industry.

• Called for social equality.

What is nationalisation?

Government ownership

How did Bismarck feel threatened by the socialists?

• He overestimated them - they weren’t as strong or revolutionary as he feared.

• Socialism was a threat to the kind of society he wanted - they preached warfare and the dictatorship of the proletariat.

• Socialist support increased with the rise of the proletariat which came with industrialisation.

• 1877 the SPD got 500,000 votes which got them 12 seats.

What were Bismarck’s early attempts at oppressing the socialists?

He was defeated in getting many measures through the Reichstag, such as a bill to prevent socialist propaganda in 1876.

What allowed Bismarck to start his actions against socialism?

• Two assassinations attempts on the Kaiser in May 1878.

• An anarchist made an attempt on his life with no link to the SPD. Bismarck, however, made no distinction between anarchism and socialism, seeing the attempt as a socialist conspiracy.

• His attempts to pass a bill against socialism were stopped by the National Liberals who were concerned with civil liberties.

• A second attempts was made a week later with no link to the SPD.

• Bismarck criticised the National Liberals for not protecting the Emperor and dissolved the Reichstag.

• The SPD lost 181,000 votes.

• The National Liberals lost 130,000 votes.

What actions did Bismarck take against Socialism?

• An anti-socialist bill in October 1878.

  • Banned socialist organisations (e.g. trade unions).

  • Socialist meetings were to be broken up.

  • Outlawed socialist publications.

What was the result of the bill?

• 1,500 socialists were imprisoned and many emigrated.

• Rallied and fortified socialist beliefs.

• The law didn’t prevent the SPD from standing for election and speaking in the Reichstag.

• By 1890 it had over a million votes.

What was state socialism?

• Bismarck’s attempt to wean the working classes from socialism by introducing welfare measures.

• May have been due to his Christian moral obligation to aid those in need.

What were some of Bismarck’s welfare measures?

• The Sickness Insurance Act - sick pay.

• The Accident Insurance Act - protection for a disabled or long-term sick worker.

• The Old Age and Disability Act - pensions.

How successful was state socialism?

• Many workers saw the measures as a ‘sham’, especially since the government still opposed trade unions.

• The legislation wasn’t very generous and didn’t grant unemployment insurance.

• Workers continued in poor working conditions, assuring the SPD’s future.

• Bismarck didn’t interfere with regulating working hours or child labour, feeling that was up to the employers.

What were the political developments in the 1880s?

• 1881: Bismarck suffered a set bucket the polls. The liberal parties gained seats from the conservatives and Bismarck couldn’t rely on Reichstag support.

• 1884: these seats were won back.

• 1887: Bismarck was at odds with the Reichstag over the renewal of the Septennates. Bismarck had asked for substantial military increases which were agreed on the condition that in the future the military expenditure was reviewed every 3 years. Bismarck dissolved the Reichstag and conjured up an image of a revenge-seeking France who was ready for war. He claimed Germany was in danger until the Septennates were passed and only the Conservatives and National Liberals would pass them. They won by an absolute majority and the Septennates were passed.