Section 71: Bismarck and the German Empire: Consolidation, Conflicts, and Legacy (1871-1890)

Formation of the German Empire (1871): Established after military victories, unifying $25$ autonomous German states under William I, King of Prussia, as Kaiser. Prussia dominated as the largest and most powerful state.
Constitutional Structure: Unlike England's parliamentary power or France's democratic pursuit, the German Empire's constitution limited the power of its parliament (Reichstag), with the upper chamber (Bundesrat) holding greater influence.
Bismarck's Governance (1871-1890): Chancellor Otto von Bismarck utilized national unity, introduced universal male suffrage for the Reichstag, but firmly rejected parliamentary government, asserting the Emperor and Chancellor's ultimate authority.
Opposition and Conflicts:
- Prussian Conservatives: Initially opposed Bismarck's democratic concessions like universal male suffrage and the abolition of manorial jurisdiction.
- Kulturkampf (1871): Bismarck initiated a "culture struggle" to subordinate the Catholic Church to state authority, prompted by papal infallibility ( $1870$ ) and the rise of the Catholic Center Party. Supported by Liberals, it involved restrictive laws and expulsions. However, it proved counterproductive, strengthening the Center Party, and Bismarck eventually abandoned it by the late $1870$ s.
- Rise of Socialism: Germany's industrial growth led to a significant working class and the formation of the German Social Democratic Party (SPD) in $1875$ . Bismarck viewed socialism as a revolutionary threat.
Anti-Socialist Campaign and Social Legislation:
- Repression (1878-1890): Bismarck implemented Antisocialist Laws, prohibiting socialist meetings and publications, driving political activity underground.
- Paternalistic Strategy: Simultaneously, he introduced pioneering social legislation in the $1880$ s, including state-mandated insurance for sickness ( $1883$ ), accidents ( $1884$ ), and old age ( $1889$ ) to undercut socialist appeal. Imperial Germany was advanced in social welfare compared to other nations.
End of Chancellorship (1890): Despite his efforts, Bismarck failed to suppress the socialist movement; SPD representation in the Reichstag grew. At $75$ years old, he was dismissed by the ambitious new Emperor, William II, who desired personal rule.