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Germany 1/3, Government and opposition 1888-1914 - Coggle Diagram
Germany 1/3
Daily telegraph interview and the Zabern affair
October 1908 Wilhelm gave an interview to the British daily telegraph
In this interview he suggested the Germans were anti-British and he was not supporting this view
Bulow-his chancellor at the time-was given an opportunity to supress the publication but failed to do so
The report worsened Germany's relation with Britain and German press turned against Wilhelm
Reichstag demanded Wilhelm become more controlled and all the blame shifted from Wilhelm onto Bulow who shortly resigned
This left a 'political vacuum' at the top of government and politics in German become even more chaotic
December 1913 Kaiser made a blunder when he declared his support for excessive military action in the Zabern affair
A German political crisis sparked by unrest in the Alsatian garrison town of Saverne (Zabern). It was caused when, more than four decades after Alsace's occupation by the Germans, a German army officer openly insulted the local population
Showed how Wilhelm had no respect
Policies an government under Wilhelm II's Chancellors
Wilhelm sought a chancellor who would adopt a moderate approach to socialism
Favoured military figures
Personally picked General Leo Caprivi
Wilhelm II wanted ultimate power
However was very much influenced by his 'favourite' men-Eulenburg and Holstein
Set out a 'new course' for politics
Got rid of anti-socialist law, social reforms
Caprivis new policies welcomed by working class, socialists and liberals however opposed by conservative Prussian landowners
Caprivi struggled to work with Wilhelm II and resigned in 1994
Next chancellor was Prince Chlodwig zu Hohenlhe-schillingsfurst
Wilhelm consistently ignored Hohenlohe instead become more interested in Weltpolitik(expansionist foreign policy and the development of the navy)
Disagreement over colonial policy forced Hohenlohe to resign
Hohenlohe tried to do as the Kaiser asked and tried to pass particular bills however Reichstag didn't approve
Selected as he posed no threat to Wilhelm's leadership
75 years old
Bavarian aristocrat
Next was Count Bernhard von bulow 1900-1909
Admired the Kaiser and nicknamed 'the eel'
First chancellor Wilhelm trusted
Groomed for office by Wilhelm's inner circle
By 1905 relations between Wilhelm and Bulow not very good-Bulow failed to control the Reichstag
National debt doubled between 1900-1908
Scandals including his homosexuality and his inability to prevent the damaging interview Wilhelm gave to the British daily telegraph Bulow resigned
Final chancellor was Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg 1909-1917
In 1912 elections Bethmann-Hollweg failed to pus the 'patriotism' theme and the SPD was gaining support
Vote of no-confidence against Bethmann-Hollweg in 1913
New relationship between Wilhelm and Bethann-hollweg less harmonious than with Bulow, Wilhelm pleased to have a chancellor who was happy to allow him to take control over military and foreign affairs
Wilhelm kept Bethmann-Hollweg in office and stopped trying to work with the Reichstag instead issued decrees without consultation or approval
Kaiser Wilhelm II
Full of energy and ambition
Kaiser Wilhelm died 1888
Wilhelm II's dad become king
He died of throat cancer
Wilhelm II grandson of Wilhelm II, become Kaiser
27 when he come chancellor
Inwardly he was nervous, moody and unpredictable
Adored all things military related
Sadistic sense of humour
Nicknamed the travelling emperor as he was often travelling overseas
Role of the Reichstag and autocracy v democracy
Between 1897-1908 he acted as a higher power and was at his peak 'personal rule'
During these years he dictated policy and controlled all appointments, all legislation and all diplomatic moves
Wilhelm II maintained a personal involvement in the government and liked to exert his power
Although Wilhelm needed the Reichstag he behaviour often provoked the Reichstag
A Reichstag majority was necessary in order to approve or reject a law
Government and opposition 1888-1914