Ch.13 Sec3 The National State & Democracy Main Idea The gov’ts of western Europe were challenged by the development of new political parties

I. Western Europe and Political Democracy Great Britain Had two political parties Liberals Conservatives Both groups competed with each other in passing laws that expanded the right to vote. By 1918 all males (21 & over) and women (30 & over) could vote

Social reforms took place for the working class who supported the Liberals The growth of trade unions and the emergence of the new Labour Party made the Liberals fear they would lose the support of the working class. For the Liberal Party to retain support what did they do to help the workers? pass reforms like benefits for workers in case of sickness, unemployment, or injury on the job.

France The collapse of Louis-Napoleon’s 2nd empire left the country in confusion. In 1875 a new constitution created a French republic (Third Republic) This new Republic had President (power not well defined) two house system France failed to develop a strong parliamentary system because it had a dozen political parties

Italy Italy emerged as a nation by 1870, but it had little unity because of a great gulf that separated the poor. The unity of the nation was torn by turmoil between labor and industry. Universal male suffrage was granted in 1912, but lots of corruption and weakness took place.

II. Central and Eastern Europe: The Old Order Germany Otto von Bismarck started the constitution of Germany’s gov’t in 1871. It had a two-house legislature. Reichstag – elected by universal male suffrage Emperor – controlled armed forces, foreign policy

Bismarck worked against democracy. By the time of William II (1888-1918) cities grew and cries for democracy increased. Conservatives (landowning nobility and big industrialist) did not like the democracy ideas.

Austria Austria had a constitution but the Emperor Francis Joseph ignored it. He appointed who he wanted.

The old South was destroyed by United States The old South was destroyed by American Civil War 4 million African American slaves were freed. 13th, 14th, 15th amendments granted A.A. rights, but states laws took these rights away. Bet. 1860-1914 the U.S. shifted from an agricultural society to an industrial socieity.

Industrialization led to urbanization (40% lived in cities) By 1900, U.S. was worlds richest nation. 9% of pop. Owned 71% of the wealth. Workers organized unions!

By the end of the 1800’s, the U.S. began to expand abroad Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines Canada Unity was hard to achieve because of distrust bet. English and French speaking peoples.

III. Crises in the Balkans Balkan provinces of the Ottoman Empire had gradually gained independence over the 1800’s. Bosnia was annexed by Austria-Hungary in 1908. Serbs opposed annexation because they wanted to Bosnia