HIST2086 Bismarck: The Iron Chancellor The German Empire: Structures and Challenges Lecture 14 2 November 2010

Birth Founding of German Empire at Versailles, France ( 18 Jan 1871): Bismarck’s use of German patriotism to put strong pressure on 4 South German states (Bavaria, Baden, Württemberg, Hesse) to join ‘Reich’ Final agreement on ‘Reich’ as federal state King William I initially reluctant to become German Emperor (Kaiser) + preferred ‘Emperor of Germany’ = unacceptable for King of Bavaria

Imperial Constitution (1) Fundamental purpose: To ensure dominance of conservative Prussian monarchy over its own citizens To ensure Prussian dominance over the other German States

Imperial Constitution (2) Federal State (Bundesstaat): Powers + functions divided between: → Central or Federal government (Reichsleitung): few substantial internal rights → 25 Federal states (Bundesstaaten) governments: substantial internal rights retained

Imperial Constitution (3) German Kaiser = Prussian King: Head of imperial executive + civil service, commander-in-chief, power of declaring war + making peace, appointed/dismissed Federal Chancellor Federal Council (Bundesrat): Representation of Empire’s Federal States (Bundesstaaten) Parliament (Reichstag): Elected by universal manhood suffrage (democratic element) Federal Chancellor (Bundeskanzler): Only Minister + representative of Kaiser in Bundesrat

Imperial Constitution (4) Strong divergence between theory + practice: Various disparate elements + conflicting authorities Self-creation of Bismarck to keep control over different competing power groups Huge problems of control for weak-unable chancellor + in times of crisis = Polycracy → Bureaucratic chaos

Europe + Germany (1) No European guarantee of German Empire’s existence + integrity + security → Reason: Its creation by wars against isolated enemies without international acceptance No European certainty about future foreign policy of German Empire → Reason: Its creation based on destruction of German Confederation + on division of German nation

Europe + Germany (2) Traditional European power structure totally changed → Reason: Before 1871: Major factor of European stability = Divided + powerless centre of Europe After 1871: Major factor of European concern + fear = United German power potential under Prussian leadership

Europe + Germany (3) Germany’s threat: population, economic + military potential Germany’s strength: Stronger than any of other 4 big powers (F, R, A, GB) = Potential danger of German hegemony over Europe

GermanyFranceBritain Population (m.) Coal (m. tons) Steel (m. tons) Iron ore (m. tons) World trade (m. marks) 4,2404,5409,180 Comparison of 3 European economies in 1870

Europe + Germany (4) But: Germany’s weakness: Not strong enough against alliance of big powers → ‘half hegemony’ Germany’s fear: Encirclement by alliance of big powers → ‘Sword of Damocles’ = Latent German tendency to expand, to enforce full hegemony, to defend herself by making war = Constant European feeling of threat + mistrust towards Germany

Dominating factors of German Foreign Policy Centre position of Germany → Cauchemar des coalitions (Nightmare of coalitions) France’s permanent hostility + revenge feeling → Nightmare of Alsace-Lorraine Structural dependency on Austria + Russia → Nightmare of involvement in national conflicts + external rivalries