HIST2086 Bismarck: The Iron Chancellor Bismarck’s domestic policy, Lecture 15 4 November 2010

Bismarck as Conservative Struggled vs. forces trying to change political system + questioning his powers as Chancellor Divided German nation into ‘enemies of the empire’ (Reichsfeinde) + ‘loyalists of the empire (Reichstreue) = His ‘nightmare of revolutions’ Tried to keep political parties powerless Banned critical thinkers + discouraged constructive political cooperation

Bismarck and Reichstag Bismarck’s constant need as Imperial chancellor to find new Reichstag majorities to support his policies + to avoid blockade of government: Provoked crisis + fear of revolution by “Reichsfeinde” Called parties to fight ‘subversives’ (“Reichsfeinde”) Dissolved Reichstag in self-created crises Launched press campaigns vs. opponents Used elections as plebiscite for monarchical rule Threatened with coup d’etat in order to change Imperial constitution to gain more authoritarian power

Negative Integration Manipulative strategy of Bismarck? = To cooperate with Liberals ? Reflex of Bismarck’s fears and mistrusts? = To weaken Catholics Austria-orientation ? = To fight rivalling C. Church + Centre Party ? Target groups: 1)Catholics + Centre Party → Kulturkampf 2)Poles / Danes / Alsatians → Language discrimination 3)Socialists + SPD (Social Democratic Party of Germany) → ‘Anti-Socialist Law’, 1878

Catholic System (1) Pre-1789: Strong position in Catholic states (Fr, Sp, It, Au, W Ger) Post-1789: Anti-clerical feelings + anti-church laws + destruction of infrastructure = strongly weakened position Post-1815: Competition with other religions & ideologies (esp. Protestantism & liberalism) Post-1870: European Kulturkampf (cultural struggle) Around 1900: Deep crisis & pessimism due to fundamental changes in societies

Catholic System (2) Opposed to Protestantism, liberalism, socialism, radicalism Defended Catholic educational system against critics Fought Kulturkampf (cultural struggle) between ‘good’ & ‘bad’ (secular, liberal, reformist, modern principals) in Fr, Au, Sp, It, Ger, NL, GB

Kulturkampf, (1) ‘Cultural struggle’ = Conflict Church vs. State: 2/3 Protestants, 1/3 Catholics (Poles, French, Rhinelanders, southern Germans): → Ultramontanism ? Syllabus of Errors by Pius IX, 1864: Strongly anti- liberal Doctrine of papal infallibility, 1870: Fear of liberals of Catholic interference in society

Kulturkampf, (2) Centre Party, 1870: 2nd largest party in Reichstag election 1871 Unique in drawing support from all social strata Favoured greater self-rule for federal states Objected state interference in education = Church’s traditional influence sphere

Kulturkampf, (3) Bismarck’s politics: Saw Centre Party as danger for unity of Empire Intensified campaign vs. Catholic Church to subordinate Church to state Put himself at head of popular Protestant movement supported by National Liberals + Conservatives

Kulturkampf, (4) 1872: Catholic schools under direct state supervision 1872: Ban of Jesuit order + expel of Jesuit teachers 1873: May Laws to bring C. Church under state control 1874: Introduction of civil marriage 1875: Laws to empower state to suspend subsidies to non-complying C. clergy

Kulturkampf, (5) Strong opposition in Catholic areas Strengthening of Centre Party in Reichstag elections: 1871 (58) → 1878 (94) Protestant opposition to some legislation on education = Bismarck’s acceptance of failure = Death of Pius IX 1878 → Improved relations Church-State = Many May Laws remained in force: Civil marriage, ban on Jesuits, state supervision of Church appointments

Negative Integration: Results Created common identity in victimized groups Alienated certain social groups from State Enhanced negative feelings in society = Few positive short-term effects = Major negative long-term effects