starter activity Study the map on p.4 and list the changes you notice between Source 1B (Germany before 1871) and Source 1A (Germany, )
Changes German is a unified country – principalities like Prussia & Bavaria are united into single German country German is a unified country – principalities like Prussia & Bavaria are united into single German country Growth of German army Growth of German army Seizure of additional territory – Alsace-Lorraine, Franco-Prussian War (1870-1) Seizure of additional territory – Alsace-Lorraine, Franco-Prussian War (1870-1) Industrial expansion – rivalling GB in production of coal, steel & iron Industrial expansion – rivalling GB in production of coal, steel & iron Expansion of overseas trade – 400% ( ) Expansion of overseas trade – 400% ( )
What was life like in Germany under the Kaiser? To assess conditions in Germany before the Weimar Republic To evaluate the leadership skills of Kaiser Wilhelm Aims
Your task Study source 2 on p.6. Which adjective do you think best describes German people? Study source 2 on p.6. Which adjective do you think best describes German people? What do sources 3 & 4 tell us about German society? What do sources 3 & 4 tell us about German society?
Your task Before you begin to read about the German Kaiser Wilhelm II ( , d.1941), what sort of personality do you think he has on the basis of this evidence alone? How have you come to these conclusions?
What was the Kaiser really like? Born in 1859, grandson of Queen Victoria Born in 1859, grandson of Queen Victoria Suspicious of his parents ( surrounded palace when his father died of throat cancer because he suspected his mother would smuggle out the will ) Suspicious of his parents ( surrounded palace when his father died of throat cancer because he suspected his mother would smuggle out the will ) Withered arm – always keen to prove himself physically Withered arm – always keen to prove himself physically Possibly suffered brain damage at birth ( unable to concentrate on business of govt.) Possibly suffered brain damage at birth ( unable to concentrate on business of govt.) Loved military display Loved military display
Your task Read through the sources and decide whether the Kaiser demonstrated the necessary leadership skills to rule Germany effectively. Give him a mark out of 5 against the following criteria and choose a short quote or fact to support your judgement: Takes advice from ministers Takes advice from ministers Provides strong leadership Provides strong leadership Is a good decision-maker Is a good decision-maker Is popular Is popular Is reliable Is reliable
Homework Imagine you have been asked to write a travel guide for Germany in the early 1900s. Include the following points: recent history, German people and government of the Kaiser. You must be as positive as you can. Imagine you have been asked to write a travel guide for Germany in the early 1900s. Include the following points: recent history, German people and government of the Kaiser. You must be as positive as you can.
Extension task Produce a short radio advert (30secs.) that promotes the advantages of living and working in Germany and highlights the positive qualities of Kaiser Wilhelm as a leader. You can find out more about the Kaiser and Germany in this period here: