1. German Empire Under Bismarck (1871-1890)

2. General Government Structure
Kaiser held executive authority
Reichstag represent the volk
Lower house
Bundesrat represent the German states
Upper house
Chancellor head of legislature

3. Political Parties Conservatives (Junkers)
Nationalists (middle-class): support Bismarck until 1878
Center or Catholic Party: support Particularism (regional priorities)
Bismarck tried to limit Catholic Party due to Papal Infallibility belief

4. SPD: Social Democratic Party (Marxists): want sweeping changes and genuine democracy
Desire demilitarization
Bismarck tried SPD to eliminate but failed

5. Chancellor Bismarck’s Reforms
Unified monetary system
Established Imperial Bank
Universal civil and criminal codes
Compulsory Military service
Domestic tariff

6. Child Labor regulations Social Security Laws
National sickness and accident laws
Old-age pensions and retirement benefits

7. Dropping of the Pilot
New Kaiser (William II) disapprove of Bismarck’s attempt to outlaw SPD
Bismarck forced to resign in 1890