1. Germany and the Growth of Democracy
The Power of the Kaiser and changes in Germany

2. By the end of this lesson everybody will be able to…
Recall how the German political system worked
Explain the differences between Left wing and Right wing in politics
Evaluate whether Kaiser Wilhelm was in complete control of Germany.

3. German Government KAISER (Hereditary, for life) Chancellor Parliament
APPOINTS
SUMMONS
COMMANDS
Chancellor
Minister
Parliament
Army
Bundesrat (Make laws)
Reichstag
(Approve laws)

4. Germany was made up of 25 States
Each of Germany’s 25 states had control of their own domestic (internal) matters.
Their power was declining as the national government passed legislation on:
Communication
Expansion of army and navy
Social Insurance Schemes
If national Government gains more power this means more power for whom?

5. German Government The Kaiser was in control
He appointed Government ministers
They were then answerable to him and he could sack them
The Kaiser and his Ministers controlled what the Reichstag discussed
Political Parties were developing but no one party had a majority
There were Left wing groups such as the Social Democrat Party
There were also a number of conservative Right Wing parties
All men could vote

6. Left wing and Right Wing
Draw this in your book, underneath we are going to list things that are Left wing/ Right wing
Left wing
Right wing

7. Changes in Germany
Whilst the upper and middle classes were happy with right wing dominated governments increasingly the working classes wanted change
Germany was undergoing rapid industrialisation
Social Reform was introduced
However the influence of Prussian militarism remained

8. Industrialisation (p56)
1) In 1880 how much steel was Germany producing compared to Britain?
2) In 1914 how much steel was Germany producing compared to Britain?
3) In 1914 what fraction of the world’s electrical goods were produced in Germany?
4) What kind of firms were Bosch and Siemens?
5) What was the German population in 1871? 1914?
6) What was Germany needing to import more of and why?

9. Social Reform and Socialism
Define Authoritarianism
What Social Reforms were brought in?
Was Germany behind or ahead of Britain in doing this?
Why do you think the German government introduced these reforms?
Why might social reform help the productivity (how well people work/ how much they produce) of a work force?

10. Prussian militarism and Navy Laws
Explain the term Prussian militarism
What were the Navy Laws?
Why would these two things strengthen the position of the Kaiser and damage the growth of democracy?

11. Focus Task Diagram
Complete Focus task P58