1. Section 3: Opposition to Bismarck
CHAPTER 16
Nationalism in Europe
Section 3: Opposition to Bismarck
Objectives:
Explain the problems Bismarck faced as chancellor of the German Empire.
Describe how Germany became industrialized under Bismarck’s leadership.
Summarize the social reforms adopted under Bismarck.

2. Bismarck’s solutions:
SECTION 3
Opposition to Bismarck
16.3 Bell Ringer:
What was the final outcome of the solutions to Bismarck’s problems?
Bismarck’s problems:
Bismarck’s solutions:
liberal and democratic ideas
non-Prussian politicians
Social Democratic Party
Catholics/Centre Party
new kaiser
help industry
repress socialism
social reforms
Kulturkamf
threaten to resign
Final Outcome for Bismarck:

3. SECTION 3
Israel and the Occupied Territories
Opposition to Bismarck
Prussia has led the way to German unification, but Bismarck faced opposition from groups within the German Empire …
and a new boss.

4. Opposition to Bismarck
SECTION 3
Opposition to Bismarck
Israel and the Occupied Territories
Bismarck didn’t get the absolute monarchy he wanted….
Hannover’s representatives were in constant opposition to Prussia.
Some groups demanded a more liberal and democratic gov’t than he wanted to allow.
The Catholic Bavarians remained skeptical of the new Empire.

5. Opposition to Bismarck
SECTION 3
Israel and the Occupied Territories
Opposition to Bismarck
The Catholic Church presented special problems for Bismarck.
Bismarck saw pope’s claim of the right to administer church property as foreign interference & a threat-southern German states mostly Catholic PLUS Bismarck DID NOT trust Catholics

6. Kulturkampf Opposition to Bismarck SECTION 3
Israel and the Occupied Territories
Opposition to Bismarck
Kulturkampf
Anti-Catholic program
Pass strict laws to control Catholic clergy and schools
Diplomatic relations with Vatican were broken
Church property confiscated
Would end in failure 1887

7. Opposition to Bismarck
Visual Source
Opposition to Bismarck
Israel and the Occupied Territories

8. Bismarck wanted to transform Prussia into industrial giant.
SECTION 3
Israel and the Occupied Territories
Opposition to Bismarck
Bismarck wanted to transform Prussia into industrial giant.
Rich stores of natural resources
German gov’t owned
System of canals
German industrialization came later than GB & France
Gov’t helped industry
Rich stores of natural resources (coal + iron= steel)
German gov’t owned railroadsàmanaged them to promote industrial dvlpmt
System of canals provided cheap but slow transportation
German industrialization came later than GB & Franceàcould use most advanced methods & machinery dvlpd elsewhere, w/ improvements
Gov’t helped industry: standardized money & banking laws throughout empire; centralized postal & telegraph services; encouraged German industrialists to form cartels (union); adopted high tariff policy

9. Opposition to Bismarck
Visual Source
Israel and the Occupied Territories
Opposition to Bismarck
The Social Democratic Party’s breakthrough in the Reichstag elections of February 20, 1890, is trumpeted in this facsimile of the front page of the party’s leading newspaper, Der Sozialdemokrat, on March 8, 1890.

10. Socialism in Germany Opposition to Bismarck SECTION 3
Israel and the Occupied Territories
Opposition to Bismarck
Socialism in Germany
Some believed actions of cartels led to lower wages and higher prices, wanted gov’t action
Socialist reformers advocated gov’t ownership of all major industries
German socialists formed Social Democratic Party- most members city workers, representation in Reichstag grew but Reichstag powerless to pass laws Bundesrat opposed
Reichstag was still good public forum

11. Bismarck’s Antisocialist Campaign
SECTION 3
Israel and the Occupied Territories
Opposition to Bismarck
Bismarck’s Antisocialist Campaign
Growing socialist support alarmed Bismarck
Assassination attempts against the Kaiser
Kaiser & Bundesrat dissolved Reichstag & called for new elections
New laws prohibited newspapers, books, pamphlets, public meetings from spreading socialist ideas
Growing socialist support alarmed Bismarck
Two attempts to assassinate him in 1878, had no ties to socialism but he still blamed it on them
Emperor & Bundesrat dissolved Reichstag & called for new elections
New laws prohibited newspapers, books, pamphlets, public meetings from spreading socialist ideas
Social Democratic representation still increasedàBismarck’s new policy-“stealing the socialists’ thunder”
Reforms according to new policy: insurance against sickness & accidents paid for by employers, limited working hours, holidays from work, pensions for disabled & retired
These reforms did not wipe out socialism but eliminated many workers’ grievances

12. Opposition to Bismarck
Political Cartoon
Opposition to Bismarck
Israel and the Occupied Territories

13. Opposition to Bismarck
SECTION 3
Israel and the Occupied Territories
Opposition to Bismarck
Social Democratic representation still increased à Bismarck’s new policy-“stealing the socialists’ thunder”
Reforms according to new policy: insurance against sickness & accidents paid for by employers, limited working hours, holidays from work, pensions for disabled & retired
These reforms did not wipe out socialism but eliminated many workers’ grievances

14. Opposition to Bismarck
Visual Source
Israel and the Occupied Territories
Opposition to Bismarck
This 1913 poster praises the German social insurance system, which was implemented by Bismarck to "take the wind out of the sails" of the social democratic movement in the 1880s

15. Bismarck’s Resignation
SECTION 3
Israel and the Occupied Territories
Opposition to Bismarck
Bismarck’s Resignation
William I died, succeeded by son Fredrick III who also died, succeeded by g’son William II
William & Bismarck disagreed: William felt Bismarck had too much power, Bismarck resented this, felt William was too rash & undisciplined

16. Opposition to Bismarck
SECTION 3
Israel and the Occupied Territories
Opposition to Bismarck
1890- Bismarck threatens to resign – William accepts!
William II seeks to expand Germany’s colonial empireàincreased strength & size of militaryàbrought them into competition w/GB
Sir John Tenniel. "Dropping the pilot." Punch. London: Punch Publications Ltd., March 1890.

17. Opposition to Bismarck
SECTION 3
Opposition to Bismarck
Israel and the Occupied Territories

18. Opposition to Bismarck
SECTION 3
Opposition to Bismarck
Israel and the Occupied Territories

19. Opposition to Bismarck
SECTION 3
Opposition to Bismarck
Israel and the Occupied Territories

20. Bismarck’s solutions:
SECTION 3
Opposition to Bismarck
Bismarck’s problems:
Bismarck’s solutions:
liberal and democratic ideas
non-Prussian politicians
Social Democratic Party
Catholics/Centre Party
new kaiser
help industry
repress socialism
social reforms
Kulturkamf
threaten to resign
Outcome:
resignation accepted