1. HIST2086 Bismarck: The Iron Chancellor The German Empire: Structures and Challenges Lecture 14 2 November 2010

2. Birth Founding of German Empire at Versailles, France ( 18 Jan 1871): Bismarck’s use of German patriotism to put strong pressure on 4 South German states (Bavaria, Baden, Württemberg, Hesse) to join ‘Reich’ Final agreement on ‘Reich’ as federal state King William I initially reluctant to become German Emperor (Kaiser) + preferred ‘Emperor of Germany’ = unacceptable for King of Bavaria

3. Imperial Constitution (1) Fundamental purpose: To ensure dominance of conservative Prussian monarchy over its own citizens To ensure Prussian dominance over the other German States

4. Imperial Constitution (2) Federal State (Bundesstaat): Powers + functions divided between: → Central or Federal government (Reichsleitung): few substantial internal rights → 25 Federal states (Bundesstaaten) governments: substantial internal rights retained

5. Imperial Constitution (3) German Kaiser = Prussian King: Head of imperial executive + civil service, commander-in-chief, power of declaring war + making peace, appointed/dismissed Federal Chancellor Federal Council (Bundesrat): Representation of Empire’s Federal States (Bundesstaaten) Parliament (Reichstag): Elected by universal manhood suffrage (democratic element) Federal Chancellor (Bundeskanzler): Only Minister + representative of Kaiser in Bundesrat

6. Imperial Constitution (4) Strong divergence between theory + practice: Various disparate elements + conflicting authorities Self-creation of Bismarck to keep control over different competing power groups Huge problems of control for weak-unable chancellor + in times of crisis = Polycracy → Bureaucratic chaos

7. Europe + Germany (1) No European guarantee of German Empire’s existence + integrity + security → Reason: Its creation by wars against isolated enemies without international acceptance No European certainty about future foreign policy of German Empire → Reason: Its creation based on destruction of German Confederation + on division of German nation

8. Europe + Germany (2) Traditional European power structure totally changed → Reason: Before 1871: Major factor of European stability = Divided + powerless centre of Europe After 1871: Major factor of European concern + fear = United German power potential under Prussian leadership

9. Europe + Germany (3) Germany’s threat: population, economic + military potential Germany’s strength: Stronger than any of other 4 big powers (F, R, A, GB) = Potential danger of German hegemony over Europe

10. GermanyFranceBritain Population (m.) 413632 Coal (m. tons) 3813118 Steel (m. tons) 0.30.080.6 Iron ore (m. tons) 2.92.614 World trade (m. marks) 4,2404,5409,180 Comparison of 3 European economies in 1870

11. Europe + Germany (4) But: Germany’s weakness: Not strong enough against alliance of big powers → ‘half hegemony’ Germany’s fear: Encirclement by alliance of big powers → ‘Sword of Damocles’ = Latent German tendency to expand, to enforce full hegemony, to defend herself by making war = Constant European feeling of threat + mistrust towards Germany

12. Dominating factors of German Foreign Policy Centre position of Germany → Cauchemar des coalitions (Nightmare of coalitions) France’s permanent hostility + revenge feeling → Nightmare of Alsace-Lorraine Structural dependency on Austria + Russia → Nightmare of involvement in national conflicts + external rivalries