Germany is now the dominant power in Europe Nationalism: Germany Strengthens PPT #2 Germany is now the dominant power in Europe A famous painting by Anton von Werner of the proclamation of King William I as Kaiser of the new German Reich in the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles, January 18, 1871

Germany Becomes an Industrial Giant Aftermath of unification German Empire emerges as industrial giant of European continent Shipping 2nd to only Britain Ample iron & coal resources Educated workforce Productive & efficient

Population Growth From 41 million in 1871 to 67 million by 1914 Created huge home market of purchasers & large supply of workers

Increased Military Strength & Economic Power Issued single currency Reorganized banking Coordinated railroads built by various German States Increased Military Strength & Economic Power Used applied science to develop products Optics important industry Telescopes, microscopes, etc. Synthetic chemical and dyes Synthetic = prepared or made artificially

Campaign Against the Church Bismarck distrusted Catholics Their loyalty was to Pope not Germany Especially clergy He launched Kulturkampf = “battle for civilization” Lasted from 1871 – 1878 Catholics were to put allegiance to state – not church State took over Catholic education, approve who would be priest, must be married by civil law Bismarck’s policy backfired Faithful rallied behind church – Bismarck had to make peace w/church

Campaign Against the Socialists Bismarck saw threat in socialism 1870s – German Marxists organized Social Democratic Party Wanted Parliamentary Democracy Wanted laws to improve working conditions Turned workers toward revolution Tried to assassinate the Kaiser Bismarck tries to suppress the socialists, but they just keep popping up Bismarck shut down their newspapers Banned their meetings Repression backfired Bismarck changed course (see next slide)

BUT – people did not abandon socialism It grew in strength Bismarck now woos workers away from socialism Sponsored laws to protect them 1890s – German people had health & accident insurance Old age insurance / retirement Became model for other European nations Government’s role to provide for needs of citizens Conditions can improve without revolution BUT – people did not abandon socialism It grew in strength

The Kaiser had no further use for Bismarck Kaiser William II 1888 –William II succeeded his grandfather as Kaiser 1890 – shocked Europe – asked Bismarck to resign!!! “There is only one master in the Reich,” he said, “and that is I.” Believed his right to rule came from God “Dropping the Pilot” The Kaiser had no further use for Bismarck

However – government did provide programs for Social Welfare = programs to help certain groups of people Provided: cheap transportation & electricity Excellent public schools Taught obedience to Emperor, reading, writing, & mathematics

Kaiser Wm II lavished funds on German military machine – already most powerful in Europe Led ambitious campaign to expand navy & win overseas empire – to rival France & Britain His aggressive nationalism & military stance increased tension – leading up to World War I The Kaiser devouring the world