1. 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

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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)

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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