How Did the German Empire Actually Work?

Summary

The German Empire, formed in 1871, was a federation dominated by Prussia, with power concentrated in the hands of its Kaiser and Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck. While the Empire had democratic institutions like the Reichstag, real authority lay with the Kaiser and the Bundesrat, where Prussia held the most sway. Bismarck’s political skill maintained stability, but after the death of Wilhelm I, his successor Wilhelm II adopted a more aggressive foreign policy and dismissed Bismarck, leading to the Empire’s eventual downfall. The complex balance of power between monarchs, states, and institutions shaped Germany’s political landscape for decades.

Takeaways

• 😀 In 1871, the North German Confederation became the German Empire, but the central government in Berlin struggled to exert full control over all the states.
• 😀 The German Empire was dominated by Prussia, with its King also serving as the Emperor, while other states retained varying levels of autonomy.
• 😀 Otto von Bismarck, as Chancellor, held significant political power, often acting as the de facto ruler of Germany during Wilhelm I's reign.
• 😀 The South German states, especially Bavaria, were more independent than the northern states and held onto some control over their domestic policies.
• 😀 Bismarck's constitution was designed to concentrate power in the hands of the Emperor, while also establishing a bicameral Parliament with limited powers.
• 😀 The Reichstag, elected through universal male suffrage, had little real power, often being divided between Bismarck's supporters and leftist revolutionaries.
• 😀 The Bundesrat, the upper house of Parliament, held significant power, with Prussia controlling the most votes and a strong influence over decision-making.
• 😀 Bismarck's power stemmed from his control of Prussia and his relationship with the Kaiser, making him a near-dictator in practice despite the appearance of a constitutional government.
• 😀 The Kaiser held considerable theoretical power, including control over the army, navy, and foreign policy, but often delegated this power to Bismarck.
• 😀 The German Empire's constitution was built around a stable relationship between Bismarck and Wilhelm I, but the death of Wilhelm I and the rise of Wilhelm II led to significant changes in governance.
• 😀 Wilhelm II's impulsive leadership style and dismissing Bismarck in 1890 led to a shift towards a more direct form of rule, which ultimately contributed to Germany's troubles in the coming decades.

Q & A

How did the German Empire come into existence?

The German Empire was created in 1871 after the North German Confederation transformed into the Empire following Prussia's successful unification of Germany through a combination of war and diplomacy, primarily under the leadership of Otto von Bismarck.

What role did Prussia play in the German Empire?

Prussia dominated the German Empire, with its King Wilhelm I also holding the title of Emperor (Kaiser). Prussia's political and military influence was central, and its Minister-President, Otto von Bismarck, essentially ran the empire through his control over the central government.

How much autonomy did the states within the German Empire have?

The states within the German Empire had varying degrees of autonomy. The northern states were more dependent on Prussia, while the southern states, particularly Bavaria, had greater independence, maintaining their own armies and control over domestic policies.

What was the relationship between the Kaiser and the Chancellor?

The Kaiser was theoretically the highest authority in the German Empire, but in practice, Otto von Bismarck, as Chancellor, held significant power, with the Kaiser largely delegating governance to him. The Chancellor's authority was reinforced by the Emperor's trust and political backing.

How did Bismarck maintain control over the German government despite the appearance of a constitutional system?

Bismarck used the system of dual parliamentary bodies—Reichstag and Bundesrat—to maintain control. While the Reichstag had limited power, the Bundesrat, where Prussia held significant influence, allowed Bismarck to manipulate the system and govern effectively as a de facto dictator.

What were the main flaws in the German Empire's political system?

The main flaw was its dependence on the stable relationship between Bismarck and Kaiser Wilhelm I. The system worked well as long as Bismarck could maintain control, but it struggled when Wilhelm II ascended the throne and dismissed Bismarck, leading to less competent governance.

What role did universal male suffrage play in the Reichstag?

Universal male suffrage in the Reichstag was a groundbreaking reform at the time, allowing all men to vote. However, it was largely a strategic move by Bismarck to secure his own power, as the Reichstag had little real authority and was often ineffective in challenging the government.

How did the Bundesrat function in the German Empire?

The Bundesrat was the upper house of the German Parliament, made up of representatives from the individual states, with Prussia holding the most power. It had significant control over the government's direction, with 61 votes distributed based on state size, and the Prussian minister-president held key positions in the Bundesrat.

What was the significance of Bismarck's resignation in 1890?

Bismarck's resignation in 1890 marked a turning point for the German Empire. It was prompted by a conflict with Kaiser Wilhelm II, who wanted to rule more directly and resented Bismarck's influence. This change in leadership led to a shift in Germany's political direction, particularly in foreign policy.

What was the impact of Wilhelm II on the German Empire's foreign policy?

Wilhelm II's reign dramatically altered German foreign policy. Unlike his grandfather, Wilhelm I, who pursued a policy of cautious diplomacy, Wilhelm II adopted a more aggressive and belligerent approach, which contributed to tensions that would ultimately lead to World War I.