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Otto von Bismarck achieves unification of Germany under leadership of Prussia; new German Empire's authoritarian constitution creates elected national parliament, but gives emperor extensive powers.
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Start of William II's reign; start of trend towards colonial expansion and build-up of navy to compete with Britain's; rapid growth of economic power- needed more workers to produce more items
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Growing workers' movement culminates in founding of Social Democratic Party of Germany- many workers took part in the strike
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Germany defeated, signs armistice. Emperor William II abdicates and goes into exile- many workers lost their jobs
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Treaty of Versailles: Germany loses colonies and land to neighbours, pays large-scale reparations- pay came out of the hard work that laborers have done
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Adolf Hitler, head of the National Socialist German Workers' (Nazi) Party, leads an abortive coup in a Munich beer hall- many workers are forced to leave their jobs and now obey hitler
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Global depression, mass unemployment.