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The Franco-Prussian War begins
The Franco-Prussian war began on July 19 1870 when German troops invated northeastern France, three days after the French parliment voted for war with Prussia.
The two opposing sides were the Second French Empire and troops from the North German Confederation states (Bavaria, Wurttemberg, Baden and Hesse-Darmstadt), led by Prussia. -
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The Franco-Prussian War
Between 1870-1871 French forces were overwhelmingly defeated by the Prussian army that was allied with troops from four southern German states: Bavaria, Wurttemburg, Baden and Hesse-Darmstadt. During this war, Germany claimed the full province of Alsace and half of Lorraine from France, leaving the French resentful. The Prussian-German victory filled all Germans with patriotism, however modern historians debate the name of this war as Prussia dominated but all German states fought. -
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KULTURKAMPF/LIBERAL ERA
This 8 year period involved a struggle for culture and civilisation between the German state and the Catholic Church. The National Liberal party supported Bismarck's hatred for Catholics, founded upon the belief that Catholics were not loyal Germans. Through measures such as the May Laws (1873), Bismarck repressed the Catholic Church by bringing priests under state control, and he also tried to 'Germanise' ethnic minority groups. The era ended when the greater threat of socialism emerged. -
Second German Empire formed
The Second German Empire (Kaiserreich) was formed at the Palace of Versailles following the Franco-Prussian War in 1870-71. King William I of Prussia became Emperor (Kaiser) of Prussia - which was the domineering German state - and Otto von Bismarck his Imperial Chancellor. -
The May Laws
Introduced by Dr Adalbert Falk, the Prussian Minister of Religion and Education, at the height of the Kulturkampf era, these were a series of measures intended to bring the Catholic Church under state control. Measures included all candidates for Priesthood now had attend a secular (non-religious) university before beginning training, and all religious appointments had to be approved by the state. -
Septennates
When the Eternal Law of 1874 was not passed, and Bismarck threatened the National Liberals with calling for new elections, a compromise was reached whereby military spending would be reviewed in the Reichstag every 7 years. This greatly reduced the Riechstag's financial powers. -
National Liberals lose Reichstag seats
National Liberal Reichstag seats 1871-1878 1871 - 125
1874 - 155
1877 - 128
1878 - 99 -
Anti-Socialist Laws
Bismarck introduced a series of laws which he thought would prevent the rise of socialism.These laws banned: trade unions, all socialist groups meeting, and the publication of socialist propoganda. -
Tariff Act
At a time when protectionists (mainly Centre Party and Conservative members) had a Reichstag majority, a tariff bill was passed, imposing duties on imports. Most historians argue that this act was successful as it developed a large internal market, protected German jobs and unified North and South Germany. Furthermore, the National Liberal party (which Bismarck had just abandoned) splintered as a result of the rise of protectionism, going against their belief in free trade being the best option. -
DUAL ALLIANCE
Bismarck, fearing encirclement, allied with Austria in what historians call the 'Dual Alliance'. Bismarck knew that his military could defeat the French. However, he feared that France would ally with Austria or Russia to invade Germany on several fronts. This would pose a massive threat to German national security and therefore Bismarck aimed to isolate France through this alliance. -
TRIPLE ALLIANCE
Italy joined Austria's alliance with Germany, forming the Triple Alliance. This was a further stongpoint of Bismarck's successful foreign policy, widely acclaimed by historians because he managed to maintain peace in Europe for two decades, ultimately achieving his aim of advancing the interests of Prussia. -
Sickness Insurance Act
The first law in Bismarck's 'State Socialism' initiative, the Sickness Insurance Act provided three million low-paid workers with medical care and up to thirteen weeks' sick pay. This proposal was funded by a two-thirds financial contrubution from workers, and a one-third contribution from employers. Bismarck endeavored to steal the loyal support of the working classes away from the Social Democratic Party, threrefore destroying socialism. Did it work? -
Accident Insurance Act
Financed wholly by employers, this measure provided protection to workers that were permentantly disabled or sick for more than thirteen weeks. This was the second proposal in Bismarck's 'State Socialism' initiative, and it layed the foundations for Germany's welfare state. -
REINSURANCE TREATY
Bismarck signed a deal with Russia in which he would not interfere with Russia's interests in the Balkans for the return of their promise not to ally with France. -
William I dies
Aged 90, William I died and was succeeded by his son Frederick. However, just three months later, Frederick died from cancer and his 29-year-old son Wilhelm then became Emperor. Wilhelm II believed in the divine right of kings (monarch rules by the authority of God) and had an incredibly complex character. Certainly, Wilhelm was a stark German nationalist and disagreed with Bismarck on many fronts, namely the Reinsurance Treaty and his plan to make the Anti-Socialist Law permanent. -
Old Age and Disability Act
Financed by workers, employers and the state, this measure provided pensions to those over 70 years of age and disablement pensions to those who were younger.
This concluded Bismarck's 'State Socialism' proposal and had mixed success. Despite the fact many workers opposed the policies as Bismarck still prevented the formation of trade unions and appauling labour conditions endured, they were the first of their kind worldwide and became a model of social provision for other countries. -
Bismarck Resigns
In March 1890, Bismarck revived an order first issued in 1852 that forbade ministers to approach the Pussian King except through the Minister-President of Prussia. Bismarck perceived this as meaning that ministers had to pass through him to speak to the Emperor, however Wilhelm II disagreed.
In a stormy meeting, Bismarck almost threw an inkpot at the Emperor and was given an ultimatum: resign or face dismissal. Three days later, Bismarck sent a letter of resignation, based on stark differences.
