Germany 1918 - Getting to know the Second Reich

What was Prussia?

• The name for Russian ruled Poland

• Germany's largest state

• A rival state to the East

• The old name for Germany

Answer explanation

Prussia was the dominant state in the German Empire. It made up approximately two thirds of German territory. Prussia's King and Chancellor became Germany's in 1871. Prussia 's capital had been Berlin but other significant Prussian cities included Königsberg, Stettin and Posen. The Junkers, German aristocrats, were regarded as militaristic and nationalistic. In 1947 the name Prussia was formally abolished by the Allies as a symbol of German militarism.

Who was the Kaiser? Choose the most appropriate answer

• The name for the German Emperor from 1871-1918

• Germany's greatest footballer Franz Beckenbauer

• Otto von Bismarck

• The Tsar's brother

Answer explanation

The Kaiser was the name for the German Emperor and possessed fairly significant political power (although not as much as the Tsar). He could appoint the chancellor, call and dismiss parliament and control the army. There were three Kaisers: Wilhelm I (1861-1888), Friedrich III (1888), Wilhelm II (1888-1918)

What is meant by the term Reich?

• The Kaiser's Palace

• German-Speaking Europe

• Homeland

• Empire or realm

Answer explanation

Did you know Germany has had 3 'Reichs'. The first was known as the Holy Roman Empire and lasted over 1000 years (800CE-1806CE); The second was the Kaiserreich (1871CE-1918CE) and the final, and most in famous, was Hitler's Third Reich 1933-1945. None were ever known as first, second, third but it is a useful historical term!

What is meant by the term Volk?

• Volk referred to German speaking peoples both within and outside of the Empire

• Volk was a type of music with origins after the unification of Germany

• Volk referred to Germans who lived in the Empire

• An industrial company

Answer explanation

Volk was an important term because it referred to Germans both within and beyond the bounds of the Reich.

Why was the Franco-Prussian War important?

• Germany annexed the province of Alsace Lorraine

• Prussia ceased to exist and France became a province of Germany

• It marked the founding of the German Empire

• Germany chose not to include Austria in their Empire

Answer explanation

Prussia and their alliance of other German states decisively defeated the French Second Empire and had a victory parade in Paris. This was the main cause of German-French rivalry before WW1. The Empire was declared in the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles. This was a symbolic humiliation for France and revenge for Germany and Prussia after defeats by Napoleon and Louis XIV in earlier time periods.

What was the role of the Chancellor/Kanzler?

• Could appoint the Government

• Was equal to the Kaiser

• Could propose laws

• Depended on the support of the Reichstag

Which statements best describe the Reichstag?

• The Reichstag was the German Parliament.

• The Kaiser could be dismissed by the Reichstag

• It could agree or reject laws proposed by the Government or the Kaiser

• Members/Deputies were appointed by the Kaiser

Answer explanation

Germany's political system was by no means democratic but it did give greater opportunities for political representation than in the Russian Empire. By 1912 the Socialists had 130 seats but could not enter Government.

Spot the false statement about German war aims

• For Socialists this was a defensive war and they wanted a peace which did not lead to further power

• Both Socialists and Nationalists were united throughout the war and wanted the same thing

• The Burgfrieden was a united front which supported Germany's war effort

• Nationalists wanted a Siegfriede which lead to an expanded Reich

Answer explanation

The situation in Germany during the war became more and more desperate as it wore on. This only lead to further polarisation and would sow the seeds for later conflict during the early years of the Weimar republic.

Which Statement best describes Kaiser Wilhelm II?

• The Kaiser was an efficient ruler who made sure able Ministers were appointed and took decisions on his behalf

• The Kaiser was unpredictable and erratic and believed in his ability to make Germany a world power

• The Kaiser was more interested in chopping down wood than governing

• The Kaiser believed that he needed to assert himself and his ambition on Germany and would dismiss ministers, even the most capable, if they got in his way.

What was the most dangerous impact of World War One on Germany?

• Germany was ruled as a Military Dictatorship by Generals Ludendorff and Hindenburg. Political Opposition was silenced and locked up

• The British Navy's blockade of Germany led to severe shortages of food. In the Winter of 1916-17 Potato supplies ran out. Starvation and disease was the cause of death for approximately 0.75 million Germans

• Germany had been a prosperous and successful country before the war. The failure of the war effort had major psychological impacts on its people

• The Allied armies were in the ascendancy by August 1918 and after the failure of the Spring Offensive Germany looked like they were unable to withstand Allied advances

• On the home front discharged soldiers were coming home and causing chaos because of their discontent with the Kaiser and the war