The Problems Facing Bismarck in Germany in 1871-1890
W.M Simon suggests that “…what Bismarck prided himself on was his
ability to overcome tensions as they arose, not a capacity to stop
them appearing”[1] The problems facing Bismarck in Germany during this
period can be seen as three fold. First we can identify that there
were significant political problems which developed in Bismarck’s
Germany. Secondly there were religious and cultural aspects which
arose causing further problem to Bismarck. Finally the third and most
critical problem facing Bismarck was the economic and social problems
that had arisen in the new united Germany following the wars of
independence and leading to an economic depression in 1873.
The first problem which can be identified regarding political
significant was the strength of the Prussian state. Bismarck’s Germany
had been unified under Prussia. The Prussian state dominated the new
founded ‘empire’ remaining unchanged and self governed under the
Kaiser. The powers within the Prussian council had the ability to veto
any new proposals set out by the new federal council or what was known
as the Bundesrat. It is fair to say that Prussia had nothing to fear
from the opposition from smaller states due to its overwhelming
dominance in the Reichstag.
E.J Passant quotes that “…the constitution of 1871 makes clear the
conservative nature of the new Prusso-German Empire”[2]. Bismarck’s
first problem regarding the new dominated Prussian Reichstag which
controlled three fifths of the parliament was the new implementation
of universal manhood suffrage. This gave rise to both
misunderstandings and inner conflicts. ...
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... G. Layton - From Bismarck to Hitler: Germany 1890-1933, Hodder &
Stoughton, 1995
E.J. Passant – A short history of Germany, Cambridge University press,
1979
W.M. Simon – Germany in the age of Bismarck, George Allen and Unwin
ltd, 1968
B. Waller – Bismarck, Blackwell publishers, 1997
D.G Williamson – Bismarck and Germany, Longman, 1998
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[1] W.M. Simon – Germany in the age of Bismarck (George Allen and
Unwin ltd, 1968) page 39
[2] E.J Passant – A Short history of Germany 1815-1945 (Cambridge
University press, 1979) page 85
[3] Ibid, page 87
[4] W.M. Simon – Germany in the age of Bismarck (George Allen and
Unwin ltd, 1968) page 48
[5] Ibid page 49
[6] B. Waller – Bismarck (Blackwell publishers, 1997) page 103
Hagen W (2012). ‘German History in Modern Times: Four Lives of the Nation’. Published by Cambridge University Press (13 Feb 2012)
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