The Problems Facing Bismarck in Germany in 1871-1890

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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. ...

... middle of paper ...

... 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

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