Internal Tensions: Wilhelmine Germany

To what extent was Wilhelmine Germany rived by internal tensions’
There were many reasons as to why Wilhelmine Germany had internal tensions and strains. A lot of these reasons are to do with the political side and the contradictions to do within Germany being seen as constitutional and democratic and then not issuing any of these policies. There are issues within the political parties themselves and conflating ideologies, as well as with the chancellors, the Kaiser and the government. Again another source of tensions was the growing minorities and varying races and religions making up a large part of Whilhelmine Germany, whom were treated immorally. All of these strains add up to make a tension filled country with a lot of underlying
problems, that were contradictions to what is portrayed.
A clear example of tensions within Germany at this time was the strain within the minorities and against them. There was a lot of discrimination towards the minorities whom joined Germany, be it Poles, French, Jews. Tensions were there as discriminations against both the ethnicities and the religions. There was an influx of Jewish people into Germany, therefore the anti-emetic actions grew larger, despite it already being apparent that the Kaiser was anti-Semitic himself, at the end of the19th century there was a wave of anti Semitic publications, the Kaiser is known to have read these books etc.., this causes great tensions, as clearly the population agrees with their Kaiser’s opinion causing anti-Semitism to rise. Another source of tension was the anti-Semitism being clear through the idea that no Jews were able to do more traditional career areas, such as government, the army and judiciary’, this meant the they had no choice but to become bankers and lawyers act, all high earning jobs, this caused some tension within the country as they were the higher earning majority, causing pressure on the government too. Not just with the Jewish population was discrimination aimed at, Catholics struggled for acceptance too as the Prussian majority whom were protestant were Lutheran and puritanical therefore harboured bad feelings towards the Polish, French and Bavarians. Bulow enforced laws that made it increasingly hard to teach specific religious things to do with the catholic beliefs, in education. This was a clear example of inner tensions in Wilhelmine Germany as there was conflict between religions spread all over. The majority of Jews and other minorities were working class; therefore the SPD gained a lot of support, these once again caused tensions but within the political parties.
Another reason that causes shows to a high extent Germany was riddled with internal tensions was the running of the Parliament and the problems within it.
There were many different political parties within the Reichstag with opposing views and opinions. There was the Centre Party, with strong catholic values and supporters, this again links back to the tensions within the minorities and a religion also as this was a fairly popular party during this time. There was also the Free Conservative Reich party who were extremely conservative supported by the landowners, the Junkers, and the industrialists, therefore having large support, as well as the Wilhelmine society being predominantly conservative. Then there was the Social Democratic Society (SPD) supported by the workers, this became increasingly the most popular party. Its growing recognition within the Whilhelmine population caused tensions because up until 1980 socialism had been outlawed, however by 1912 it was the largest party in the Reichstag as the urban/industrial Germany was increasing. The standard of living was low o the workers looked to the socialists, essentially a Marxist party they looked for revolution. The want for revolution and the mass support for this party scared the Kaiser causing underlying tensions within the Reichstag. However the SPD were reducing their want for revolution and manifested as trade unions and strikes, although this still caused problems for the Kaiser. Wilhelm II didn’t consult the
socialist and gave them no thought, for example were not appointed a chancellor, this obviously caused discontent as they were such a big political group by 1912. Another example of where strain was caused within the Reichstag were the 1906 elections, it displayed clear division between political parties. Until 1906 there was a chancellor formed alliance in the Reichstag- the ‘Blue-Black bloc’, which was an alliance between the Centre Party and the Conservatives. In 1904-1906 the Blue Black block started to disintegrate because the Catholic division were outraged by the governments handling of the uprising in South West Africa, the ‘Herero Genocide’. This again shows signs of tensions within the Reichstag and within particular parties. During the Hottentot Elections the new ‘Red-Black Block’ was created, it was anti-government because it believed the incidents in Africa were Genocide. The Herero incident caused a great deal of tensions as the army had become a ‘state; within Germany which made its own decisions, shown in Africa, and the Catholic parties had good intelligence as to what was happening and were shocked, shown in the 1906 election and split, it also shocked the SPD that the army were free to do as they please. Great tensions were caused within the Reichstag and there was little agreement, and what occurred in Africa caused great strain with the inner relationships of Whilelmine Germany as it turned parties, and people against the army, and split certain political bodies.
Another contradiction within the political side of Whilhelmine Germany and which did create tensions within the country and with the German people was the ruling of the Kaiser and the view that it can be seen as a somewhat authoritarian state, but presents itself as democratic and industrialising country.
Despite having a Reichstag and various political parties within, showing different views, the country was still essentially run by the Kaiser. The Kaiser had the power to summon the Reichstag and dismiss it when he pleased, this clearely caused unrest as in spite of there being a government, and Wilhelm II had overruling authority. Again, as well as controlling the fate of the Reichstag, the Kaiser was also the one whom appointed the chancellors and all government ministers and it was these ministers who would propose legislation for the two houses of parliament. So from this we can see, despite not directly controlling the state through political decisions made by him, he could decide who he wanted as chancellor and when he wished to dismiss them. An example of this was Von Caprivi, the chancellor appointed in 1890 taking over from Von Bismarck, he let the Kaiser know that if appointed he would be compliant, possibly why he was chosen as then Whilhelm would have effortless ruling. However, showing again that it is an authoritarian state, and somewhat dictatorial, the Kaiser removed Caprivi as he felt he was too progressive. Caprivi wanted a cooperative Reichstag and to be
partners in creating legislation (a law making body). His ‘new course’ included introducing social reforms, changing tariff laws and decreasing food/good prices for workers, all to aid industrial growth, it was supported by the most popular parties such as the Centre Party, the SPD and the catholic parties. This progressive attitude was resented by the Kaiser, showing that despite it being seen as a progressive democratic regime that helped the people and encouraged it to be largely industrialising, it was still very authoritarian and Wilhelm II disliked change or progressive attitudes. However some of the ‘new course’ policy was not agreed with within the Reichstag, this was a source of opposition internally. During 1894 there was a bitter debate within parliament and against the government, and as Caprivi didn’t have any say within the Reichstag he was unable to defend himself. The Kaiser could tell that the Caprivi was becoming increasingly unpopular and is slowly losing, he is influenced by the Reichstag to remove him, this counteracts the idea it is purely authoritarian as he alone is not the only one making important decisions, showing the constitution worked somewhat.
A finalising argument towards the authoritarian regime being more prominent than the equal democratically seen Wilhelmine Germany is the tensions with the Prussia and the Federal State. Strain and tensions were clearly caused with the point that Prussia had 17 seats within the Reichstag, whereas only 14 were needed to over-rule any laws that were passed by the Bundersrat. Due to this the Federal state then had no say politically what so ever and were unable to have impact on changes within Germany, again proving that tensions were caused within Wilhelmine Germany due to the contradiction of a ‘democratic society’ whereas, it was still fairly authoritarian lead.
To conclude, what I have seen from my research and evidence is that to a very high extent was Whilehlemine Germany riddled with internal tensions. The main cause of a lot of these problems was the internal issues within the parliament and the ruling of Germany. Without a strong constitution and democratic voice Germany could not progress, there were inner conflicts between political parties, showing to a great extent that there was a strain on relationships. There were also tensions between religions and races which made up the population. The contradictions between democracy and authoritarian ideas, and the fact it seemed a multi-cultural society but there was high in justification which caused them to be more diverse and split. It seemed as if things were divided which caused a lot of the internal tensions between the late 1800’s and 1914. The government the regime and society had a great deal of pressure caused by problems within, so to a great extent was Whilelmine Germany rived with internal tensions.