CHAPTER 10 Section 2

• Germany’s rulers:– William I – Chancellor: Otto von Bismarck

• The German Industrial Giant– Industrial giant of Europe– Dominated in chemical and electrical fields

(late 1800’s)– Shipping (second in Europe)

• Economic Progress– Spectacular growth

• Iron• Coal

– Discipline and education– Large work force– Large companies– Railroads– House of Krupp

• Weapons and steel (sold world wide)

• Science Government and Industry– Synthetic chemicals– Dyes– Hired trained scientists to solve

technological problems in factories– 1871 state currency

• banking system• railroads connected German states

The Iron Chancellor

– Bismarck’s foreign policy goals• Keep France weak• Build strong ties with Austria and Prussia

– Bismarck’s domestic policy• Erase local royalties• Crush all oppositions to the imperial state• Targeted

– Catholics

– Socialists

• Campaign Against the Church– Catholics made up 1/3 of population

• Bismarck distrusted the clergy

Bismarck launched the Kulturkampf

• battle for civilization– he wanted Catholics to claim loyalty to the state not

the Church– government controlled Catholic education– appointed priests– closed religious orders

– expelled Jesuits from Prussia

– couples had to be married by civil authorities

– Bismarck lost the battle against the church– Instead of Kulturkampf making the church weaker it made

the church stronger

Campaign against Socialism

• German Marxists– Parliamentary democracy– Laws to improve the working class

» Laws passed» Dissolved socialist groups» Shut down their newspapers» Ban their meetings

• Bismarck made many changes for the working class to get them away from socialism

» Health and accident insurance» Old age insurance» Retirement benefits

• Plan partially worked» People still remained partial to socialism » By 1912 had major control of the Reichstag party

• Kaiser William II– Grandson of William I– 1890 asked Bismarck to resign– Believed the right to rule came from God

(Divine Right)• Set up social welfare• Public schools• Taught obedience, reading, writing & math

– Made army stronger– Expanded German Navy– Looked to expand Germany overseas