Under Bismarck and Emp. Wilhelm II

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Strongest state in Europe (25 states)Rapid industrializationBismarck (1871-1890 Chancellor!)

Bismarck’s Kulturkampf: Battle for modern civilization1864 Syllabus of Errors – Pius IX1870 Vatican Council I –Infallibility of the

Pope1871 Kulturkampf launched

Priests removed from teaching positions Jesuits expelled/Bishops exiled – arrestedClosed Catholic schoolsInstituted civil marriage

By 1875 Bismarck seeks compromise w/ CatholicsUltimately realizes there is a bigger threat...

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German Social Democrats 1875Led by Ferdinand Lassalle - moderate

socialism, founder of General German Worker’s Association

Bismarck fears rise of socialism (Paris Commune)1878-1890 must stop the spread of pro-

socialist ideas and growth of pro-socialist political parties = pass anti-socialist laws

Tries to build people’s confidence in him – not MarxInstitutes “State Socialism”: state-sponsored

unemployment insurance, healthcare, and retirement benefits = 1st social welfare program in the west

BUT more and more socialists elected to Reichstag anyway

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Wilhelm I dies 1888

Wilhelm II 1888-1918 (29 years old – idealist)Forces Bismarck to retire (70 years old)“New Course” --- but---

Colonial war in Africa 1906 Socialism spreads - 1912 Social Democrats win

control of ReichstagSocial/Political order challenged

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