Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Germany, 1871–1990: united, divided and reunited - 1 Ruling the Second…
Full specification wording
Paper 3, Option 37.2: Germany, 1871–1990: united, divided and reunited - 1 Ruling the Second Reich, 1871–79: The importance of the Reichstag and the parties: relationship with Bismarck; the impact of regional and social divisions.
The Reichstag was elected by universal male suffrage, but its powers were limited: it could approve budgets and legislation, yet could not dismiss the Chancellor, who was responsible to the Kaiser.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The Reichstag was elected by universal male suffrage, but its powers were limited: it could approve budgets and legislation, yet could not dismiss the Chancellor, who was responsible to the Kaiser. Bismarck manipulated parties and used divisions to his advantage. Regional identities remained strong: Prussia dominated, but Bavaria, Saxony and Württemberg retained distinct institutions. Social divisions included class tensions between industrial workers and the middle class, and religious divisions between Catholics and Protestants. The Reichstag became a forum for opposition, but Bismarck could often bypass it. For example, the 1878 Anti-Socialist Law was passed after the Reichstag was dissolved and re-elected. Regional and social divisions both weakened the Reichstag's ability to challenge Bismarck and provided him with opportunities to divide his opponents.
What earns the marks
- Explains the constitutional powers of the Reichstag: budget approval, legislation, but no control over the Chancellor.
- Analyses Bismarck's relationship with parties: cooperation with National Liberals, conflict with Catholics and Socialists.
- Assesses the impact of regional divisions: Prussia's dominance, particularism in Bavaria and other states.
- Evaluates social divisions: class conflict, urbanisation, and the growth of the SPD.
- Uses specific examples, such as the Kulturkampf or Anti-Socialist Laws, to illustrate arguments.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Assuming the Reichstag had full parliamentary sovereignty.
Put it right: It could not appoint or dismiss the Chancellor; that power lay with the Kaiser.
Treating regional divisions as insignificant after 1871.
Put it right: States like Bavaria retained separate armies and postal services, and particularism persisted.
Overlooking social divisions beyond class, such as religious divisions.
Put it right: The Catholic Centre Party represented a significant confessional divide.
Exam tips
- Link the powers of the Reichstag to specific examples of Bismarck's manipulation, such as the 1878 dissolution.
- Compare the influence of regional and social divisions on political stability, using named states or groups.
- Avoid generalisations: refer to specific parties (National Liberals, Centre, SPD) and their changing relationship with Bismarck.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 3, Option 37.2: Germany, 1871–1990: united, divided and reunited - 1 Ruling the Second Reich, 1871–79: The importance of the Reichstag and the parties: relationship with Bismarck; the impact of regional and social divisions. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Under the constitution of the Second Reich, how were members of the Reichstag chosen?
Listen
The Reichstag was elected by universal male suffrage, but its powers were limited: it could approve budgets and legislation, yet could not dismiss the Chancellor, who was responsible to the Kaiser. Bismarck manipulated parties and used divisions to his advantage. Regional identities remained strong: Prussia dominated, but Bavaria, Saxony and Württemberg retained distinct institutions. Social divisions included class tensions between industrial workers and the middle class, and religious divisions between Catholics and Protestants. The Reichstag became a forum for opposition, but Bismarck could often bypass it. For example, the 1878 Anti-Socialist Law was passed after the Reichstag was dissolved and re-elected. Regional and social divisions both weakened the Reichstag's ability to challenge Bismarck and provided him with opportunities to divide his opponents. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains the constitutional powers of the Reichstag: budget approval, legislation, but no control over the Chancellor. Analyses Bismarck's relationship with parties: cooperation with National Liberals, conflict with Catholics and Socialists. Assesses the impact of regional divisions: Prussia's dominance, particularism in Bavaria and other states. Evaluates social divisions: class conflict, urbanisation, and the growth of the SPD. A common slip: assuming the Reichstag had full parliamentary sovereignty. Instead, it could not appoint or dismiss the Chancellor; that power lay with the Kaiser. Exam tip: Link the powers of the Reichstag to specific examples of Bismarck's manipulation, such as the 1878 dissolution.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Constitutional limitations
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Political manipulation
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Regional particularism
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Social and religious divisions
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Constitutional limitations
- The Reichstag could approve budgets and legislation, yet could not dismiss the Chancellor, who was responsible to the Kaiser.
- Political manipulation
- Bismarck manipulated parties and used divisions to his advantage, and could often bypass the Reichstag.
- Regional particularism
- Prussia dominated, but Bavaria, Saxony and Württemberg retained distinct institutions, and regional identities remained strong.
- Social and religious divisions
- Class tensions between industrial workers and the middle class, and divisions between Catholics and Protestants, weakened the Reichstag's ability to challenge Bismarck.
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