Paper 3, Option 37.2: Germany, 1871–1990: united, divided and reunited - 1 Ruling the Second Reich, 1871–79 — Edexcel A-Level History
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Paper 3, Option 37.2: Germany, 1871–1990: united, divided and reunited - 1 Ruling the Second Reich, 1871–79 explained
Paper 3, Option 37.2: Germany, 1871–1990: united, divided and reunited - 1 Ruling the Second Reich, 1871–79 covers 3 specification points, including Trying to reconcile unity and division; the… and Relationship with Bismarck; the impact of….
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Open a point below for its explanation and revision guidance.
Impact of the new Germany's constitution: trying to reconcile unity and division; the federal government and the Länder.
The 1871 constitution tried to reconcile German unity with existing divisions. It created a federal state with a national government, the Reich, alongside 25 member states, the Länder, which kept their own monarchies, parliaments and administrations. The Kaiser controlled foreign policy and the army, the Chancellor answered to him, and the Reichstag was elected by universal male suffrage but could not appoint or dismiss the Chancellor. Prussia dominated through its size and its king holding the imperial title. This gave unity in foreign policy and law while preserving particularism in taxation, policing and culture. Assess how far the settlement balanced unity and division.
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. 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.
Attempts to consolidate the new Germany: Bismarck’s break with, the National Liberals; the Kulturkampf; the appeal to nationalism to achieve unity; the War in Sight crisis.
After unification, Bismarck sought to consolidate the new German Empire. He initially cooperated with the National Liberals on reforms, but broke with them in 1879 when he adopted protectionist tariffs and turned to conservative allies. The Kulturkampf (1871–1878) was a struggle against the Catholic Church, aiming to reduce its influence, but it backfired by strengthening the Centre Party. Bismarck also appealed to nationalism to unify Germans, often by portraying external enemies. The War in Sight crisis of 1875, when rumours of a preventive war against France caused alarm, demonstrated Bismarck's use of foreign policy to rally support and isolate opponents. These attempts had mixed success.
Your focus
- Describe the main institutions and powers created by the 1871 constitution.
- Explain how the constitution both unified Germany and preserved regional division.
- Evaluate the extent to which the federal settlement reconciled unity with division.
Show all 9 objectives
- Describe the constitutional role and powers of the Reichstag in the Second Reich.
- Analyse Bismarck's strategies in managing political parties and divisions.
- Evaluate the extent to which regional and social divisions undermined the Reichstag's effectiveness.
- Describe Bismarck's key policies aimed at consolidating the new German Empire.
- Analyse the reasons for and consequences of the Kulturkampf and the break with the National Liberals.
- Evaluate the role of nationalism and the War in Sight crisis in Bismarck's domestic consolidation.
Paper 3, Option 37.2: Germany, 1871–1990: united, divided and reunited - 1 Ruling the Second Reich, 1871–79 exam tips
Marking Points
- Explains that the 1871 constitution created a federal Germany combining a national Reich with 25 member states, the Länder.
- Explains that the Länder retained their own monarchies, parliaments and administrative powers, preserving regional identity.
- Explains that the Kaiser controlled foreign policy and the army, and the Chancellor was responsible to him rather than to the Reichstag.
- Explains that the Reichstag was elected by universal male suffrage but had limited powers, unable to appoint or dismiss the Chancellor.
- Explains that Prussia's size and the Kaiser's dual role as King of Prussia gave it dominance within the federal structure.
- Judges how far the constitution reconciled unity with division, noting both integration and persistent particularism.
- 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.
- Explains Bismarck's initial alliance with the National Liberals and the reasons for the break in 1879 over protectionist tariffs.
- Describes the aims and methods of the Kulturkampf, and its political consequences for the Centre Party.
- Analyses how Bismarck used an appeal to nationalism and foreign policy crises, such as the War in Sight crisis, to consolidate power.
- Assesses the effectiveness of these attempts in unifying Germany and suppressing opposition.
- Uses specific evidence, such as the May Laws or the 1879 tariff legislation, to support arguments.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Use the terms Reich, Länder, Kaiser, Chancellor and Reichstag precisely and consistently.
- 💡Support claims about unity or division with a specific institution or power, such as army control or regional taxation.
- 💡Balance the argument by showing both integrating and divisive features of the constitution.
- 💡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.
- 💡Show how each attempt to consolidate Germany had both intended and unintended consequences.
- 💡Use precise dates and terms, such as the May Laws of 1873 or the 1879 tariff reform.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming the Reichstag controlled the government: correct by noting it could debate and approve budgets but could not appoint or dismiss the Chancellor.
- Treating the Länder as powerless: correct by noting they kept monarchies, parliaments and control over policing, taxation and culture.
- Describing Germany as a simple unitary state: correct by explaining its federal structure and the reserved powers of the member states.
- Error: assuming the Reichstag had full parliamentary sovereignty. Correction: it could not appoint or dismiss the Chancellor; that power lay with the Kaiser.
- Error: treating regional divisions as insignificant after 1871. Correction: states like Bavaria retained separate armies and postal services, and particularism persisted.
- Error: overlooking social divisions beyond class, such as religious divisions. Correction: the Catholic Centre Party represented a significant confessional divide.
- Error: claiming the Kulturkampf succeeded in weakening the Catholic Centre Party. Correction: it increased Catholic resistance and the Centre Party's electoral support.
- Error: confusing the War in Sight crisis with an actual war. Correction: it was a diplomatic crisis; no war occurred, but it heightened tensions.
- Error: stating Bismarck broke with the National Liberals in 1878. Correction: the definitive break occurred in 1879 with the introduction of protectionist tariffs.