Bismarck Domestic Policy 1871 - 1890

William I was crowned Emperor of Germany and the Second Reich was created.

Has control of armed forces, appoint/ dismisses all ministers.

Has control of foreign affairs and can dismiss Reichstag if it is being uncooperative.

Represented states of the Empire, 58 members, power to change constitution, and if 14 delegates vote against a law it cannot pass.

Elected by universal male suffrage (over 25), budget, and its consent was need, but it could not initiate legislation. ALso it had no say in appointments or dismissals and it could be dissolved at any time.

Party wished to see a socialist state in Germany. Persecuted but received the largest number of votes from 1890 onwards. Very popular in the newly expanding towns. Stands for German Socialist Party.

Party represented Catholics and national minorities such as the Poles. It cut across class boundaries and drew support from all elements of German catholilc society.

(1871-1878) Bismark's attacks on German Catholic clergy.

Gov. abolished the Catholic section in the PRussian Ministry of CHurch Affairs and Prussian Criminal Code changed so they could arrest priests.

Catholic churches forced out of German schools.

1872 - the government trained and appointed the clergy instead of the church so they could control who goes into the church.

1874 - Clergy were exiled to remote islands and the most famous of which is the Island of Rügen.

Bismarck stopped attacking the German Catholic clergy because it was a political disaster and started attacking the rising social class.

(1878-1882) - agaomst tje German Socialist Party or SPD (the political party of the German working class.)

Two assasinations on Kaiser William I by SPD members. One was a plumber and the second was Carl Nobolin.