There are many reasons why Germany’s failure to establish a true Parliament from 1870-1913 was viewed as a threat by the European continent. To understand why this was viewed as such a threat, we need to explore different facets of German government and changing social and economic conditions.
In 1871 for the first time ever, Germany was unified and a new central government was created (Fleetwood 1). Two decades prior to this Germany began its rise as an industrial power of Europe. Due in part to the defeat of the French in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, Germany acquired the funding necessary to establish itself as an industrial power. Heavy industry and mechanical engineering fueled industrial development, as Germany used the 5 billion francs it received from France as war reparations to assist in this development (Fleetwood 2). Prussia was the primary economic power of Germany and the German Progress Part formed in 1861 became the strongest Prussian party. Starting at this point in time, the newly appointed Prime Minister, Otto von Bismarck began to govern Germany without parliamentary approval of the budget – something required by the constitution.
When France was defeated, the more democratic southern German states joined up with the northern states in a pique of enthusiasm. Once the southern states joined the North German Confederation, the German Empire was born. In January, 1871, King William I (a Prussian) was declared German Emperor (Fleetwood 1). As different factions jockeyed for power, William I decided to appoint Otto von Bismarck Chancellor of the united Germany. Bismarck’s style and worldview did little to ease tensions among powers across the European Continent. As Bismarck said with respect to rule: “The great questions of the day will not be settled by speeches and majority decision...but by blood and iron” (Chambers 787).
Germany’s rise to economic and ind
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