The first presentation describes the Second Reich in some detail

1. I. Wilhelmine Germany
1870-1918
The Second Reich
Political and Diplomatic
History

2. Three Kaisers

3. Three Kaisers
• Wilhelm I (1797-1888) King of Prussia,
1861; Kaiser, 1871-1888

4. Three Kaisers
• Wilhelm I (1797-1888) King of Prussia,
1861; Kaiser, 1871-1888
• Friedrich III (1831-1888),”Unser Fritz”
K.u.K, (9 Mar-15 Jun)

5. Three Kaisers
• Wilhelm I (1797-1888) King of Prussia,
1861; Kaiser, 1871-1888
• Friedrich III (1831-1888),”Unser Fritz”
K.u.K, (9 Mar-15 Jun)
• Wilhelm II (1859-1941), King and Kaiser
(1888-1918)

6. Wilhelm I

7. Friedrich III

8. Wilhelm II

9. Nationalism
• One of the 19th century “isms”
• Nations are a new phenomenon,
artificial, and not part of the natural
order
• Nations are hard to define

10. Creation of the German Nation
• Holy Roman Empire Sanctum Romanum Imperium Heiliges
Römisches Reich--10th century-1806
• Der Deutsche Bund the German Confederation--1806-1866
• Nord Deutsche Bund --1866-1871
• Second German Reich--1871-1918

11. Holy Roman Empire, 1648
(lasted from 10th to 19th century)

12. German Confederation
(lasted from 1815-1866)

13. Wars of Unification

14. Wars of Unification
• Danish War (2nd Schleswig) 1864

15. Wars of Unification
• Danish War (2nd Schleswig) 1864

16. Wars of Unification
• Danish War (2nd Schleswig) 1864
• Austrian War (7 Weeks) 1866

17. Wars of Unification
• Danish War (2nd Schleswig) 1864
• Austrian War (7 Weeks) 1866

18. Wars of Unification
• Danish War (2nd Schleswig) 1864
• Austrian War (7 Weeks) 1866
• Franco-Prussian (German) 1870-71

19. Danish War

20. Austro-Prussian War

21. Prussian Generals at Königgrätz
• Bismarck is shown
at the top in his
white uniform
• War Minister Roon
is in the center

22. North German Confederation, 1867-71

23. North German Confederation, 1867-71

24. North German Confederation, 1867-71
• The red border following the Main
River indicates the territory of the
new German Confederacy. Only
Bavaria, Baden, Würtemberg, the
territory of the Grand Dutchy of
Hesse south of the Main, and, of
course, Austria remain unaligned
with Prussia.

25. North German Confederation, 1867-71
• The red border following the Main
River indicates the territory of the
new German Confederacy. Only
Bavaria, Baden, Würtemberg, the
territory of the Grand Dutchy of
Hesse south of the Main, and, of
course, Austria remain unaligned
with Prussia.

26. North German Confederation, 1867-71
• The red border following the Main
River indicates the territory of the
new German Confederacy. Only
Bavaria, Baden, Würtemberg, the
territory of the Grand Dutchy of
Hesse south of the Main, and, of
course, Austria remain unaligned
with Prussia.

27. North German Confederation, 1867-71
• The red border following the Main
River indicates the territory of the
new German Confederacy. Only
Bavaria, Baden, Würtemberg, the
territory of the Grand Dutchy of
Hesse south of the Main, and, of
course, Austria remain unaligned
with Prussia.
• To the victor go the spoils.

28. The Franco-German War
• Here we see
Wilhelm with his
generals. In this time
heads of state still
led their armies
personally.

29. The Early Stages
• In spite of brave
experienced and
generally well led
troops, the French
forces were unable
to match the
German ability to
maneuver and
concentrate

30. Sedan, the decisive battle 1 September 1870

31. Emperor Napoleon III
here seen as Bismarck’s prisoner

32. Emperor Napoleon III his capture crippled the French
here seen as Bismarck’s prisoner

33. Sedan, 1 Sept 1870
• This remarkable
photo of the
Brandenburg Gate
commemorates the
victory which made
French defeat
inevitable

34. The Siege of Paris
19 September 1870-28 January 1871

35. Reichsgründung
• On January 18, 1871 the Second Reich is proclaimed in the Hall of Mirrors of the Palais
de Versailles. Bismarck is the figure in white, appropriately at the center of the scene.

36. Member states of the German Empire (peach), with Prussia in blue

37. The Second German Reich, 1871-1918

38. Gründerzeit
Foundation Period
1871-73
• A period of rapid post-war economic expansion
• Railroads
• Urbanization>suburban real estate “bubble”
• French indemnity > expanded money supply
• Industrial expansion, especially iron, coal, and chemicals
• The so-called Second Industrial Revolution
• Stock market “bubble”
Result:
“The Long Depression”
1873-1895

39. Great Power GNP
Year Russia France Britain Germany Habsburg Italy
Empire
1870 22.9
Year
1870
Russia
22.9
16.8
France
16.8
19.6
Britain
19.6
16.6
Germany
16.6
11.3
Habsburg
Empire
11.3
8.2
Italy
8.2
1880 23.2
1880
1890
23.2
21.1 17.3 17.3
19.7 23.5
23.5
29.4 19.9
19.9
26.4 12.2
12.2
15.3 8.78.7
9.4
1890 21.1 19.7 29.4 26.4 15.3 9.4
GNP at market prices, in 1960 U.S. dollars & prices, in billions
Paul Kennedy, The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers. 1989, p. 219.

40. German Industrial Growth
Krupp canon factory

41. German Industrial Growth
• The Krupp canon factory is emblematic of
the heavy industry of the Ruhrgebeit (Ruhr
District)
• Alfred Krupp (1812-1887) began the great
expansion of the family business with
canons and railway wheels of superior
design
• He also advocated the breech loading
Dreyse “needle gun” against prevailing
military conservatism
• The coal resources of the Saargebeit
complemented Germany’s iron industry
Krupp canon factory • Scientific education spawned the industrial
chemical industry which led the world in
technology

42. Bismarck’s Domestic Policy
• Kulturkampf, 1870-78
• Anti-Socialist
measures, 1878-80s
• Germanization of
minorities, 1870 on
• duels with the
Reichstag
• “Reptile Fund”

43. Bismarck’s Foreign Policy
• Dreikaiserbund, 1872
• Congress of Berlin, 1878
• Dual Alliance, 1879
• Reinsurance Treaty, 1877
• Colonial policy
• Berlin Conference, 1884-85

44. 1888
Dreikaiser Jahr
• Frederick III, already
dying of throat
cancer, succeeds
his father
• Wilhelm II, m. 1881,
succeeds his father
after only 97 days

45. Dropping the Pilot
• Bismarck dismissed
• this Punch cartoon expressed
the surprise which greeted the
young Kaiser’s decision
• the hand which had guided
Prussia to her present key
position
• what sort of leader would the
young Kaiser prove to be?
• cartoon in Punch, Mar 1890

46. Who was Wilhelm II ? his first years

47. As first born, he was expected to reign and rule

48. As first born, he was expected to reign and rule
• compensation and concealment for his withered left arm

49. As first born, he was expected to reign and rule
• compensation and concealment for his withered left arm
• a painful device called “the machine” applied daily in childhood

50. As first born, he was expected to reign and rule
• compensation and concealment for his withered left arm
• a painful device called “the machine” applied daily in childhood
• tutor Georg Hinzpeter responsible for the inculcation of his Spartan values

51. As first born, he was expected to reign and rule
• compensation and concealment for his withered left arm
• a painful device called “the machine” applied daily in childhood
• tutor Georg Hinzpeter responsible for the inculcation of his Spartan values
• horsemanship so that he could command in battle like his father

52. As first born, he was expected to reign and rule
• compensation and concealment for his withered left arm
• a painful device called “the machine” applied daily in childhood
• tutor Georg Hinzpeter responsible for the inculcation of his Spartan values
• horsemanship so that he could command in battle like his father
• tours of Germany’s industrial might

53. As first born, he was expected to reign and rule
• compensation and concealment for his withered left arm
• a painful device called “the machine” applied daily in childhood
• tutor Georg Hinzpeter responsible for the inculcation of his Spartan values
• horsemanship so that he could command in battle like his father
• tours of Germany’s industrial might
• contempt for Liberals, fear of Socialists (SPD), hatred of Anarchists

54. Nuclear Family
• father, Crown Prince, brave
soldier but un-Prussian,
i.e., liberal
• mother, Queen Victoria’s eldest
daughter, strong willed
• three brothers, two dying in
childhood
• four sisters

55. Young Wilhelm and his
father visiting Queen
Victoria at Balmoral,
1862
from his earliest memories he
would both admire and envy the
British Empire
his grandfather the Kaiser and
Bismarck both tried to keep him
out of the “English camp”

56. Extended Family
• dynastic foreign policy
• Victoria’s grandsons ruled Britain,
Germany and Russia in 1914
• Wilhelm’s mixed feelings towards
mother, Victoria, “Uncle Bertie,”
the Royal Navy, the British
Empire
• pictured here with cousin George
in 1913

57. Wilhelm’s ruling style
• inconsistent, capricious
• emotional, “saber rattling”
• some even questioned his
sanity
• his ministers and generals
became more and more
uncomfortable with his “loose
canon” behavior

58. Object of ridicule
• instead of increasing respect
from his enemies, his bellicose
words and actions have the
opposite effect
• Kruger telegram, 1896
• “Hun” speech 27 Jul 1900
• Moroccan crisis, 1906
• Daily Telegraph Affair, 1908

59. The Road to World War I, 1890s-1914

60. The Road to World War I, 1890s-1914
• Militarism, Arms Race, & Mobilization Plans

61. The Road to World War I, 1890s-1914
• Militarism, Arms Race, & Mobilization Plans
• Economic & Colonialist Rivalries

62. The Road to World War I, 1890s-1914
• Militarism, Arms Race, & Mobilization Plans
• Economic & Colonialist Rivalries
• Alliance Systems and Secret Diplomacy

63. The Road to World War I, 1890s-1914
• Militarism, Arms Race, & Mobilization Plans
• Economic & Colonialist Rivalries
• Alliance Systems and Secret Diplomacy
• Minorities and Ethnic Nationalism

64. Militarism
• Arms Race
• Mobilization Plans
• Army Organization and Training
• Public acceptance of War as not only legitimate but positively beneficial

65. Dreadnoughts most significant factor of the
the Anglo-German Naval Race arms race

67. Armored Cruiser Moltke postcard from 1910

68. Considered the best due to
from small arms to siege canons
their hydraulic recoil dampeners

69. The Schlieffen Plan an unforgiving timetable

70. Economic and Colonialist Rivalries
• the Industrial Revolution entered a second stage, spread eastward, intensified
• colonial rivalries created a new field for competition
• America busy “winning the West” until 1898
• Russia expands eastward and southeast toward British India
• steam powered ships require coaling stations

71. Imperialism, the
highest stage of
capitalism --VI Lenin
• the scramble for what was left
• Italy & Germany, latecomers
•Africa--Cape to Cairo RR,
Fashoda, Krueger telegram, Boer
War,1st & 2nd Moroccan crises
•Berlin to Baghdad RR
•Asia

73. Alliance Systems and Secret Diplomacy
• the escalation of Austria’s quarrel with Serbia in 1914 to a world war in only
twelve days, was clearly the result of the two rival alliance systems
• Wilson’s First Point: Open covenants of peace, openly arrived at, after which
there shall be no private international understandings of any kind but diplomacy
shall proceed always frankly and in the public view. aimed at removing the
suspicion, paranoia, and hostility which had characterized the prewar diplomatic
scene

74. Alliance systems --some secret, some public

75. France, “Marianne”
cartoon from the 1890s
weeps, she feels isolated

76. The Nationalities Question

77. The Nationalities Question
• nationalism increased in the nineteenth century
• in multinational Russian, Habsburg, and Ottoman empires, minorities sought
independence or autonomy
• once some broke away, they sought to incorporate fellow nationals
• all this fed the level of violence and “propaganda of the deed,”
i.e., assassinations

78. the Balkans
once European Turkey, now becoming “the tinderbox of Europe”

79. Germans, 35% in the Austrian half of the Dual
Monarchy!

80. Treaty of Berlin, 1878 Ottoman Imperial Decline

81. Before the Second
Balkan War, 1913

82. After the Second
Balkan War

83. Sarajevo
Franz Ferdinand & Sophie shot
28 June 1914

84. Peace or War?

85. Peace or War?
• crisis management in Vienna
and Berlin

86. Peace or War?
• crisis management in Vienna
and Berlin
• ultimatum to Serbia, 23 July

87. Peace or War?
• crisis management in Vienna
and Berlin
• ultimatum to Serbia, 23 July
• twelve day diplomatic and
military struggle

88. Peace or War?
• crisis management in Vienna
and Berlin
• ultimatum to Serbia, 23 July
• twelve day diplomatic and
military struggle
• by 4 August, all the major
European Powers except Italy
are at war

89. Peace or War?
• crisis management in Vienna
and Berlin
• ultimatum to Serbia, 23 July
• twelve day diplomatic and
military struggle
• by 4 August, all the major
European Powers except Italy
are at war

90. Germania
August 1914
• incredible patriotism and
euphoria greeted the outbreak
• not just in Germany but in all the
belligerent nations
• this spirit was remembered in
later years with irony and
sadness

91. Crowd in Munich cheers war’s
2 August 1914
outbreak, Hitler among them

92. The Spirit of Langemarck
Ypres seen in the distance
October 1914

93. Stalemate in West
• by November, 1914 the Western
Front had settled into trenches
• efforts by both sides to make
gains here and on other fronts
were costly and indecisive
• peace initiatives made no
progress
• the world was stunned at the
human cost of modern warfare

94. Verdun,1916 French trench

95. On the other hand,
On the Eastern Front,
against Russia

96. the dread “Russian Steamroller”
August, 1914
advanced into Prussia

97. Until the battle of Tannenberg stopped it--
17 August-2 September
virtually destroying the Russian Second Army Reichsehrenmal

98. Interior view of the mass grave and
memorial to Tannenberg’s “Gefallenen”
Hindenburg will be buried here in 1934

99. Paul v. Hindenburg,
1847-2 Aug 1934
•remember this man
• long, undistinguished Prussian army
career, retired, 1913
• recalled in 1914, victor of Tannenberg
• appointed supreme commander, 1916
• avoided blame for defeat
• elected president in 1925

100. 1915
Oberste Kriegsherr
Wm II & Hindenburg,
victor of Tannenberg
For good or ill, “Supreme
Warlord” Wilhelm identifies
himself with the course of the war
Notice the concealed left arm

101. The War at Sea
Above and beneath the waves

102. British Grand Fleet
Jutland/Skaggerak 31 May 1916
neutralizes Germany’s

103. U-boat retaliation would
April, 1917
bring America in

104. It seemed that both
sides were intent on
destroying the world
cartoon by Albert Hahn, Dutch
artist. Notice the small figures
representing neutral countries like
the Netherlands

105. New Years toast, 1917 Leendert Jordaan, NL artist

106. Unprecedented casualties Not numbers, human beings

107. Unprecedented casualties Not numbers, human beings

108. Wilhelm had so
publicized his role as
war leader that now he
had to take the blame
cartoon by Dutch artist, Louis
Raemakers

109. Albrecht Dürer’s,
“Knight, Death, and
the Devil” (1513)
Not a very favorable comparison
for the Supreme Warlord!

110. Hindenburg, Wilhelm II,
1917
Ludendorff

111. German 1918
offensive brings the
greatest gains to date
freed from two-front war by the
Russian armistice, December,
1917

112. But America’s arrival
tips the scale
1 million at the front, June
2 million, August
4 million, November

113. Hindenburg and Ludendorff told the
Supreme Warlord that further resistance here seen in happier times
was futile

114. Wilhelm Abdicates 9 November 1918

115. Exile here at Doorn, NL
Left without a word to his generals
Wilhelm dies, 1941

116. The triumphant Allied
negotiators pose by
the Compiegne
armistice train
Notice the absence of the
German negotiators. They will
become the “November
Criminals” of the German Right’s
“Backstab Legend” (Dolchstoss
Legende)

117. The Greatest “Crime”
of the “November
Criminals” would be
acceptance of the
Versailles Treaty
The new Weimar Republic would
never be able to shake off the
critics from both Right and Left
for signing. The only question was
which would bring it down

118. Humiliation repaid.
Germany would be
required to sign the treaty
in the same hall where the
Second Reich was
proclaimed.