Page 33 - All About History - Issue 54-17
P. 33
Why Blame the Kaiser?
HOW THE REICH WAS RUN
What was the kaiser’s role in German politics?
T THE KAISER
T The kaiser’s role was vague a
role was vague and
ambiguous, allowing Wilhelm to usually
get his way. The kaiser alone had the
power to interpret the constitution and,
as head of the army, had control over
foreign policy. He could declare martial
law as well as dismiss or appoint the
Reichstag and chancellor.
MILITARY
Article 63 of the constitution stated that
the army was answerable to the emperor,
Wilhelm was gradually stripped of his
decision making powers during the war but Article 60 declared they were
subordinate to the Reichstag, leading to
tensions between the two. Army Bills
starting in 1892 expanded the forces
significantly, while a new Army League
began producing propaganda to convince
the public of the merits of a strong army,
whatever the cost.
THE CHANCELLOR
As the premier of Germany, the
chancellor could technically be appointed
by the parliament, but this rarely
happened. The chancellor did not need
to command the majority of either house.
Bismarck, as architect of the constitution,
manipulated the void between parliament
Relations with Britain were also strained by and monarch to ensure that he came out
the death of Queen Victoria, who was Wilhelm’s on top until Wilhelm forced him to resign.
grandmother. Wilhelm had adored Victoria and she
had been able to handle his fiery temperament, THE BUNDESRAT
but her death brought his uncle, Edward VII, to the Germany’s political system was complex x
throne, who the kaiser loathed. because it was designed to incorporate e
Wilhelm also did Anglo-German relations no all 25 of the principalities and kingdoms s
favours when he became embroiled in a scandal that formed the empire, but, in reality,
involving the British newspaper The Daily Prussia dominated. In the powerful
Telegraph. Wilhelm gave an interview to his friend upper house, the Bundesrat (or
Colonel Edward James Montagu-Stuart-Wortley in Federal Council), there were 58 votes.
1908. “You English [are]mad as March hares,” he Prussia had 17 and Bavaria had six,
began. “What has come over you that you are so while Sachse and Württemberg had
completely given over to suspicions quite unworthy four. The rest were shared out among
of a great nation?” He continued. the smaller kingdoms, each having just
“The prevailing sentiment among large sections one vote on average.
of the middle and lower classes of my own people is
not friendly to England.”
The interview increased the suspicion in Britain THE REICHSTAG
that he was scheming against them, while back The lower house was the only German
home there was a sense that Wilhelm had embarked institution that was democratically
on personal rule, a major turning point in his elected. Using single member
abandonment of the political system in favour of the constituencies, there were 397 seats. The
military. There can be little doubt that the kaiser’s Reichstag could introduce new laws and
antagonistic policies towards Britain heightened vote on them, but it was the weakest of
tensions in the lead up to 1914 and were motivated the two houses and, unlike the British
by his own personal grievances. system, the chancellor and the executive
did not need to command a majority
GUILTY
VERDICT: here — only the confidence of the kaiser.
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