Political, economic and social condition of Germany in 1914

POLITICS

By 1912, German politics was dominated by mass parties such as the Centre and Social Democratic Party. Meanwhile, traditional parties such as the Progressives, Liberals and Conservatives declined. However, groups in the Reichstag which were more aggressive in terms of foreign policies emerged. Organisations included the Pan-German League, the Farmers League, the Colonial League and the Navy League. Mostly composed of the middle class and educated (except for the Farmers League), the groups aimed to influence expansionist policies.

Following Bismarck's Kulturkampf, the Social Democratic Party emerged. Led by Eduard Bernstein, the SDs were Marxists who advocated advancement of workers through legislation and economic regulation. Amidst Bismarck's moderate reforms, the Marxist movement gained popularity over the years. In 1890, the SD had 35 seats in the Reichstag. By 1914, they became the largest party in Germany.

In the 1912 election, the SPD won 34.8% of the Reichstag seats. In the Länder, SPD representatives occasionally cooperated with the Progressive and the Centres. While a number of southern states favoured the course of representative democracy, Prussian elites (Junkers) and military officials opposed the gradual democratisation of their own electoral system.

With the outbreak of WWI in 1914, the balance within the government gradually shifted to military leadership. The civilian government was tasked to provide military supplies.

As a result of a British naval blockade, the government had to secure supplies on the homefront. In addition to controlling prices, rationing was also introduced. In the winters of 1916 to 1918, the naval blockade was proven successful in paralysing supply in Germany.

Paul von Hindenburg

The most famous Junker in Imperial Germany was Otto von Bismarck. Meanwhile, Germany's future president Paul von Hindenburg was also born into a Junker family.

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Three-class voting system

Despite the introduction of democratic elections, Prussian representatives was able to dominate the Reichstag. Compared to the German electoral system, the Prussian counterpart was more rigid and limited to class. The three-class voting system gave the richest third of the population the privilege to vote 85% of the legislature. As a result, over representation in rural areas became common.

Aristocracy

By 1914, consular, civil service and the army were dominated by members of the nobility. In the diplomatic corps, only 11 of 122 were commoners (elite industrialists and bankers), while the highest military ranks were given to young aristocrats.

Middle Class

Unlike in France, Great Britain or the United States, the middle class gained less representation in the legislature.

Working class

The SPD became instrumental in Bismarck's creation of a welfare state.

Three-class system

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ECONOMY

During the second half of the 19th century, Germany underwent industrialisation in which agricultural production was replaced by modern industries including manufacturing and construction. At the time of German unification, industrialisation was further fuelled by Germany becoming the largest industrial economy in Europe.

Industrialisation led to improvement in infrastructure and weapons production. Germany increasingly assumed the form of a major imperial power.

Accompanied by rapid industrialisation, the German population doubled, especially in Berlin. By 1910, about 60% of Germans lived in cities such as Munich, Essen and Kiel. But despite industrialisation and changes in demographics, the social hierarchy in German society remained the same.

In addition to a doubled population, another consequence of the expanding industrial employment was the decrease in emigration. Instead of going abroad, many rural workers moved to industrial centres in Berlin and the Ruhr. In 1913, about 60% of Germany's GNP (gross national product) was from industry.

By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the German working class grew rapidly. By 1911, about 13.2 million workers were covered by Bismarck's social welfare policies.

Indstrial centre in Essen, 1890

Despite the advances in legislation, the majority of industrial workers, including Catholics, lacked political rights. As a result, many joined the revolutionary socialist party. In 1912, total union membership was 3.7 million, mostly affiliated with socialist unions. While industrialisation boosted particular sectors of the German economy, a huge percentage of traditional artisanal enterprises and small workshops were set aside.

Between 1878 and 1887, Bismarck initiated a series of economic policies which did not only affect the economy, but significantly influenced the political position of German elites. Bismarck's protective import and grain tariffs resulted in the formation of alliance between the landed elite, military, higher civil service and some major industrialists, which aimed to prevent further political liberalisation.

The influence of the Kingdom of Prussia on the making of the German Empire covered the structure of the military, political authority given that the King of Prussia was automatically the emperor of Imperial Germany, while the Chancellor was always the leader of the Bundestag (prime minister), dominated by Prussian representatives], industrial economy and landholdings and social hierarchy.

Map showing the Kingdom of Prussia within the German Empire (1971-1918)