German Society during the Second Reich was dominated by the middle classes and the aristocracy. Whilst there was Universal Suffrage for men aged above 25 the real political power was very firmly in the hands of the nobility.
Urbanisation and it’s impact on German Society in the Second Reich
Economic prosperity and growth led to increased urbanisation within Germany, 60% of the populace lived in towns and cities by 1910. This led to the emergence of a stronger socialist movement during the latter stages of the 19th century, though this was controlled initially by Bismarck via the introduction of welfare legislation and later through anti-socialist legislation. Much of Germany could be considered to have a military tradition at this time. The Military was of great importance to the Second Reich throughout its inception and was much loved by many of those with political power, particularly the Prussian aristocracy.
German Election Results in the Second Reich
Generally speaking, the Second Reich was therefore a conservative society, as illustrated by these electoral results:
| Party | 1887 | 1890 | 1893 | 1898 | 1903 | 1907 | 1912 |
| German conservatives | 80 | 73 | 72 | 56 | 54 | 60 | 43 |
| Free conservatives | 41 | 20 | 28 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 14 |
| National Liberals | 99 | 42 | 53 | 46 | 51 | 54 | 45 |
| Centre | 98 | 106 | 96 | 102 | 100 | 105 | 91 |
| Left Liberals | 32 | 76 | 48 | 49 | 36 | 49 | 42 |
| Social Democrats | 11 | 35 | 44 | 56 | 81 | 43 | 110 |
| Minorities | 33 | 38 | 35 | 34 | 32 | 29 | 33 |
| Right Wing Splinter Parties | 3 | 7 | 21 | 31 | 22 | 33 | 19 |
| Total | 397 | 397 | 397 | 397 | 397 | 397 | 397 |
| Source: European History for AS Level, Edited by Steve Lancaster, Causeway Press. | |||||||
Germany 1919 – 1945 Links
The Second Reich
Unification of Germany – Political systems within the Second Reich – German Society during the Second Reich – Collapse of the Second Reich
Weimar Republic
Interim Government – Founding of the Weimar Republic – Impact of the First World War on Germany – The Treaty of Versailles and its impact on Germany – Weimar Constitution1919-1923: Years of Crisis? – Spartacist Uprising – Kapp Putsch – Reichsbanner Schwarz-Rot-Gold – Reparations – Hyperinflation in Germany, 1923 – 1924-1928: A Golden Era? – 1925 Presidential Election – Gustav Stresemann – German Foreign Relations 1919-1932 – Germany in the Great Depression – Failings of the Weimar Republic – Dada Movement
Rise of the Nazi Party
The Munich Putsch – Did the Economic Crisis of 1923 help the Nazi’s? – Origins of the Nazi Party – Rise of the Nazi Party
Nazi Germany
Totalitarian Regime in Nazi Germany – How did Hitler consolidate power? – Mein Kampf – Nazi methods of control – Opposition to the Nazi Regime – Organisation of the Nazi Party – Fuhrerprinzip – Kristallnacht – Youth and Education – Goering and the 2nd 4 Year Plan – Anti-Jewish Boycott, 1933 – Nazi Anti-Semitism – DAF (The German Labour Front) – Propaganda in Germany 1919-39 – Economic Policy of the Nazi Party – Kreisau Circle – The Confessing Church – Catholic Church – Edelweiss Pirates
Biographies
Ludwig Beck – Dietrich Bonhoeffer – Bishop Clemens von Galen – Carl Goerdeler – Robert Ley – Helmuth von Moltke – Martin Niemoller – Erwin Rommel – Hjalmar Schacht – Sophie Scholl – Albert Speer – Claus von Stauffenberg – Fritz Todt