Germany's Weltpolitik Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Germanys Weltpolitik - Essay Example tell against socialists Caprivis successor, Prince Hohenlohe (Chancellor 1894 -1900), was an elderly Bavarian aristocrat with a reputation for indecision and procrastination. therefrom Hohenlohe became a figure-head and Blow, his unknown minister, exerted a powerful influence under him. In time Blow became Chancellor between 1900 - 1909. He was a manipulator and self-seeker who pandered to the emperor. He became unpopular with the Kaiser following the Daily Telegraph affair, and was replaced by Bethmann-Hollweg, who was Chancellor between 1909 - 17. He was a hard-working and well-meaning bureaucrat lacking experience in foreign affairs, and ignorant of military issues.Caprivis adopted a more conciliatory attitude to previously hostile forces within Germany, such as the Centre caller and the Social Democrats. In 1891 with the backing of the Reichstag, he introduced the prohibition on Sunday working and limitations on child labour. He also refor med Germanys tariff polity - in a series a bilateral agreements with Austria-Hungary, Italy, Russia and others he negotiated a reduction of German tariffs on agricultural goods in return for reductions in foreign tariffs on German goods. However, this initiated a reaction. In 1893 the Agrarian League was formed it grew to a million members and acted as powerful pressure group for the Conservatives.earning the resentment of the army... eries a bilateral agreements with Austria-Hungary, Italy, Russia and others he negotiated a reduction of German tariffs on agricultural goods in return for reductions in foreign tariffs on German goods. However, this initiated a reaction. In 1893 the Agrarian League was formed it grew to a million members and acted as powerful pressure group for the Conservatives.In 1892 - 3 Caprivi also reduced conscription from 3 to 2 years in the Army Bill thusearning the resentment of the army. In 1894 Wilhelm II pressed Caprivi to draw up an anti-socialist Subver sion Bill Caprivi refused. Although he did dissuade Wilhelm II from adopting an even more authoritarian approach, he resigned.WeltpolitikThe aged Hohenlohe held the Chancellorship until 1900, but he was no match for courtand government intrigue. Policy was directed more by Blow, Tirpitz and Posadowsky-Wehner. In 1897 Admiral von Tirpitz was appointed navy secretary Count Posadowsky-Wehner as interior minister Blow as foreign secretary. A period of Weltpolitik was introduced - colonnial annexations, creation of economic spheres of influence, and expansion of the navy. The Kaiser wanted Germany to become a world power. There was a belief in social Darwinism and the unending postulate between nations.The peasantry and Mittlestand had become radicalised and many pressure groups formed- especially, the Pan-German League, which was anti-Socialist, racist, anti-Semitic andexpansionist. In 1898 Tripitz initiated the creation of the Navy League, with financialbacking from key industrialists . Membership rose to 1 million. The Navy Bills of 1898and 1900 were passed with substantial majorities.There was renewed political struggle within Germany over the renewal of Capriviscommercial treaties - the compromise Tariff