New German Empire (1871):After unification, Germany became an empire with the Kaiser (Emperor) holding most power. Prussia made up two-thirds of the land and population, so it dominated the new state.
Role of Bismarck: As Chancellor, Bismarck focused on keeping the empire stable and preventing groups he saw as dangerous, like Catholics and socialists, from gaining influence.
Consolidation: Bismarck worked to unite the different German states under Prussian leadership. Laws, the army, and the civil service were heavily influenced by Prussia.
Kulturkampf (1871–78): Bismarck feared Catholics might be more loyal to the Pope than to Germany. He introduced strict laws against the Catholic Church, such as controlling schools and expelling Jesuits.
Catholic resistance: The Kulturkampf backfired. Catholics rallied together, and the Catholic Centre Party grew stronger in elections, forcing Bismarck to back down by the late 1870s.
Anti-Socialist Laws (1878): Bismarck feared socialism would turn workers against the empire. He banned socialist meetings, newspapers, and organizations.
Welfare policies: To win over workers, Bismarck introduced the world’s first social welfare laws, including sickness insurance (1883), accident insurance (1884), and old-age pensions (1889).
Prussia’s dominance: Prussia’s king was the German Emperor, and Prussian officials controlled the army and foreign policy. Southern German states had limited independence.
Reichstag’s limits: The parliament (Reichstag) was elected by men over 25, but it had little real power. Bismarck and the Kaiser could ignore it when they chose.
By 1890: Germany was united under Prussian rule, but tensions remained. Catholics, socialists, and national minorities (like Poles and Danes) often felt excluded from Bismarck’s vision of the empire.
Common Mistake
Assuming the Kulturkampf succeeded: In reality, it strengthened Catholic political unity rather than weakening it.
Forgetting Bismarck’s mix of repression and reform: He tried to crush socialism but also passed welfare laws to win workers’ support.
Exam technique
Show contrasts: Point out how Bismarck’s policies often had the opposite effect of what he wanted (example: Kulturkampf).
Always link to Prussia’s dominance: Stress how Prussia shaped politics, the army, and the constitution in the new empire.
Active recall
Assess the impact of Bismarck’s domestic policies on German unity between 1871 and 1890.
How far did Bismarck succeed in limiting the influence of Catholics and socialists in Germany?
To what extent was the German Empire (1871–1890) a Prussian-dominated state?