Sammlungspolitik
Encyclopedia
Sammlungspolitik is a domestic policy of Kaiser Wilhelm II during his rule in Germany
. It means 'bringing together policy', it aimed to unite the political parties and groups in favour of Weltpolitik (policy involving navy and colonial expansion) and also diminishing the SPD, a socialist party which, at the time, was thought of as a threat of socialism and consequently revolution.
The policy was a success up to 1909, when most parties supported Weltpolitik. However, in 1909 there was trouble with the navy's budget and money had to be raised for the navy. Instead of choosing to tax the rich, the government chose to increase sales tax (increase on the price of goods) which led to its sudden loss of support from parties like the Zentrum and the Liberals. In 1912 election, the SPD gained 112 seats, making it the largest party in the Reichstag.
. As Prussia was the largest state in the Empire, more Prussians were elected into the Bundesrat and these were mainly Junker. The Prussian Junkers held 17 seats in the Bundesrat and 14 votes were needed for a veto
. This gave them power in the Bundesrat
. They used this power to block reforms that did not benefit them and to protect the interests of agriculture
.
. The army used its influence to apply pressure on the Reichstag
to pass the army bills of 1912 to 1913.
as a means of securing markets for Germany's manufactures and sources of raw materials. Their fear of socialism bound them to Weltpolitik
as they hoped that the appeal to German nationalism would divert support from Socialism
.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. It means 'bringing together policy', it aimed to unite the political parties and groups in favour of Weltpolitik (policy involving navy and colonial expansion) and also diminishing the SPD, a socialist party which, at the time, was thought of as a threat of socialism and consequently revolution.
The policy was a success up to 1909, when most parties supported Weltpolitik. However, in 1909 there was trouble with the navy's budget and money had to be raised for the navy. Instead of choosing to tax the rich, the government chose to increase sales tax (increase on the price of goods) which led to its sudden loss of support from parties like the Zentrum and the Liberals. In 1912 election, the SPD gained 112 seats, making it the largest party in the Reichstag.
Structuralist
The Structuralist school of thought, led by Wehler (who also described Weltpolitik as the "manipulation process"), argued that Germany was not really controlled by the Kaiser but by the influence of four main groups in Germany. These influential groups are the Junkers (landowners), the army, industrialists and right wing pressure groups.Junkers
Junker influence had an institutional base in the Agrarian League (est. 1893). The Prussian electoral system favoured them and allowed them to control the government of PrussiaPrussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
. As Prussia was the largest state in the Empire, more Prussians were elected into the Bundesrat and these were mainly Junker. The Prussian Junkers held 17 seats in the Bundesrat and 14 votes were needed for a veto
Veto
A veto, Latin for "I forbid", is the power of an officer of the state to unilaterally stop an official action, especially enactment of a piece of legislation...
. This gave them power in the Bundesrat
Bundesrat
Bundesrat means federal council and may refer to:* Bundesrat of Germany* Federal Council of Austria* Swiss Federal Council...
. They used this power to block reforms that did not benefit them and to protect the interests of agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
.
Army
The Army League of 1912 was created to advance the interests of the army and the part of the economy dependent on it. They exploited this to get 'favours' and as the Kaiser was head of the army a position he took very seriously and was obsessed by them, he filled the court with generals. It has been suggested by historians that during 1914 the army leaders had more influence than the ChancellorChancellor
Chancellor is the title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the Cancellarii of Roman courts of justice—ushers who sat at the cancelli or lattice work screens of a basilica or law court, which separated the judge and counsel from the...
. The army used its influence to apply pressure on the Reichstag
Reichstag (German Empire)
The Reichstag was the parliament of the North German Confederation , and of the German Reich ....
to pass the army bills of 1912 to 1913.
Industrialists
The Pan German League of 1891 tried to gain support for Wilhelm's WeltpolitikWeltpolitik
The "Weltpolitik" strategy was adopted by Germany in the late 19th century, replacing the earlier "Realpolitik" approach.The start of this policy was signaled in 1897 with then Foreign Minister Bernhard von Bülow stating that Germany now pursued such a policy...
as a means of securing markets for Germany's manufactures and sources of raw materials. Their fear of socialism bound them to Weltpolitik
Weltpolitik
The "Weltpolitik" strategy was adopted by Germany in the late 19th century, replacing the earlier "Realpolitik" approach.The start of this policy was signaled in 1897 with then Foreign Minister Bernhard von Bülow stating that Germany now pursued such a policy...
as they hoped that the appeal to German nationalism would divert support from Socialism
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
.