In 1888, Emperor Wilhelm I died and Bismarck’s relationship with his successor, Friedrich III, was less friendly. Within 99 days, Friedrich III died to be replaced by his son, Wilhelm II. Differences of opinion with this young Emperor and Bismarck, both on a personal and political level caused Bismarck to resign in 1890. Some people say that political instability was caused by the clash between the power of the Emperor and the Chancellor; Wilhelm I and Bismarck worked together effectively for over a quarter of a century because they mainly held similar opinions. However, Wilhelm II struggled to work with Bismarck because of their differences, which prevented them from governing Germany successfully; this resulted in Bismarck offering his resignation. Wilhelm II and Bismarck only clashed over two issues; the treatment of Socialists and foreign policy. Both agreed on many issues, especially domestic policy. It is important to recognise that this situation was unique to Germany because other countries did not have this system of leadership or the type of power installed in a few people; examples are of France and Great Britain.
With the fall of Bismarck, Wilhelm II resolved to be his own chancellor but he was to demonstrate a lack of the application and patience needed for the continuous exercise of power. Domestic politics in Germany, under Wilhelm II, became fluid and unpredictable and the complicated system of Government created by Bismarck worked less smoothly under his successors. This tangled political system contributed to the political instability that we see in Germany at this time. Other European countries held firm political systems which did not crumble depending on the holder of the position. An example is with Great Britain; Queen Victoria did not force Lord Salisbury to resign as Prime Minister, so that she could hold both positions. This kind of political instability was unique to Germany in the sense that other countries did not experience this sort of insecurity. This merge of power caused people to be confused about where real authority lay in Germany.
Wilhelm II appointed his first Chancellor in 1890 and only served four years. Count Leo von Caprivi was appointed to legalise Socialism in Germany, which had been banned under Bismarck. However, he was forced to resign when Wilhelm II demanded he drafted measures against the very same party. This action not only shows the extent of the power that Wilhelm II had at that time but also how unstable the political system was if the same person supported an ideology and party and then went against it later. The next three chancellors all shared similar characteristics of being indecisive and having little experience. It would seem that the Constitution of Imperial Germany was designed by Bismarck and for Bismarck. It worked on the basis that the Chancellor and the Emperor worked together effectively, like Bismarck and Wilhelm I. However, when the Emperor and Chancellor clash, the flaws of the Constitution are highlighted and the instability surrounding it.
Despite Germany being politically unstable, it would seem that they weren’t economically unstable at all. In 1871 unified Germany had already shown sustained economic growth; coal, iron, heavy engineering and textiles were well established and production increased. It was clear that Germany was a respectable economic power; Great Britain also experienced this same growth in industrial power. New technology has been explored and exploited; the first transmission of electricity, the production of fertilisers, manufacturing cars and further development of precision equipment. The population had been steadily growing and urbanisation started to rise. This boost in the economy was not unique to Germany and was happening in other countries as well, mainly Great Britain. It is also clear that Germany was in a firm and stable position at this time, despite the occasional recession.
It was clear that Germany was politically unstable at the turn of the century, with the constitution perhaps being the biggest flaw in the political system. However, this flaw as not exposed until Emperor Wilhelm II and Chancellor Bismarck had to work together; the constitution was designed on the assumption that both the Emperor and Chancellor work effectively together. This was unique to Germany; no other country had this system, no other country was this politically unstable and no other country had a character similar to Bismarck in Germany. However, Germany economically stable and had overtaken Great Britain in becoming the leading industrial superpower; the population rose, technology advanced and production increased. It is fascinating to see two aspects of Germany at this time; a politically unstable Germany with few people knowing where real authority lay and an economically stable country with a booming economy.
