starter activity

Study the map on p.4 and list the changes you notice between Source 1B (Germany before 1871) and Source 1A (Germany, 1871-1918)

ChangesChanges

German is a unified country – German is a unified country – principalities like Prussia & Bavaria are principalities like Prussia & Bavaria are united into single German countryunited into single German country

Growth of German armyGrowth of German army Seizure of additional territory – Alsace-Seizure of additional territory – Alsace-

Lorraine, Franco-Prussian War (1870-1)Lorraine, Franco-Prussian War (1870-1) Industrial expansion – rivalling GB in Industrial expansion – rivalling GB in

production of coal, steel & ironproduction of coal, steel & iron Expansion of overseas trade – 400% Expansion of overseas trade – 400%

(1871-1914)(1871-1914)

What was life like What was life like in Germany under in Germany under

the Kaiser?the Kaiser?To assess conditions in Germany To assess conditions in Germany

before the Weimar Republicbefore the Weimar RepublicTo evaluate the leadership skills To evaluate the leadership skills

of Kaiser Wilhelmof Kaiser Wilhelm

Aims

Your taskYour task

Study source 2 on p.6. Which Study source 2 on p.6. Which adjective do you think best describes adjective do you think best describes German people?German people?

What do sources 3 & 4 tell us about What do sources 3 & 4 tell us about German society?German society?

Your task

Before you begin to read about the German Kaiser Wilhelm II (1888-1918, d.1941), what sort of personality do you think he has on the basis of this evidence alone? How have you come to these conclusions?

What was the Kaiser What was the Kaiser really like?really like?

Born in 1859, grandson of Queen Born in 1859, grandson of Queen VictoriaVictoria

Suspicious of his parents (Suspicious of his parents (surrounded surrounded palace when his father died of throat cancer because palace when his father died of throat cancer because he suspected his mother would smuggle out the willhe suspected his mother would smuggle out the will))

Withered arm – always keen to prove Withered arm – always keen to prove himself physicallyhimself physically

Possibly suffered brain damage at birth Possibly suffered brain damage at birth ((unable to concentrate on business of govt.)unable to concentrate on business of govt.)

Loved military displayLoved military display

Your taskYour task

Read through the sources and decide Read through the sources and decide whether the Kaiser demonstrated the whether the Kaiser demonstrated the necessary leadership skills to rule Germany necessary leadership skills to rule Germany effectively. Give him a mark out of 5 against effectively. Give him a mark out of 5 against the following criteria and choose a short the following criteria and choose a short quote or fact to support your judgement:quote or fact to support your judgement: Takes advice from ministersTakes advice from ministers Provides strong leadershipProvides strong leadership Is a good decision-makerIs a good decision-maker Is popularIs popular Is reliableIs reliable

HomeworkHomework

Imagine you have been asked to Imagine you have been asked to write a travel guide for Germany in write a travel guide for Germany in the early 1900s. Include the the early 1900s. Include the following points: recent history, following points: recent history, German people and government of German people and government of the Kaiser. You must be as positive the Kaiser. You must be as positive as you can.as you can.

Extension taskExtension task

Produce a short radio advert (30secs.) Produce a short radio advert (30secs.) that promotes the advantages of living and that promotes the advantages of living and working in Germany and highlights the working in Germany and highlights the positive qualities of Kaiser Wilhelm as a positive qualities of Kaiser Wilhelm as a leader.leader.

You can find out more about the Kaiser You can find out more about the Kaiser and Germany in this period here: and Germany in this period here: http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWhttp://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWkaiser.htmWkaiser.htm