Germany industrialized rapidly during the 19th century, and towards the end of it also went through a severe recession, as well as population growth.
Politically, 1910 was a difficult year, because the country struggled to modernize although its ruler, Kaiser (Emperor) Wilhelm II, wanted to have absolute power, the way medieval/Renaissance rulers once had. Therefore, he dismissed the High Chancellor, Bismarck (a great statesman who'd unified the country) to rule as he pleased. After Germany lost the war (1918), Wilhelm abdicated, leaving the country to the SDP, the Social-Democratic Party. The Germans never forgot how Wilhelm abandoned them, and today he is considered a whimsical, weak ruler.
Pic: 1855 industrialized Dusseldorf
No comments:
Post a Comment