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Title : Weltpolitik
Weltpolitik IGerman Policy after Bismarck, 1890-96 Wilhelm II’s Chancellors
Following the fall of Bismarck Wilhelm II appointed a succession of Chancellors, none of whom had the vision or experience of Bismarck.
Their position was ultimately dependent on the goodwill of Wilhelm. The first, General Leo von Caprivi (Chancellor 1890 - 1894), was appointed in 1890 to oversee the legalisation of Germany’s socialists. He resigned in 1894 when the Kaiser, having made a volte-face in his policy, wanted him to introduce a Subversion Bill directed against socialists!
Caprivi’s successor, Prince Hohenlohe (Chancellor 1894 - 1900), was an elderly Bavarian aristocrat with a reputation for indecision and procrastination. Thus Hohenlohe became a figure-head and Bülow, his foreign minister, exerted a powerful influence under him. In time Bülow became Chancellor between 1900 – 1909.
He was a manipulator and self-seeker who pandered to the emperor. He became unpopular with the Kaiser following the Daily Telegraph affair, and was replaced by Bethmann-Hollweg, who was Chancellor between 1909 – 17. He was a hard-working and well-meaning bureaucrat lacking experience in foreign affairs, and ignorant of military issues.
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