How did Germany change between 1890 and the end of the First World War?
Kaiser Wilhelm II's rule, German industrialisation and growth, the rise of socialism, the impact of the First World War and the Kaiser's abdication in November 1918.
A focused answer to the first part of AQA's Germany period study, covering Kaiser Wilhelm II's autocratic rule, rapid industrial growth, the rise of socialism and the SPD, and the impact of the First World War leading to the abdication of the Kaiser in 1918.
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What this dot point is asking
This is the opening section of AQA's period study, Germany 1890 to 1945, examined on Paper 1. You need to understand Germany before democracy: the autocratic rule of Kaiser Wilhelm II, the country's rapid industrial rise, the growth of socialism that challenged him, and how the First World War destroyed his regime and led to his abdication in November 1918. The "importance" and narrative questions here often ask how and why Germany changed.
Kaiser Wilhelm II's rule
The Reichstag was elected by all adult men, which looked democratic, but it had little real power: it could not appoint or dismiss the Chancellor, who was responsible only to the Kaiser. Wilhelm was impulsive and militaristic, surrounding himself with Prussian generals and aristocrats (the Junkers). This created a fundamental tension that runs through the whole period study: a rapidly modernising economy and society governed by an old, autocratic political system.
Industrial growth and the rise of socialism
By 1914 Germany had overtaken Britain to lead Europe in coal, iron and steel, and dominated the new electrical and chemical industries (firms like Siemens, AEG and BASF). This created a huge urban working class concentrated in cities such as Berlin and the Ruhr.
The impact of the First World War
Wilhelm's aggressive Weltpolitik (world policy), his push for colonies and "a place in the sun", and the naval arms race with Britain heightened European tensions before 1914 and helped bring on the war.
The war then brought devastation at home. The British naval blockade caused severe food shortages, and around 750,000 Germans died of starvation and disease, especially in the "turnip winter" of 1916 to 1917. As military defeat loomed in 1918, morale collapsed.
The fall of the Kaiser is the bridge to the next dot point: the new democratic Weimar Republic was born out of defeat and revolution, which is why it was blamed for the armistice and the hated Treaty of Versailles.
Try this
Q1. Who held real power in Germany in 1890? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. Kaiser Wilhelm II, who controlled the army, foreign policy and the Chancellor.
Q2. Explain how industrial growth led to the rise of the SPD. [Short explanation]
- Cue. Rapid industrialisation created a large urban working class, which supported the socialist SPD, making it the largest Reichstag party by 1912.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of AQA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
AQA 20198 marksExplain the importance of the First World War for the fall of Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1918.Show worked answer →
The Paper 1 period study "importance" question (8 marks, AO1 and AO2). Markers reward explained consequences, not just description.
Build two or three developed points. The war caused a British naval blockade and severe food shortages (around 750,000 died of starvation and disease), which destroyed civilian morale and turned people against the Kaiser. Military defeat by autumn 1918 ended faith in the regime. The naval mutiny at Kiel sparked revolution and councils of workers and soldiers across Germany, making the Kaiser's position impossible.
Top band. Explain how each consequence led to the abdication on 9 November 1918, finishing with a short judgement on how decisive the war was. Use precise detail (dates, the blockade, Kiel).
AQA 20218 marksWrite an account of the ways in which Germany changed between 1890 and 1914.Show worked answer →
The Paper 1 narrative account question (8 marks). Reward a linked, analytical sequence.
Possible sequence. From 1890 Wilhelm II ruled as a near-autocrat after dismissing Bismarck, controlling the army and foreign policy. Rapid industrialisation made Germany the leading European producer of coal, steel and chemicals, which "in turn" created a huge urban working class. "As a result" the socialist SPD grew to become the largest party in the Reichstag by 1912, challenging the Kaiser's authority and exposing the tension between a modern economy and old autocratic politics.
Top band. Use connectives to show how economic change led to political change, ending on the situation by 1914.
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Sources & how we know this
- AQA GCSE History (8145) specification — AQA (2016)