Germany as One Room Two

Economic Growth

After the Franco-Prussian War, France had to pay reparations for the damages caused. This money allowed  Germany to rebuild the destruction cause by the war as well as improve the country. They used the money to build businesses around Germany.

Another thing leaders in Germany used the money for is to build railroads connecting the 25 German states.  This allowed the states to transfer utilities faster between the combined territories and strengthen the country.

Within a short time after the railroads were build, Germany flourished wish economic power.  Steel factories and coal mines appeared in many of the major cities around Germany.

As the factory number increased, some German socialists protested against the conditions in the factories. They wanted the state to control all of the industry. Bismarck, in an attempt to quiet them, blamed them for two assassination attempts on the emperor.

Bismarck tried to lead the people of Germany away from socialism by giving them his own reforms. He gave the people benefits such as health, accident, old age, and disability.

Wilhelm II

Wilhelm II and Bismarck had certain disagreements.  Through stopping the expansion of the borders to alliances with many countries to cut off France's power Wilhelm II fired Bismarck. Wilhelm continued to create more alliances with European countries and went on to be one of the most powerful military powers of their time.