Weimar and Nazi Germany Topic Summaries

The growth of socialism

GCSE > History > WJEC > GCSE History: Weimar and Nazi Germany (1890-1945) > Imperial German Empire (1871–1918) > The growth of socialism
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Key Terms
  • Wealthy landowners and noble army officers held significant influence with the Kaiser and aimed to maintain their power amid social changes.
  • Many factories and mine workers faced low wages, poor working conditions, and high food prices, leading to increased union membership and strikes to demand better conditions.
  • A growing number of workers supported the Social Democratic Party (SPD), which promoted socialist ideals like the equal sharing of power and wealth, and pursued social reforms. The SDP became the largest party in the Reichstag by 1912.
  • Many conservative elites feared socialism, believing it threatened traditional authority and the monarchy.
  • While most socialists sought reforms, some wanted a revolution to overthrow the Kaiser and establish worker-led councils, making socialism a significant challenge to the government.

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