Pre-war Industrialisation in Germany (AQA GCSE History)
Revision Note
Written by: Zoe Wade
Reviewed by: Natasha Smith
How industrialised was Europe by the 1900s? - Summary
By the 1900s, Europe had become quite industrialised. However, different countries developed at different rates.
Britain was the leader in industrialisation and had been the first country to experience the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century. By 1900, Britain had a very strong industrial economy, with many factories, railways, and coal mines. Britain also had a powerful navy and extensive overseas trade networks, allowing it to export products all over the world. This made Britain one of the wealthiest and most advanced countries in Europe.
France was also industrialised by 1900, but not as much as Britain. France still had a larger rural population. Many people continued to work in farming compared to Britain. France's economy did not rely as much on heavy industry. Instead, it was known for luxury goods and fashion. Despite this, France was still considered a major industrial power in Europe.
Russia was the least industrialised of Germany's neighbours. By 1900, most of its population lived in rural areas and worked in agriculture. While some factories and railways were being built around cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia was far behind Britain and France in terms of industrial development. The Russian government tried to encourage industrial growth, but the process was slow, and many people lived in poverty.
What is industrialisation?
Industrialisation is the process of changing the economy from an agricultural to an industrial one
An agricultural economy
Traditionally, all countries made money through agriculture
Countries had certain crops that they could grow
For example, Germany had the perfect climate to grow turnips
Countries would export their crops across the world
The economy relied upon agriculture. If there were issues with growing crops, it caused significant economic issues
For example, in 1916-1917, Germany experienced the Turnip Winter where all there was to eat was turnips. This affected its ability to trade
An industrial economy
During the 18th and 19th centuries, many countries industrialised
Countries switched their focus from agriculture to manufacturing goods in factories
Industrial economies seemed to be more reliable and less dependent on external factors, such as weather
People moved from the countryside to towns to work in factories
In the early 1900s, industrialisation relied upon empires
European powers gained precious raw materials like rubber from their overseas colonies
The raw materials were transported from colonies to factories in Europe
European powers sold their manufactured goods (for example, tyres) across the world, often to their colonies
The growth of industry in pre-war Germany
After unification, Germany industrialised rapidly
By 1914, Germany had one of the most industrialised economies in Europe
Key aspects of German industry
Examiner Tips and Tricks
To remember the areas of industry that Germany dominated, use the acronym HEC:
Heavy
Electrical
Chemical
The impact of industrialisation on German society
Industrialisation had a significant impact on German society
The working classes
The working classes became the largest social group in Germany
The working classes could have a lot of power if they united
The only way that working-class men could express their political views was through voting in elections to the Reichstag
The government kept the Reichstag relatively weak with little influence on policymaking
By 1910, 60% of Germans lived in towns and cities
Towns and cities became over-crowded
This led to poor living and working conditions for the working classes
The middle and upper classes
People who had businesses profited from industrialisation
Some factory owners and businessmen became very rich in this period
Rich business owners became powerful and influential in German society
The Kaiser and the government worried about the social effects of industrialisation
Worked Example
Read Interpretations A and B.
How does Interpretation B differ from Interpretation A about the impacts of industrialisation on Germany?
Explain your answer based on what it says in Interpretations A and B.
[4 marks]
Interpretation A - An excerpt written by Edwin Redslob, in his book 'From Weimar to Europe. Experiences and Thoughts', published in 1972.
Redslob grew up in Weimar during the industrial development of Germany. In this account, he talks about his first experience with a telephone.
'...the bank clerk showed me the new invention and lifted me onto a chair in order to make a phone call. But I did not know whom to call or what to say. So he put me through to the hotel “Zum Elefanten,” instructing me to simply ask whether Director Müller from Berlin had already arrived and surely the porter would give me an answer, allowing me to hear his voice from the distance. I was overwhelmed with astonishment and delight at this incredible occurrence.'
Interpretation B - An account written in 1927 by Karl Scheffler. It focuses on the industrial changes that took place in a small village near Lübeck, Northern Germany
Scheffler was a German art critic and publicist who witnessed these changes first-hand.
'They were droves of workers—the kind who differ from rural and skilled tradesmen at first sight... Poor families lived there side by side in squalor, without any comfort; an unkempt, quickly dilapidating backyard adjoined directly... The men were not brought up in the tradition of any particular occupation, the women were not housewives and mothers, and the children were little vagabonds who stole fruit from the gardens and trampled on the grain in the fields.'
Answer:
Interpretation A highlights the positive impacts of industrialisation on Germany as it states "I was overwhelmed with astonishment and delight at this incredible occurrence" (1). By the 1900s, Germany was one of the most industrialised economies in Europe and specialised in electrical goods, like the telephone (1).
Interpretation B differs because it shows the negative impacts of industrialisation. B states that industrial workers "lived there side by side in squalor, without any comfort" (1). By 1910, 60% of Germans lived in towns and cities. Their living and working conditions were very bad (1).
Examiner Tips and Tricks
To answer a "How are the interpretations different" question well, you need to:
identify a clear difference between the two interpretations
include a short quote or summary from each interpretation, highlighting their differences
explain how they are different
Our exam skills pages give further guidance and advice on comparing interpretations questions
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