The 2nd Reich in Germany Rivaled Britain as Superpower of Europe

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In 1871 the nation of Germany formed under the 2nd Reich. Soon after this German nation would begin rivaling the superpowers in Europe of the time. By the beginning of the 20th century, Germany under the leadership of its kaiser would challenge the British Empire for the top power in Europe. In 1914 Germany would throw its self into a war which would end in chaos for its people. The following years after brought hardships that would strike the new Weimar Republic, creating a breading ground for extremists groups. These extremist groups came from both ends of the political spectrum, and were able to push their ideas based on the fears of the middle and upper class, and the strife of the down and out working class. The party that would benefit the most from the events occurring from 1871 to 1933 was the NSDAP lead by a charismatic Adolf Hitler.
The Second Reich was run by the Kaiser and a weak bicameral parliament. Under the constitution the Kaiser controlled the military, dealt with foreign policy and had the ability to declare martial law. The government also centralized the economy during the Second Reich by setting standards for industrial processes and by controlling railways. The government also set interest free loans for those who established businesses that were in the governments interests. Although these actions tended to help the aristocracy in Germany, the average German was loyal to the governmental authority of the Second Reich. The average German during the time supported the old guard government. The average German also supported their governmental authority because they were under a paternalistic system. Loyalty to the crown was rewarded with unemployment security, social security, workmans compensation, and un...

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...t of Germany had antisemitic views. He claimed liberal antisemitism viewed Jews as seperatists, conservatives hated their unrest, and socialist viewed them as the head of capitalism. Hitler was able to mix all three of these views into one view of racial antisemitism. The Germans had all ready been under an authoritarian government and began to lean toward an anti-republic as a whole. National pride and Glory along with militarism was also instilled in Germans during the Second Reich.
Nazis were able to take power by expressing views that already existed and taking them to extremes. The Second Reich's paternalism, militarism, nationalism and racial views set a bar for Germans. The failure of the policies in these categories during the Weimar Republic brought call for change. The calls for change enabled the Nazi party led by the charismatic Hitler to gain power.

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