Bismarck and socialism

• in 1869 Babel and Liebknect founded the Social Democratic Workers' Party
• in 1875, moderate and revolutionary socialists united to form Social Democratic Party (SPD)
• their main aim was to overthrow whoever was in power
• but this new party called for nationalisation of banks, coal mines, industry and general social equality

SOCIALIST THREAT:

• Bismarck was very hostile towards socialists
• described them as a little better than criminals
• he had overestimated them, they were not that big of a threat
• in 1877, they increased to 10 seats in Reichstag with over 500,000 votes

ASSASSINATION ATTEMPTS:

• in 1876, Bismarck tried and failed to pass a bill that would prevent socialist propaganda
• May 1878 there was an assassination attempt on William I but Bismarck was unable to prove it was the socialists
• so the National Liberals refused any of Bismarcks anti-socialist bills
• but after a second attempt, Bismarck made it seem that it the Liberals had initially passed a bill against the socialsts, this wouldn't have happened
• so he dissolved the Reichstag
• this move succeeded as the…