German Nationalism: Bismarck's Fall from Power

PowerPoint (with 6 slides) and two Word Documents that examines the succession of Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1888 and Bismarck’s fall from power in 1890.

Activities include

• Reading and comprehension exercise in which pupils consider the challenges the Hohenzollern succession posed to Bismarck in 1888.
• Source analysis exercise to establish the personality of Kaiser Wilhelm II.
• Reading, comprehension and highlighting exercise to establish reasons for, and evidence of, Wilhelm and Bismarck’s antagonistic relationship.
• Discussion on who was more responsible for Bismarck’s fall - the Iron Chancellor or the new Kaiser?
• Sorting grid on Bismarck’s legacy - successes and failures of his career.
• Plenary discussion on whether Bismarck was more successful before or after 1871.

Designed for the teaching of OCR History Y314 The Development of German Nationalism 1789-1919.
Lesson Length: 1hr depending on pace.

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