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Question

Difficulty: MediumSocialist, Communist, and Reformist Reactions to Industrialization

Source: Otto von Bismarck, Chancellor of the German Empire, speech to the Reichstag (German parliament), 1884.

'The real grievance of the worker is the insecurity of his existence; he is not sure that he will always have work, he is not sure that he will always be healthy, and he foresees that he will one day be old and unfit for work. If he falls into poverty, even if only through illness, he is completely helpless... From the state’s point of view, it is necessary to help these people and to show them that the state is not merely an institution for the protection of the wealthy, but one that also serves their needs and interests.'

Based on the passage and your knowledge of world history, which of the following best explains the primary political motivation behind the social reforms described by Bismarck?

  1. A
    An application of Social Darwinist principles to ensure the physical fitness of the German empire's industrial labor force.
  2. B
    A response to pressure from Marxist labor unions that viewed government pensions as the ultimate goal of communism.
  3. A desire to undermine the appeal of revolutionary socialist parties by addressing the material grievances of the working class.Answer
  4. D
    A return to traditional mercantilist policies to protect domestic German manufacturers from foreign competition.

Answer

A desire to undermine the appeal of revolutionary socialist parties by addressing the material grievances of the working class.
The correct answer is correct because Otto von Bismarck introduced social welfare programs (such as health insurance, accident insurance, and old-age pensions) in the 1880s primarily as a state-led reformist strategy to combat the rise of the socialist movement, particularly the Social Democratic Party. By improving the material conditions of the working class, Bismarck hoped to gain their loyalty to the state and weaken their support for revolutionary Marxist ideas.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the source text to identify the author's primary concern.
The author (Bismarck) emphasizes the need for the state to provide support for workers in times of sickness, accident, and old age to demonstrate that the state serves their interests.
This establishes the reformist, state-led nature of the policy being discussed.
2
Situate the source within its historical context of late nineteenth-century Germany.
The late nineteenth century saw rapid industrialization in Germany, leading to a large working class and the rapid rise of socialist movements like the Social Democratic Party.
This identifies the political threat that the German state was trying to address.
3
Connect the state's welfare programs to Bismarck's political goals.
Bismarck sought to preempt socialist revolution and weaken the political appeal of radical parties by introducing moderate, state-led social reforms.
This confirms that the primary motivation was to counter revolutionary socialism, making the option addressing this goal the correct choice.

Key Concept

Socialist, Communist, and Reformist Reactions to Industrialization
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Topics

Socialist, Communist, and Reformist Reactions to Industrialization

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