A German Miscellany, 1810-1910 Quiz

Answer: True

Wilhelm von Humboldt (1767-1835), the key founder of the new university, was a scholar of note and it was his aim to encourage original research. However, an unintended effect of this innovation (imitated by the 1840s at all the German and Austrian universities) was to cheapen the doctorate, especially as it was a classified degree (unlike in many other countries). Many doctorates obtained simply 'rite' (Latin, best translated as 'by virtue of having performed the necessary exercises') were characterized by insubstantial dissertations.

Nevertheless, by the last quarter of the nineteenth century the German universities had become an academic and scientific magnet attracting students from many foreign countries.

Answer: The Taler (Thaler)

The Taler was a duodecimal, three-column currency. Originally there were 12 Pfennigs to the Groschen and 24 Groschen to the Thaler. In 1821 this was changed to 12 Pfennigs to the Groschen and 30 Groschen to the Thaler. In 1874 the Mark was adopted as the new German national currency. (The Thaler then was divided into to 3 Marks, and the Mark into 100 Pfennigs).

In Southern Germany and Austria the main currency was the Gulden. The Schilling was used in Hamburg, Oldenburg and Mecklenburg.

Before 1857 the Mark was a carefully preserved piece of silver weighing 533.2 g kept at Cologne and the higher demoninatations of silver coins throughout the German states had to be inscribed with their value in relation to the Cologne Mark. For example, the Taler coin was inscribed 'XIV EINE MARK' - '14 to the Mark'.

Answer: Hanover

In 1837 Ernest Augustus Duke of Cumberland, a hardline reactionary, became King of Hanover following the death of his elder brother, William I of Hanover and William IV of the United Kingdom. He suspended the constitution, partly in order to pay off his debts in Britain with taxes raised from Hanover. Seven professors at the University of Goettingen, including the brothers Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm, refused to take a new oath of loyalty to him and were immediately dismissed.

In Bavaria and Wuerttemberg the constitutions held, while at that time Prussia had no constitution limiting the power of the reigning monarch.

Answer: Frankfurt

The Frankfurt Parliament (National Assembly) hoped to create a unified and constitutional Germany, if possible under the Habsburg Archduke Johann or Frederick William IV of Prussia. Delegates had to grapple with the difficult issue of a 'Greater Germany' (which would have included at least part(s) of the Austrian Empire) or a geographically more modest Germany based on Prussia. After much debate the majority voted for the latter option and in March 1849 adopted a German constitution which also envisaged a hereditary monarchy. However, in April 1849 Frederich William IV refused to accept the imperial crown, and the Prussian (and Austrian) delegates were ordered by their governments to leave Frankfurt. The parliament was broken up by force.

A small number of radicals continued as a Rump Parliament in Stuttgart. They elected a five-man body for the administation of the office of emperor, and even produced a seal before being dissolved by military force. Those members who could do so, fled to Switzerland.

Remarkably, the seal of this small body has survived and was donated to the Federal Republic of Germany in 1992 by descendants of one of the members of the five-man body and is displayed in the Bundestag, Berlin. It bears the inscription 'Deutsche Reichsregentenschaft' ('Regency of the German Reich') round a double-headed eagle.

Answer: Hermann's victory over the Romans

Completed in 1875, the monument in the Teutoburger Wald is a showy, nationalistic piece of work. It is massive - about 53.5 m (173') high, and Hermann's sword at the very top of the statue is 7m (23') long. By the time of its completion the monument had acquired an anti-French significance.

A smaller imitation was erected by German settlers at Hermann Heights, New Ulm, Minnesota in the U.S. and completed in 1897. The American statue soon acquired the nickname 'Hermann the German', a nickname later sometimes applied jokingly to all male Germans.

Answer: It experienced practically zero growth for 5 years

The social consequences of five years of zero growth were painful. Discontent was widespread and signs of political unrest became apparent. Towards the end of this period politically organized antisemitism, which many thought was dead, began to emerge. When, in 1879, the German economy gradually emerged from the depression, investment was strongest in the 'new' industries - especially chemicals, electricity supply and related areas.

High rates of growth did not return until after 1890.

Answer: All of these

Before the ban was there had been two attempts of the Kaiser's life, but evidence linking the would-be assassins to the Social Democrats was weak. At the time of the ban there were precisely nine socialist members of the Reichstag. However, in Bismarck's eyes socialists were a 'public menace' ('gemeingefährlich') and 'enemies of the Reich' ('Reichsfeinde'). Suspected socialist 'agitators' were hounded by the authorities.

Answer: Inform the police

If the police had any doubts about the legality or respectability of the meeting, a police officer would attend the meeting, sit on the platform and take notes!

Answer: 1900-1908

Before 1900-1908 a number of women had been admitted to some German universities as special cases. They had had to make out a case for admission on an individual basis. It was not sufficient to have the 'Abitur' (the standard secondary school leaving certificate).

Despite these difficulties, a small number of women did study and even received degrees at German universities before 1900, but they were admitted as exceptions.

Answer: Kaiser William usually had the guests seated by military rank

So, next to the Kaiser sat the Chief of the General Staff, while the Chancellor was treated as if he was greatly inferior. The so-and-so had never been promoted above the rank of major. Seating arrangements are not without significance and send out interesting messages. :)