Navy Laws and Their Domestic Importance

This section explores the navy laws and their domestic importance to Germany. From 1898 onwards, Germany undertook a significant expansion of its navy. This was a crucial aspect of the policy known as Weltpolitik (‘world politics’), introduced in 1897. The aim of Weltpolitik was to establish Germany as a global power by building an overseas empire, increasing international trade, and enhancing naval strength to compete with Britain’s Royal Navy. The expansion of the navy reflected Germany’s ambition to assert its influence worldwide and gain prestige on the international stage.

Admiral von Tirpitz and the Navy League

The key architect behind Germany’s naval expansion was Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz. He played a crucial role in persuading the government and the public of the necessity of a powerful navy. To rally public support, von Tirpitz helped establish the Navy League (Flottenverein) in 1898, an organisation that aggressively campaigned for the passage of new Naval Laws. The Navy League quickly gained mass support, boasting over one million members, including influential industrialists and nationalist groups.

Naval Laws and Their Domestic Impact

The German government passed a series of Naval Laws between 1898 and 1912, each aimed at expanding and modernising the fleet. The first Naval Law in 1898 proposed the construction of 19 new battleships, while subsequent laws in 1900, 1906, 1908, and 1912 further increased the size of the navy. These laws were instrumental in shaping domestic politics and society.

Domestic Successes of Weltpolitik and Naval Expansion

• It satisfied Kaiser Wilhelm II’s ambition for Germany to become a dominant global power. The Kaiser was deeply invested in naval expansion and saw it to rival Britain.
• It fostered national pride and patriotism, appealing to Germans who viewed a strong navy as essential to the country’s status.
• It strengthened support for the Kaiser and his government, particularly among conservative and nationalist factions.
• It secured a parliamentary majority in the Reichstag for the government, allowing military policies to be passed with relative ease in the early years.

Domestic Problems Caused by Weltpolitik and Naval Expansion

• The government’s hold over the Reichstag was not permanent. As economic challenges grew, support for naval expansion weakened, making it harder to pass new laws, such as the reform of the Tariff Law in 1902.
• Military and naval expansion placed a massive strain on the national budget. The government was forced to borrow heavily, leading to a national debt of 490 billion marks by 1913.
• Increased spending on the navy and colonial expansion meant that domestic social programmes, such as welfare and infrastructure, received less funding, exacerbating social inequality.
• Attempts to raise additional taxes to manage the growing deficit met with resistance, particularly from the middle and working classes, who were already burdened by rising living costs.

Key Considerations

To understand the impact of Germany’s naval expansion, it is useful to classify key factors into two categories:

Factors Contributing to Germany’s Growth as a World Power:

• Expansion of the navy and increased military capability
• Greater international influence and attempts to rival Britain’s dominance
• Rising nationalism and patriotic fervour among the population
• Economic growth due to increased industrial production linked to military expansion

Factors Contributing to Social Problems:

• Mounting national debt and economic instability
• Rising tensions in the Reichstag over military spending and taxation
• Declining investment in social reforms and welfare programmes
• Worsening class divisions due to increased financial burdens on the working and middle classes

The expansion of the navy under Weltpolitik played a pivotal role in shaping early 20th-century Germany. While it bolstered national pride and established Germany as a formidable power, it also deepened domestic political and economic challenges, contributing to the growing unrest that would later shape the course of German history.