“The Kulturkampf and the anti-socialist campaign were political failures for Bismarck.” Discuss.

Candidates will offer a considered and balanced review of the argument that the Kulturkampf and the anti-socialist campaign were political failures. They may identify Bismarck’s aims and assess how far they were achieved. Bismarck aimed to strengthen imperial rule by limiting the threat of social democracy and by unifying the empire. He did this by weakening the Catholics, whom he perceived to be (potentially) disloyal. The Kulturkampf (May Laws) were a series of laws against the influence of the Catholic Church and were withdrawn in 1887. Support for the Centre party increased and the Church maintained its influence. The campaigns against the Social Democrats led to increased support and, by 1912, they had become the largest party. Some candidates may point out that Bismarck’s social legislation was much more effective in countering the threat from socialism, as the SPD remained moderate.