1903: The rising tide of Socialism
The astonishing results of the 1903 General Election were matched with an equally astonishing government. Franz von Bavel-Timmermans had patiently rejected attempts from liberals and conservatives alive to bring him into the government; finally, he was rewarded for his patience, as he became Chancellor. His ministers were equally surprising. No fewer than four members of the DSU held prominent positions. The key areas of finance and foreign policy were dominated by socialists. For the first time, a Communist served in a Reichstag ministry, as Jean-Pierre St. Gerard became Minister of Education.
Yet for all of the new faces, much of the government's policy was surprisingly conservative. Finance Minister Friedrich Gerulf and President of the State Planning Commission Otto Meier addressed the budget shortfalls by ending financial subsidies to underperforming factories. The popularity of the DSU allowed Gerulf to sell the lower classes on a tax increase by including the first pensions for retired Germans, an extremely popular measure that passed the Reichstag easily. Gerulf also introduced legislation to nationalize significant parts of the German rail network, which was equally popular. The liberal Minister of the Interior, Johannes Carile, also contributed to the economic resurgence of Germany by promoting incentive plans to hire more clerks in German factories, a move which was sure to improve efficiency.
The other major Socialist ministry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, saw Axel Wouters make significant changes to German foreign policy. Many minor European states were cast off as the territory of other Great Powers. Tver was the sole exception, as Germany continued to compete with Poland for influence there. Wouters also expanded on the Asian connections of Germany, redoubling efforts to restore Japan as an economic ally. For the first time, Germany cast an eye toward China, as diplomats headed to Beijing with the goal of concluding a military pact in 1904.
Quelling rumors that a Socialist would not be willing to use aggressive foreign policy, Wouters supported Dalmatian rebels in European Venice. When Venice threatened to escalate the matter, Wouters issued an ultimatum (a politely worded one, but an ultimatum nonetheless) that had Venice almost immediately surrender. Germany signed an alliance with the fledgling nation, but there were already disconcerting rumors that Dalmatia was rejecting democracy.
Plenty of eyebrows were raised in the Reichstag when, mere months after a member of the KPD entered the government proper, Communists seized control of Brittany. Rumors started swirling that Gerard, the Minister of Education, had diverted government funding to support the rebellion. Gerard firmly denied the rumors, but that did not stop them from circulating. A few of the more radical members of the KPD were shocked to see that Gerard was continuing the educational platform of his predecessor, Walther Herwig, and spending funding on military improvements, specifically to the navy. This decision was all the more surprising since the Minister of War, Konrad von Schwaben, had announced no new efforts to expand or reform the German military.
Journalists the world over applauded the first Socialist regime in Germany. Von Bavel-Timmermans was celebrated as a "quiet genius." Money poured into the republic's coffers; in just six months, over £290,000 filled the government treasury, and that despite an increase in the amount of social spending. Germany was respected as tough but fair in foreign politics. The military was being modernized. As 1904 began, a sense of prosperity and pride filtered through the elites of the German nation.
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The Supreme Court announces nominations for the President of Italy. As a reminder, those who seek election must be residents of Italy at the time of the election.
New legislation may also be proposed and ministry plans altered.
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court