Growth of Socialism & Social Reform

Germany was a country which was used to a hardline authoritarian government underneath a strong ruler. This was believed by many in Germany to be the only way for a country to be governed. Those who were defined as middle class were the ones who supported this authoritarian system.

The system of government was under threat from the rising industrial population. Those who held land in Germany, were worried that socialism would spread among those who were in the working classes. They were worried that this spread of socialism would result in the destruction of the authoritarian order which governed Germany.

The governments in Germany wanted to stop the rise of socialism in Germany so enacted some social reforms all designed to stop the growing rise of socialism. Old age pensions and insurance schemes were created by the government. Despite these changes, the support for the Social Democratic Party increased.