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The German Empire and the Third French Republic 525 This did not seem real socialism to the Socialists, but rather more of the old paternalism familiar to Prussia in the time of Frederick the Great. The existing capitalistic system of produc- tion was in no way affected by State socialism, and the workers themselves enjoyed no more influence over industry than they had previously. It was the State, not they, that gained control. 937. Accession of William II (isss). Kaiser William I, who with Bismarck's help had founded and developed the Ger- man Empire, died in 1888 full of years and honor among his people. He was succeeded by his grandson, 1 the "kaiser" of the World War, William II. Bismarck did not get along well with the arrogant new ruler and resigned in 1890. The kaiser chose a new chancellor from time to time, but none of them exhibited the capacity of the "iron chancellor," as Bismarck was called. 938. German Colonies. United Germany, like united Italy, embarked upon a colonial policy. In the later years of Bismarck's administration the Germans got control of large provinces (Togo and Kamerun) on the western coast of Africa. They moreover carved out a protectorate called German Southwest Africa, far larger than the whole area of the German Empire, and they estab- lished themselves in German East Africa, which was even more extensive (see map, p. 582). But few Germans cared to emigrate to the new colonies, and their treatment of the natives made them a good deal of trouble. The enterprise cannot be said to have paid very well. In 1897 the Germans seized the port of Kiaochow in China and began to exhibit great jealousy in regard to the colonial expansion of England and France. When the World War began Germany speedily lost all her colonies. 939. Growth of Germany in Numbers and Wealth. During the reign of William II Germany grew rapidly in wealth and popu- lation. The population in 1870 was about 40,000,000; in 1914 it was almost 68,000,000, a larger increase than in any other country in western Europe. Vast new cities grew up ; old ones i William IPs father, Frederick, lived for only a few months after the death of the " old kaiser." The new kaiser was a grandson of Queen Victoria of England and spoke and wrote English excellently.