Abstract

The "Great Depression" (1873 - 1895) caused structural changes within German industry, especially in the branches with primarily small and mediumscaled systems of production. These branches remained backward in both their development and the advancement of their interests. In an attempt to meet these problems, industrialists organized their own pressure groups, but due to the heterogeneity of the branches, the pressure groups remained organizationally unstable, financially weak, and initially without political influence. Greater success was first achieved through a new, forward-looking parliamentary strategy (the "Stresemann concept") and through close cooperation with rapid-growing branches of industry. This "counteroffensive of light industry" turned into a defensive policy of stability before the first world war due to the success of the workers' movement.