oct 17, 1900 - Bülow appointed Chancellor

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Groomed for office by Wilhelm's inner circle. Flatter Kaiser - 'the eel'

Abandoned anti-socialist aspect of Sammlungspolitik, still tried to win support by appealing to patriotism. 1902, new tariff law restored duties on agricultural products and a few key manufacturers - increased revenue for developing navy - appeased industrialists and pleased agrarian interest.

By 1905, relations between Bülow and Kaiser decaying. Failed to control Reichstag to increase military spending. Opposed by SPD and Zentrum when trying to increase tax.

Bülow Bloc of Conservatives, Agrarian League,
and Liberals formed to not rely on Zentrum. Won Hottentot election in 1907

National Debt x2 1900-1908 and finance bill in June 1909 defeated by Conservatives, Zentrum, Progressives and SPD

Scandals about alleged homosexuality and failure to stop reports of Daily Telegraph Affair resulted in Bülow resigning.

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