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Line 65: − In December 1913, lawmakers revolted and voted no confidence in Bethmann, an episode called the Zabern Affair.<ref>There was public outrage in response to abuses by a military officer in the Alsacian town of Zabern. On December 4, 1913, the Reichstag voted no confidence in Bethmann by a margin of 293 to 54. Under the German constitution, the emperor had exclusive authority over appointments. But if the budget had been rejected, Bethmann might have been forced out of office. In the end, only the Social Democrats (110 seats) and the Polish Party (18 seats) voted against the budget. Germany had failed to take advantage of its best chance to achieve parliamentary democracy and head off war.</ref> However, Bethmann's position, along with army expansion, were confirmed when the Reichstag meekly passed the annual budget on December 9. Only the Social Democrats and the Polish Party voted against.+
→Opposition in the Reichstag (1912-1913)
In June 1913, the Reichstag approved a dramatic expansion of the army with the support of deputies of the Center, the National Liberal, and Radical parties.<ref name=ArmyExpand>"[http://archive.spectator.co.uk/article/5th-july-1913/10/on-monday-the-reichstag-passed-the-new-german-army On Monday the Reichstag passed the new German Army Bill]", ''Spectator'', July 5, 1913.</ref>
In June 1913, the Reichstag approved a dramatic expansion of the army with the support of deputies of the Center, the National Liberal, and Radical parties.<ref name=ArmyExpand>"[http://archive.spectator.co.uk/article/5th-july-1913/10/on-monday-the-reichstag-passed-the-new-german-army On Monday the Reichstag passed the new German Army Bill]", ''Spectator'', July 5, 1913.</ref>
On December 4, 1913, the Reichstag voted no confidence in Bethmann by a margin of 293 to 54. This vote was in response to abuses by a military officer in the Alsatian town of Zabern. Under the constitution, the emperor had exclusive authority over appointments. But if the budget had been rejected, Bethmann might have been forced out of office. In the end, only the Social Democrats (110 seats) and the Polish Party (18 seats) voted against the budget. The Reichstag had failed to take advantage of Germany's best chance to achieve parliamentary democracy and head off war.
==Decision for war (1912-1914)==
==Decision for war (1912-1914)==