... proposals set out by the new federal council or what was known as the Bundesrat. It is fair to say that Prussia had nothing to fear from the opposition from smaller states due to its overwhelming dominance in the Reichstag. E.J Passant quotes that "...the constitution of 1871 makes clear the conservative nature of the new Prusso-German Empire"2. Bismarck's first problem regarding the new dominated Prussian Reichstag which controlled three fifths of the parliament was the new implementation of universal manhood suffrage. This gave rise to both misunderstandings and inner conflicts. Bismarck's main problem was to satisfy both the Prussian Junkers and the allies he had found in the National-Liberals whilst unifying Germany between 1866 and 1870. However he was more determined to "...maintain the power of the monarchy and its ruling classes..."3 However Bismarck's period 1870 to 1878 has been regarded as his 'liberal period'. It is referred to ...

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