Who Was Leo Von Caprivi?

Leo von Caprivi served as Chancellor of Germany from 1890 to 1894. Caprivi's policy was one of reconciliation with the Social Democrats and an improved relationship with liberals, leftists and minorities in Germany. These dove policies, however, ended up earning him the wrath of conservatives in the Wilhelmine Empire.

In terms of foreign policy, von Caprivi was very much pro-British and he was able to sign the Zanzibar Treaty of 1890, by which Germany gained territory in Africa.

On the domestic front, the Caprivi government introduced welfare legislation, such as new regulations in terms of working conditions and important limitations on child labour, something which at the time was still prevalent in many part of Europe. Caprivi also introduced a new, progressive income tax (this was truly revolutionary for his time) and he also reduced tariffs. His downfall, however, was that he truly irritated the right-wing with his progressive measures.

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