Hertling cabinet

The Hertling cabinet was the first cabinet of the German Empire that came about after consulting with the majority parties in the Reichstag. The Social Democrats did not join the cabinet, not wanting to render the process of forming a government even more difficult.

Cabinet of Georg von Hertling
7th Cabinet of the German Empire
1817 – 1818
Georg von Hertling
Date formed	1 November 1917
Date dissolved	3 October 1918 (11 months and 2 days)
People and organisations
Emperor	Wilhelm II
Chancellor	Georg von Hertling
Vice Chancellor	Karl Helfferich (until 9 November 1917) Friedrich von Payer (from 9 November 1917)
Member parties	Supported by: Progressive People's Party Centre Party National Liberal Party Social Democratic Party
Status in legislature	Majority
History
Election(s)	1912 federal election
Predecessor	Michaelis cabinet
Successor	Baden cabinet

Hertling belonged to the right wing of the Catholic Centre Party, and was against a parliamentarisation of the German Empire. The left wing around Matthias Erzberger took the opposite view, and the broad centre of the party wanted to take into account the views of the right wing, but also took note of the wishes of Catholic workers for democratisation. The centre did not want to put obstacles in the way of parliamentarisation, but did not take active steps to prevent a split in the party. Hertling's chancellorship meant that the Centre and the left Liberals took account of the conservative elements. The latter could thus get used to a parliamentary way of governing.[1]