Everyone Is Forced Into It

To force the government to make concessions, on November 7, 1881, the Prussian bourgeoisie organized a massive strike and business shutdown movement.

This move utterly enraged Friedrich III. After repeated negotiations proved fruitless, on November 10, the Berlin Government declared martial law across the country.

Public security brigades made up of retired soldiers took over the police's duties, sealed off key transportation routes, and confiscated the shops, warehouses, and factories of all participating capitalists. The government then took unified control of material distribution nationwide.

Immediately afterward, Friedrich III ordered factories to resume production. Many retired officers transformed overnight into factory managers.

There was no great technical expertise involved. If they did not know how to manage a factory, they could simply copy the methods used to manage an army.

As long as someone paid their wages, ordinary workers did not care who the boss was. Strict management was no issue; as long as the money was there, everything could be discussed. One factory after another gradually resumed operations.

From production to sales, the government handled everything itself. It looked rather like a planned economy, and the capitalists were truly beginning to panic.

Reality told them that they did not seem to be so important after all. Even without them, the country was still functioning normally.

Although plenty of trouble still arose along the way, this was merely the initial stage. Things could be gradually changed later.

It was already too late for regrets. Since all pretenses had been stripped away, Friedrich III naturally would not be courteous.

There was no need to fabricate charges against anyone. Simply digging through their old accounts sent wave after wave of people clanking into prison.

Prime Minister Leo von Caprivi said anxiously, "Your Majesty, this cannot go on. Otherwise, there will be serious chaos."