The German tariff of 1887 was a protectionist law passed by the Reichstag (under the guidance of Chancellor Otto von Bismarck) that raised tariffs on agricultural imports into Imperial Germany. It became law on 21 December 1887.[1]
The tariff of 1885 had raised the duties on wheat and rye to 3 marks per 100kg, with those on oats and barley raised to 1.50 marks.[2][3] The price of wheat in Prussia in 1886 was 33s.7d. per imperial quarter, in 1887 it was 35s.2d. per imperial quarter.[4] In 1886 the price of rye in Prussia was 6s.9d. per cwt.; in 1887 it was 6s.3d.[5]
Bismarck had requested a wheat and rye duty of 6 marks, but the Reichstag voted for 5 marks.[6] Many of the duties in the tariff were lowered by commercial treaties with Austria-Hungary and Italy negotiated by Bismarck's successor Leo von Caprivi.[7]
Rates edit
The duties on wheat and rye were raised to 5 marks per 100kg; on oats 4 marks; on barley 2.25 marks; on maize 2 marks; on flour 10.50 marks.[8] The duties on butter, cheese, eggs, meat, bullocks, cows, pigs and wine remained unchanged.[9]
Notes edit
References edit
- Percy Ashley, Modern Tariff History: Germany–United States–France (New York: Howard Fertig, 1970).
- Michael Tracy, Government and Agriculture in Western Europe, 1880–1988 (London: Harvester Wheatsheaf, 1989).