The most right-wing of the six parties is the Conservative Party, which represents Prussian nationalism, aristocracy, and landed property.

Many of its members remain opposed to German unification because they fear Prussia's gradual
absorption by the empire.

The Conservatives also detest the Reichstag because it is elected by universal suffrage.

The Free Conservative Party represents industrialists and large commercial interests.

The views of this party most closely match those of Bismarck.

Its members support unification because they see it as unavoidable.

The National Liberal Party is composed of liberals who have accepted Germany's lack of full
democracy because they value national unity more.

They continue to favor a laissez-faire economic policy and secularization.

In time, National Liberals will become some of the strongest supporters of the acquisition of colonies and a substantial naval buildup, both key issues in the 1880s and 1890s.