What is "sammlungspolitik"

Sammlungspolitik was the term for a domestic policy of Kaiser Wilhelm II during his rule in Germany. It means bringing together policy, it aimed to unite the political parties and groups in favour of Weltpolitik (policy involving navy and colonial expansion) and also diminishing the SPD, which other parties pretended to take seriously as a revolutionary socialist party. Most parties supported Weltpolitik but in 1909 the navy budget became controversial. Instead of choosing to tax the rich, the government chose to increase sales tax (an increase the price of goods), which led to its sudden loss of support from parties like the Zentrumspartei and the Liberals. In 1912 election, the SPD gained 112 seats, making it the largest party in the Reichstag.