Significance Of Weltpolitik

Germany and why it has gone through First World War has been subject of debate among scholars, academics and historians. Several documents have been analyzed in order to understand the subject and aims of Germany were when it went on war. Wide ranging literature is available on the subject, which concentrates on discussing the start of World War I. History is based on evaluation and examination of facts. The

It is heavily debated that the display of German aggression inevitably contributed to the outbreak of general European tensions, and war in 1914. The use of strategies such as the Anglo-German Naval Race, as stated in Joll’s source, highlighted the aggression by Germany prior to war. Moreover, this type of tactic also demonstrated the desire and hunger Germany obtained for continental power, another factor towards European tensions. The sources in question both support and contest the set statement, to an extent. Sources 1 and 3 by Corrigan and Joll, respectively, argue how Germany’s use of tactics agitated European powers, thus causing war. However, Source 2 by Turner disagrees with the statement, arguing how other European powers were to

Although the world seemed at peace in the early 1900’s but world’s powerful forces were pushing Europe towards war. These forces included militarism, alliances, imperialism and nationalism.

Many historians argue that the reason for Germany going to war was due to the aggressive behaviour of Germany in the build up to the war. Throughout this essay I will be addressing this issue looking at whether Germany was responsible for the outbreak of a general European war in August 1914. There are many factors which contribute to the outbreak of the war from a short-term trigger such as the assassination of Franz Ferdinand to the long-term annexation aims Germany implemented in the years building up to the war, the most important reason was Germany’s aggressive foreign policy, they had provided

Leading up to the First World War (WWI) was a series of crises -- Serbian unification efforts, the Ten-Point Ultimatum from Austria to Serbia, the Kruger Telegram, the Dreadnought Race, the Moroccan Crises of 1905 and of 1911, the Balkan Wars, and the Bosnian Crisis -- that generated significant conflict and division among the countries of Europe, all of which seemed to lay the foundation for the start of WWI. With concern for its own power and security in a rapidly changing Europe, Germany set out to undermine the power of as well as the alliances between other European countries. In his book The Sleepwalkers: How Europe went to War in 1914, Christopher Clark points out that, while ‘not one of the great powers has escaped the

In addition to the damaging consequences of the First World War with the requirements of the Treaty of Versailles, certain features of Germany caused the state to be susceptible to the influence of this dangerous ideology. Along with the damage to the national ego as a result of the First World War, Germany had co-existing and conflicting highly modern strands of development forced to integrate with powerful remnants of archaic values and social structures, and had a deeply fractured parliamentary political system, and the weaknesses of this system reflected the social and political differences within the population. This shame and failure after World War I was superimposed onto a modern country which once had an advanced economy, a sophisticated state

The Wilhelmine period fostered views of world power status for Germany and drastically changed existing foreign practices (Fullbrook 149). Bismarck’s carefully erected diplomatic policies were replaced with aggressive imperialistic methods. The rapid industrialization of Germany necessitated a source of low

After reading Sandler’s article, entitled “‘Here Too Lies Our Lebensraum’: Colonial Space as German Space,” two clear turn in the history of German expansionism can be seen. Initially, when the infant German government, headed by chancellor Otto von Bismarck, approached the idea of overseas colonialism, they sought to establish Germany as a European power and claim their “place in the sun.” In the aftermath of the First World War, Germany’s only goal of expansion was to reclaim their colonies lost in the Treaty of Versailles. After 1933 and the emergence of the National Socialists in Germany, the main goal of German expansion was that of Eastern policy (Ostpolitik), which mean expansion into Eastern Europe. In these shifts, those in favor of reclaiming of Germany’s African colonies had to alter their advocacy approach, as their audience went from the late-nineteenth century German government, to the composers of the Treaty of Versailles, and to Hitler and the Nazi Party.

When World War One ended in 1919, Germany was held responsible for causing the war and was therefore held accountable for the reparations to be paid for the devastation that other countries involved in the war faced. The world was experiencing a global economic crisis and Germany had acquired an enormous amount of debt, leaving millions of people unemployed. These conditions provided the chance for the rise of a new leader, Adolf Hitler, and the Nazi party. Hitler was a charismatic and effective speaker who spoke to German nationalism and gave many German citizens hope for change. He blamed their economic failure on the Jewish population and made promises to return Germany to it's former glory.

After taking control of Western Europe in June 1940, the carefully constructed information dissemination campaign of the ‘New Order,’ timed itself perfectly with Germany’s strategic plan. Exhausted and desperate Europeans craved economic stability and Hitler’s ‘New Order’ adroitly exploited that desire, promising that the ‘New Order’ would achieve that longed for economic stability. The forces behind the emerging authoritarian regime in Germany after World War I never lay on the table the cost of total political subjugation, nor the commanding control Germany would wield over the markets of the world. Deficiencies of the ‘New Order’ were deftly veiled from the would-be victims in Europe, deficiencies that included resistance that had already

To Neville’s surprise as he watches Britain sink by war debts, trade exports falling, unemployment rising to double figures, and the Spanish Flu, in retaliation, he vows to “make Germany pay”. After the First World War, and the map of Europe is redrawn as several new countries start new, Germany sees a rebirth in their country

As one of my sources I will be using one of the Germans Kaiser speeches, as it is an excellent portrayal of the German’s imperialistic ambitions. Wilhelm’s speech is directed to the North German Regatta Association in 1901 in what is Hamburg Germany. The purpose behind Wilhelm’s speech is to expand the German Navy, as he believes the seas are the future of Germany. The increase in German Naval power leads to the Anglo-German Naval race, one

Otto von Bismarck, “The Iron Chancellor,” guided the Prussian ascent to power in Europe and the unification of Germany through the 1864 Second Schleswig War, 1866 Austro-Prussian War, and 1870 Franco-Prussian war. However, this new German Empire at the heart of Europe provided a destabilizing presence and encroached on the existing powers. The newly powerful German state would surely be eroded by war on the European continent. Bismarck showed his talent in isolating Denmark, Austria, and France as he facilitated Prussia’s rise, but demonstrated his true genius by entangling the major powers of Europe in alliances to maintain peace from 1871 to 1890—a strategic necessity for the survival of the nascent German state. His skill far outweighed the other statesmen of his time, and he “deserves full credit for having steered European politics through this dangerous transitional period without serious conflict between great powers.”

More so than any of its contemporary states, Germany’s actions prior to World War I were driven by a persistent almost paranoid fear. Benefitting from victory in its wars of unification, Germany exemplified a rational actor. During its rise to become a European power, the new sovereign had effectively maximized its utility thereby reinforcing its belief that war was likely to pay (46). Time and again during any national predicament, such as colonial disputes with the British and French, Germany expected the use or threat of force would achieve some measure of success (Jervis, 189). Primed with a positive outcome in mind, force was the favored means in achieving strategic ends.

Germany, a country rich in culture and heritage, yet plagued by the fallout of World War I and World War II, has progressed to become the centerpiece of the European Union and the world’s third richest economy. The first German Empire dates back to the Roman Empire starting in the 8th century AD. During the Middle Ages the German Empire fended off many attacks against their soil from the Hungarians and the Slavs. Fighting and power struggles continued until the 1400’s, when the modern world gradually came into existence with intellectual, economic and political changes.