History of Germany Essay

Germany started out as a divided nation fighting for dominance in Europe. Otto Von Bismarck was able to take this struggling complexity and unify it. During this process Bismarck turned the small country of Prussia into a powerhouse, growing the population from 11 to 18 million. Bismarck sprung from a landlord class and moved his way up the political ladder as realpolitik, realistic Politician. He was a man of simple ideals; he stressed duty, service, order, and the fear of God. These ideals along with manipulative tactics are what lead Bismarck on his journey of the unification of Germany, proving that without Bismarck’s diplomatic efforts between 1871 and 1890 Europe would not be the stabilized continent it is today.

The Treaty of Versailles formed after World War I forced Germany to pay great amounts in reparation payments, which was severely damaging to their economy and to their collective national ego. In addition, they were forced to greatly weaken their army by demobilizing, abolishing universal compulsory military service, and by having their army be comprised by no more than seven divisions of infantry and three divisions of cavalry. Furthermore, the country was also forced to return lands which they had viewed as 'Germanic' and had laid claim to, as well as overseas colonies, back to various other countries.

One of the terms that Germany had to meet was A large debt in gold for reparations to the other countries, Which was 132 billion gold marks (Doc C). Although they had to pay off reparations to other counties they did not have to rebuild bridges, roads, schools, and business as did their other allies. Germany had to suspend payments due to the Great Depression in 1931 also

How successful were Giolitti’s government in promoting political stability in Italy in the years 1903 -1914?

The political, economical, and social order of the Germanic states in the nineteenth century was in a state of chaos and disarray. Politically, the states had the desire of becoming unified and had the possibility to do so if it had not been for fear and neglect to follow through. Economically, the states were in a time of hardships with poor growth development in the fields and were also going through the time of the Industrial Revolution with changes to their everyday lives. Socially, the Germanic states were divided into a feudal system that was determined by birth status and wealth. The middle class, made up of scholars and students, and aristocracy had shared the same fear of the commoners’ revolt due

Treaty of Versailles: The treaty of Versailles was imposed on Germany on June 28 1919 by the Allies. France, Great Britain, the United States and the other allies demanded that Germany dismantled their military, only allowing a token army and navy and forbidding them an Air Force. Germany had to give up some of its lands to reconstitute Poland, and accept military occupation in its remaining territories. The treaty also contained a “Guilt Clause” required that Germany accept responsibility and promise to pay reparations to compensate the victors for their losses, but no amount or period of time was set for this clause.

German historian Fritz Fischer argues that Germany 's desire for world power was the reason that for the outbreak of WWI. Germany had plans for a war before the crisis that occurred during 1914 and used the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand as an excuse to put the plans into effect. Germany also encouraged Austria and its war plans to provoke a crisis in which it can solve the problem that Germany would face if they went to war. This problem is called "encirclement" and Germany would face this problem if it went to war with France and Russia. By having Austria doing so it would allow Germany to dominate and expand its territories. France and Russia signed a full military defensive alliance in 1892-1895 which allowed the possibility of a two-front war. With Germany 's geographical position being between these two great powers, it would cause Germany to lose the war at an instant. In addition to this, France felt bitterness towards the defeat of 1870-1871 and the taking

Two days after Britain and France declared war on Nazi Germany, on the 3rd of September 1939, President Roosevelt issued a proclamation of neutrality and ordered the suspension of munitions sales to all “belligerents” (nations involved in war.) This included its “allies” the British and the French, as they were counted as “belligerent” nations.

In the year 1945 as a consequence of Nazi Germany’s defeat in World War II the country was forcibly split between four powers the Soviets in the East and Allies of the West in a period known as the division of Germany. The country was stripped of its many spoils of war and lost all of its territories in the east. At the Potsdam Conference Prime Minister Clement Attlee of Britain, Premier Stalin, and President Truman put forth the guiding ethos for the Allied Control Council: Germany’s complete and total disarmament and demilitarization, destruction of its war potential rigid control over it’s industries, and the decentralization of the political and economic structure. Finally, for purposes of Political control Germany was divided into four national zones to be occupied by the allied forces. The occupation of West Germany by the allies would last well into the Cold War, whilst East Germany, would remain under Soviet influence until after the Cold War had ended. It should also be noted that West Germany adopted a more capitalistic model while the East side of Germany remained a Communist society till after the Cold War.

There were various factors that contributed to the failure of the Weimar Republic of Germany and the ascent of Hitler’s National Socialist German Workers Party into power on January 30, 1933. Various conflicting problems were concurrent with the eventuation of the Republic that, from the outset, its first governing body the socialist party (SPD) was forced to contend with.

By moving an army into Silesia, we gained their territory. Although they lack a supply center Germany need their country to expand. They will fail as a world power we do not take over surrounding vulnerable land. Our plan was that once we gained Silesia we would head east, to Warsaw. This plan is now compromised due to Russia’s invasion of Warsaw before we could get to it.

Germany has a very interesting history that involves multiple rulers before it even became the Germany we know today. In 1618 there was a war called the thirty year war that ravaged all across Europe including Germany. It is said to be the most gruesome war in Europe ever. Diseases spreaded fastly from troop movements killing thousands causing disease and famine. This was a terrible period for germany and all of Europe, but. During the war The holy roman empire lost a lot of control over the German states. Over the course of the war an estimated 30% of Germany 's population was decimated. By near the end of the war most of central Europe lied in ruin in some areas over 50% of the population was decimated. The war was mainly between Catholics and Protestants and then it dragged in the National armies of Sweden, France, Denmark, Spain and the Holy Roman Empire, and Germany was right in the middle of the brutal warfare. In 1648 the war was officially declared over with a treaty called the Peace of Westphalia. The Peace of Westphalia stated many thing including every prince of their own state could choose their religion and not have the princes be forced to follow one religion so prevent war and uprising. Also nations could make their own individual laws in their states. To sum it up the Peace of Westphalia just made sovereign nations allowed. All that killing just for sovereignty. Another huge event in

World War I was a devastating war that had a long-lasting effect on every European country. After the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austrian throne, and his wife by the hands of a Serbian terrorist group known as the Black Hand. Germany urged Austria-Hungary to attack Serbia, but Russia stepped up to protect the country. Germany ambushed Belgium, and proceeded to Russia, throwing Great Britain into the war due to their alliance with Belgium. As a result, the continent of Europe, including Great Britain, Italy, Russia, Austria-Hungary, and France, was plunged into a great World War. The war lasted from 1914 to 1918, and it left Germany singled out as the catalyst. In November 1918, Germany finally agreed to an Armistice, a halt in the fighting, but they did not consider themselves to be surrendering. At the time, the Germans believed that they would play a role in constructing the treaty that would end the war, but when the time came, they were not allowed to participate. Germany was greatly angered by this, but there was nothing that they could do for their army had been disarmed. They had two choices: sign the Treaty or be invaded by the Allies. With no other option, the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919 in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles in France. Although the Treaty of Versailles did bring an end to World War I,

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war with a unique goal for its conclusion as his main goal was not to