The Hammer-Germany, Essay Example

Introduction

This paper argues that modern Germany is viewed in the image of a hammer.  The concept of approaching the world a conqueror in order to win. Failure to triumph leads to the suffering of defeat.  This is exemplified through the examination of German history from that of the pre-unification period (1648-1871), the world wars (1890-1945) and post war Germany (1945 to present day).  Throughout this period of history Germany has demonstrated ‘the hammer’ and the need to impose force in order to achieve its aims.

Pre-unification period (1648-1871)

During this early period Germany was mainly in a reformation period and the political focus was mainly around the local communities and town’s folk. Almost half the population dwelled in small town communities. Political power vested in land owners with a peasant class that served the landowners and Estates.

Between 1740-1772 King Frederick11 was the King of Prussia[1] and self-proclaimed protector of the Holy Roman Empire. Frederick was born in Berlin and had strong philosophical beliefs.  Despite this he ventured on numerous campaign of conquest with a view towards modernising Prussia.  He captured Austria during the Silesian Wars and in addition portioned large portions of Poland which he annexed to Prussia.  He continued to annex other parts of Europe in his modernisation aims.  During the seven year war this created a modern state and the establishment of a new modern educational system for Europe.  The country of Germany was left in somewhat of a fragmented state but this created the path for Otto Von Bismarck to reunify Germany at a later date. (Tankard)

Bismarck created the German Reich in 1871.  From the 1860’s Prussia had land that stemmed from the Rhine to Russia in the East. Bismarck as Chancellor of Germany wanted to form a federation of states around Prussia and create a new German empire.  This ambition seeing German as the central power in Europe.  This was accomplished by the treaty at Versailles after the defeat of the French.  Feelings at this time, after the Franco Prussian war, were very nationalistic and this resulted in King Wilhelm 1 being proclaimed the Emperor of Germany in Versailles.  This in effect was the end of the Holy Roman Empire and the commencement of the German second Reich. Bismarck was appointed as the imperial empires first chancellor. (Silva)

The world wars (1890-1945)

It was during the first half of the twentieth century that became the most turbulent period of European history and influenced other regions from around the world. German ambitions of expansion and conquest ushered in two world wars.  The First World War also known as the Great War lasted from 1914 to 1918 spanning four years of conflict. The war started by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a Serbian splinter group. This started a chain of events leading up to the declaration of war.  It was a whole tangle of alliances between the different countries, sparked by Russia’s support of Serbia that saw Germany, France and Britain drawn into the conflict. (The First World War)

Germany and its administration were prepared for the First World War and had planned for the inevitable concept of a war on two fronts (Russia and France).  This was called the Schlieffen Plan, as put together by the German Chief of Staff Alfred von Schlieffen and as such aimed at eliminating France early in the war i.e. within the first 5 weeks of the outbreak of the war and then moving into the Russian Eastern front before the Russians had adequate time to mobilise their forces. Yet another example of the hammer of Germany planning a pre-emptive strike on the declaration of war.

Post war Germany (1945 to present)

The Second World War lasted five years from 1939-1945 and although perhaps not as brutal as the First World War it was conducted on a much grander scale and truly was a global war.  Germany allied with Japan and Italy against the UK /USA and its allies.  The war started really in 1938 when the German Army, commanded by Adolf Hitler, invaded the Sudetenland formerCzechoslovakia and Austria.  In 1939 he then invaded Poland and this brought Britain into the war with Germany.  Hitler wanted to create a third German Reich that would last for 1,000 years with the Germans expanding their territory to encompass Europe. In addition, Hitler wanted a race of Germans built upon the pure Arian race and went about on a policy of ethnic cleansing. Part of this was the persecution of some 6 million Jews that were sent to the death camps for extermination. Further, he went about the elimination of others like Romanies and Gypsies to avoid integration into the planned German Master Race.  (Rickard)

The mighty hammer of Germany fell across the face of Europe, North Africa and the Scandinavian countries as Germany strived towards the conquest of Europe.  The mass murders were an example of the extremes of fascism but indicated how the people were swept up in the euphoria of becoming dominant in Europe at any price.  Regrettably the Russians did not behave much better and it was stated that Stalin committed to his own ethnic cleansing program, using the war with Germany as an excuse, this resulted in the estimated massacre of some 20 million people of dissidents, gypsies, Ukrainians and others who opposed his will.

Today Germany is a leader in Europe and pivotal as a leading member of the European Union.  Germany sees itself as the driving force behind Europe having the richest economy of all the Euro zone countries.  Although others like France have tried to vie for the top position, nevertheless Germany and its politics strive to be the dominant influence.  This has not been without its issues though as whilst industrial Germany has prospered other countries like Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece have floundered – leading to the point where three of these required financial bailout supported by Germany, France and the IMF and the other two are in serious trouble of financial collapse also requiring bailouts.

A reluctant Germany has been funding these in order to keep the Euro Zone and its currency intact. Germany fears the demise of Europe as it is here that she sees the country having power and status in the international community.  This has somewhat irked the United Kingdom that has been a reluctant party for many years and considers itself divorced from mainstream Europe and its many problems.  The UK also a proud nation fears a dominant Germany, looking back on recent history like the two world wars where Germany featured as one of the main protagonists.  This has caused the UK to hold back on many federal integration policies like adopting the Euro and a common defence policy.

It is unlikely that this position will change in the future, in fact if the Euro collapses it is likely to become more polarised and provides the anti-Europe lobby in the UK with an opportunity for further distancing itself from the woes of Europe.  In the meantime Germany is caught in the trap of having to increase finding support for the weaker states.  Despite doing reasonably well financially Germany still has a low growth rate and could easily slip back into its own financial worries if the banking system collapsed and the world entered a new recession.  It is likely that some compromise will be reached and Germany will head up a new Eurozone of the 6 strongest economies whilst relegating the rest into a subordinate league or removing them altogether.

Works Cited

Rickard, J. The Second World War. 2001. 21 11 2011 <http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/wars_wwII.html>.

Silva, Brett N. The German Second Reich 1871-1918. 2011. 22 11 2011 <http://www.pvhs.chico.k12.ca.us/~bsilva/projects/germany/2ndreich/index.html>.

Tankard, Keith. The Rise of Prussia. 14 12 2009. 21 11 2011 <http://www.worldhistory.knowledge4africa.com/modern/realism-01.jsp>.

The First World War. The First World War. 2011. 21 11 2011 <http://www.firstworldwar.com/origins/index.htm>.

[1] The second largest state in the Holy Roman Empire between 174-1800 and German Confederation 1815-1866 paving the way for the creation of the German Reich by Bismarck in 1871