The Era of the Wars

From the years of 1914 to 1949 Germany was under the world wars as long as was the rest of the world. World War I was thought to be a quick war which would have been over in a few weeks. however that plan did not come to place. As the war lingered on the enthusiasm and support quickly faded (192). With that in mind. the war brought many changes to the German government and to its people. They suddenly were at a different state than they were before and democracy did not seem to be working (198). World War I ended in defeat for Germany in 1919. The Treaty of Versailles was signed by Forgein Minster Hermann Muller Postal Minster Johannes Bell. The Treaty of Versailles left Germany with the bill of World War I. They had a pay for much of the destruction they were blamed with us this country start of fall apart economically (204). They were left Bankrupt. The people had to return to the form of bartering instead of using money because it was simply worth nothing. They would use it to burn fores to keep warm because they had to use needed coal as payment to France. The amount of money that they had to pay with 6% annual interest just destroyed the economy of Germany (209-210).

The signing of the Treaty of Versailles

An image of the Treaty

Not only was Germany facing an economic issue, but also a governmental one. They went through 16 different governments in the average of a new form about every year and a half (207). Germany was seemed helpless after the Treaty of Versailles their forces and military was ordered to decrease (205). However in 1923 Hitler led a March which began a patriotic movement, which put him and his associates in jail (211). However, new governments were not only changing in Germany but were also changing in Britain and France. The German was given a second chance since there was a greater amount of openness toward Germany (212).

Although things were beginning to look brighter for Germany, all was not right. The Treaty of Versailles left them with a broken spirit, and even though the other European countries were no longer harassing them and strictly blaming them for World War I, The country of Germany was still not united. But even though the Treaty of Versailles left them with a great hardship, the years of 1924 in 1929 there was a great production increase in Germany with a growth of about 50% (218). But growth was only temporary in 1930 unemployment began to increase (230). The heartache of World War I left Germany with a hopeless society and though there was growth there was still not one country. This left a whole that needed to be filled. Hitler was able to use this toward his benefit. His eloquence in words gave him the power to reach the heart of the people.

Hitler: brought unity to Germany 

Hitler use the emotional needs of the people to reach the heart of the people (231-232).
The Great Depression then hit between 1920 and 1932. Once again it was as if Treaty of Versailles heartache had returned. No it did not lead directly to Hitler's reign, it helped give him the emotional needs of the people for him to dominate Germany. His goal for a "superior race" left him in charge of the nation (247). Post-World War I left Germany with a desperate need for unification, and Hitler answer that call. What he had done for Germany was given immunity which had never been done before, this time German people a reason to stand united. Hitler used the Treaty of Versailles to get Germany on his side and he rose against it and violated it in 1935 (259).

To find it interesting that one treaty affected Germany so greatly it lead to the country be run by arguably the "evilest "dictators of all times. We often blamed Germany for being an evil nation however we do not realize the pain they suffered before they became what Hitler influence them to be. He gave them something they had desired unity and something to live for. Looking back today, we may blame the people of Germany for following the "evil dictator." The Treaty of Versailles left a lasting negative effects to the German people it is amazing how one piece of paper can change a nation.



Word 727

A unsuported union

This is a map for the time period of 1815-1830 of Germany.  As one can see, it is changing from the smaller regions it once was to mainly Prussia and Austria. From: http://michaeljohnbenze.net/images/ger1815.gif

German was growing; it was developing from a culture and a language into a full forced identity of a nation (117).  However, this did not start with a simple unification of the small Germanic regions.  It took wars and threats and fear to push for a unification of the Germanic regions.  It started with the fall of the Holy Roman Empire and the growth of Prussia and Austria.  These two large regions of German people began to grow, but they were not established on their own before their areas were threatened by Napoleon’s French revolution since there was fighting on the soil of Germanic lands (102, 118).  The French brought great defeat to many of the German lands that those states became allies with France and adapted their government style to fit their traditions (103).  This was a change for all German nations except the larger ones, Prussia and Austria.  This change brought about a need for unity of German regions, but Napoleon’s war was only a contributing factor to the need for unity, it was only the beginning of their need for a true German Nation. 

Napoleon who crowned himself King of France.  His wars lead to the start of German need for unity as a nation. From: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZANAGGb0-cWjDOxD3SJgouSKs5w3-zR_WqwDVXKB8UWFR_5Qo7f7B9AdDOLFaoOFFYkPfk5okyhJaMwO-nO2eqpGThHw_ENe_UnNpxDePK0f0IzyKYdrK0CRTbUclFcI6h8CoCveaoJqp/s1600/napoleon.jpg

The nation would not spring up overnight even with the push from Napoleon's war.  Its need and desire was strengthened during the Rhine when it seemed that France once again wanted to expand its boarders into German lands (p118).  France's conflicts with German lands only awakened the need for unity more and more, which lead to an increase in unity between the German lands and the people.  They began ro find common ground and grow with a new understanding.

This is a map of the Rhine River. From:   http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/willow/the-rhine0.gif

However, even with the great threat of France, unity was not an easy task for the Germans to accomplish.  In 1848-1849, there was a seemingly failed Revolution; it brought a greater sense of political unity, helping lay the foundation for a future German nation (p129).  This also brought great strength to the economics of Germany. Leaving room for the expansion of companies and the groundwork of industrialism which helped Germany escape from the Pauperism which had effected the German nations  during the 1830, which was large groups of urban poor who could not find work due to a changing economy (p116).  However, even with all of the seemingly blessings of this new era and the true development of a German nation, the feeling of the people is described as uprootedness (p134).

This may not seem like a big issue, but I find it to be the most intriguing since, they are becoming stronger, but then again, they are becoming resentful. The unity may have been supported because of security form France and other surrounding nations, but not out of the desire of the people’s hearts. Hence it left the German people with the feeling that their lives, though comfortable stability wise, was being taken from them by the change in the times (p134-135).  The more traditionally oriented society was forced to become modernized and though there were those who followed, it was not a consensus.   Therefore, this needed to be addressed which lead to an “Independent German workers, movement” which would influence the political minds of the time (p135).

Though the nation was not yet a whole piece, it was now Prussia (Small Germany) and Austria (Great Germany).  Prussia was stronger, since it had a greater final control (p129).  These kingdoms may have had similar people, but Austria was greatly under Prussia’s will.  Hence, though these two German nations may have been of similar people they were not at the same point to be the same nation.  Truly it seemed much of the German society was not ready for a unified nationality because the fall of the Holy Roman Empire was only about half a century prior, there was a vast amount of change which can leave people feeling insecure, even if the change is good. 

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