Germany 2

Germany – The Answer To An Old Question Essay, Research Paper

Thesis: This paper will argue that Germany needs to secure itself as

both the economic and political hegemon of Europe inside of the European

Union; until its present condition and effectiveness in the global

politics changes, instability in the European Union, as well as, basic

fear of will always be present.

I. Introduction

II. Historical Perspective-The two negative factors

A. Fear – twice in one century

1) Bismarck/Frederick II

2) Hitler

B. Foolishness

1) WWI

2) WWII

III. Reunification – The Key

A. Economic realities

1) E. Germany’s status

2) Infrastructure

B. The significance of one Germany

1) Future

2) Politics

IV. European Union-The means to and end

A. European “check and balance system”

1) Hope for the future

2) Provisions for success

B. The answer to a disturbing question

1) Can Germany be strong and peaceful.

2) France and England

V. Conclusion

The formation of a state can be both a

beautiful and terrifying event . As a national you now have a home and

place to live with people of a common culture and heritage, an identity.

If you are a founder of the new state, there would be a sense of

accomplishment of having achieved the fulfillment of a lifetime goal.

Other states which deemed this new state as legitimate and recognized it

as a self-determined equal, have created a potential ally or enemy.

The downside, the premature recognition and the actual struggle for that

status, usually entails conflict, loss of life, revolution and even war.

A state was formed and recognized in 1871 in the center of

Europe. This event has had an enormous impact since its inception. It

has been both the salvation of Europe through economic depressions and

hard times, as well as, the cause for two world wars and the near

decimation of Europe. Its people have been back and forth between rags

and riches, democracy and dictatorships, united, broken and then

reunited. This state is known as Germany.

Modern Germany has been reunified after almost 50 years of

separation during the cold war. Once again German power and influence

is on the rise. The world watches because Germany has not been able to

successfully retain both total sovereignty over its territory and be an

economic world power, for a substantial period of time; without plunging

the world into an unavoidable conflict. The question of Germany and its

position in world politics is one which has plagued statesmen since

Germany’s formation. This paper will argue that the answer lies within

the state. Germany needs to secure itself as both the economic and

political hegemon of Europe under the auspices of the European Union.

Furthermore, until Germany’s present condition and effectiveness in

global politics changes, the instability in the European Union will

continue, as well as, the persistent German question..

Twice in history Germany has risen from disorder and weakness to

stand strong and belligerent upsetting the existing world order. Can

there be any question of why the world views Germany suspiciously. In

1914, German expansionism and short-sighted diplomacy paved the way

toward an inevitable war. Germany moved from Bismarkian Diplomacy which

maintained the “status quo” in Europe and abroad, to an aggressive

militaristic imperialism which desired redistribution of global

territory. A large naval fleet was built second only to the Royal navy

(Britain) as well as a massive increase in military hardware production.

By 1913 Germany replaced Britain as the main manufacturing European

power. This fact reinforced by the aggressive nature shown in German

foreign policy obviously was not in the interest of maintaining any sort

of status quo.

The situation was far from being solved. Though Germany was

defeated was placed at the mercies of the other victorious world

powers, which were determined not have the scenario of 1914 happen

again. Unfortunately, a similar situation did develop once again with

Germany in the center. By 1938 Germany had rearmed and was aggressively

expanding both its physical and economic boarders. Adolf Hitler saw the

opportunities which a weak Europe armed with the ideas of appeasement as

a deterrent for military aggression presented to Germany.

These two historical occasions promoted a general distrust of a

strong united Germany. Both times in history after the conclusions of

the wars Germany was used for its large production capabilities and

natural resources. The first time was to pay back large war debt

acquired by Britain and France. The second was during the cold war and

Germany was split between the two super powers. Thus, the development

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