Compared to previous wars, the scale of World War I required complete commitment from the nations involved in terms of troops and resources. In Germany this helped promote a sense of nationalism, and all Germans began to consider themselves as having a stake in the success of the war. Frietsche describes 1914 as a turning point where Germany was not united behind the Kaiser or the German state, but that the country began to rally together as a nation of the German people.
Support for the war was not universal. Many groups had opposed the war, and Frietzsche notes that there were attempted protests, and that while many took to the streets in 1914 there was not a universal sense of the glory of war, and that many were not excited about fighting. However it was clear that they were all Germans, and that they were in it together.
We've spent the last month talking about different groups in German society, and how thPoey effected the direction of Germany. The successes and failures of political leaders, and political parties had played large roles in getting to 1914. However with Burgfrieden it seemed there was a temporary new order where everyone had to work together for the good of the country. Fears of socialism were put on hold, and all groups worked together to support the troops, and there families who were frequently in dire straits. War bonds were bought, and at least early on there was relatively little unrest until famines, and failures started to turn the tide of popular attitudes. World War I was the people's war even if they didn's start it.
Politically Germans would not continue to agree. Later on some wanted to pull back, and some felt that the elites had sold the German army out by pulling back. The Conservatives and Social Democrats would continue to fight, and the party that later became the Nazis was formed even if it didn't have full traction during this period. What had been established though was that everyone had a stake in Germany. From this point there weren't Prussians, or Bavarians, or Wurtenbergs. German unification was complete, and the German people would suffer together because of the war. There was a power vacuum for a new Germany, and the people would have a say in Germany's future for better or for worse.
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"The people's war even if they didn't start it" indeed. Germans were looking for an exercise of togetherness since the wars of unification. They got it in World War I. The personal records are astounding. The love letters, the mail in general, diaries, the poetry... Truly unique in their military glory. I could see being a German guy around then, being deeply embarassed to tell people you weren't enlisted
ReplyDeleteNationalism has played such an important role throughout German history that it is very important to note its influence on the people in World War I. It seems that foreign disputes have been very effective at deterring domestic unrest (think Bismarck) and this is no exception here. The German people put their differences aside when larger issues arise that warrant the pause of these domestic conflicts. Since everyone had a vested interest in the war (with boys at war, total mobilization, and effects on their daily lives) they saw the importance of joining together creating an "us vs. them" mentality where without mass support, the conflict would end in their destruction.
ReplyDeleteYou have hit on the heart of Fritzsche's argument about how the war opens the door for a new vision of Germany's future in which the people themselves will play a much greater role in shaping society. Both comments also raise important point: one on the inclusive nature of the nationalism and the pressure that the war effort created and the other on how the war continued issues of displacing domestic policies with foreign affairs. The questioned would be whether or not you agree with Fritzsche's analysis that the unity created by the war was more genuine and 'deeper' than the former instances of rallying to the national cause.
ReplyDeleteI like the argument you make in your concluding paragraph where you talk about German unification coming together as differing pieces of society laid claim to their interests effected by the government. It is an interesting point, an a continuation of what arises in the late nineteenth century with mass politics becoming an increasing significant theme. The peoples of Germany, with vast social, economic, and political differences found their most common ground in the the struggle for power. Ultimately, it proved to take an incredibly dedicated political party to harness this grassroots power and change Germany.
ReplyDeleteI like your point regarding the absence of Prussians and Bavarians. This really was the first time that Germans realized the power rested amongst themselves. Germany's unification brought about a whole new realm of possibilities, for better or worse. Regardless of the struggles in post-war Germany, it is very significant how Junkers, aristocrats, etc. were no longer the driving forces behind Germany.
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