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German Unification
In 1871, after the Franco-Prussian war, all German states became unified under Prussia. In Wilhelm I's 'Proclamation of the German Empire', he addresses the obligation of the German citizens to protect the empire as well as to enjoy the peace that will come from years of fighting. By starting the Franco-Prussian war and uniting the German states, Wilhelm and Bismarck created a sense of unity and nationalism in the German people. -
Start of Wilhelm II's Reign
Wilhelm II's reign was the start of the trend towards colonial expansion and the build-up of Germany's naval force to compete with Britain's. Germany experienced a rapid growth in economic power and this increased tension between the two nations as Germany became a greater threat to Britain. In Wilhelm II's speech, "A Place in the Sun", he praises citizens who assist Germany's efforts to secure her place in the sun--overseas colonies. This increases nationalism as they unite against Britain. -
World War I
On 28 July, 1914 World War I began. In the swearing in of the new recruits at Potsdam in 1914, Kaiser Wilhelm II increased feelings of nationalism by making the recuits feel as though they were one and united them against the Allied powers. This war was, in part, caused by German nationalism generated after the unification of Germany under leadership of Prussia and the outcomes would lead to devastating consequences for Europe. -
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was signed at the end of World War I, when the Allied powers defeated Germany. Germany lost land and colonies, was forced to pay large-scale reparations, and was militarily restricted. The German people felt as though they had been used as a scapegoat and this fueled anger against the Allies, which strengthened the sense of nationalism and led to the outbreak of World War II. -
Hitler Becomes Chancellor
When Hitler was appointed chancellor, the Weimar Republic gave way to a one-party state. He used the Treaty of Versailles and nationalism to gain support from the German people. In his Proclamation to the German Nation in 1933, he promises to fix the wrongdoings the Germans experienced because of the Treaty of Versailles. The people unite under him and this increases nationalism as well as anger toward the Allies. -
Invasion of Poland Triggers World War II
In Germany, one of the central points of Nazism was nationalism. The Nazis needed the German people to feel a sense of pride toward their country, and victories helped them achieve this. In Hitler's speech in Danzig in 1939, he claims that Poland, which was formed from territories siezed from Germany in the Treaty of Versailles, will reduce to barbarism those areas which Germany rescued from barbarism. This unites the German people against the Allies once again, fueling nationalistic fervor.
