Introduction: German Questions History 323 / Jan. 7, 2013
1. Who are the Germans? (And who aren’t Germans?)
people who speak the German language?
Contemporary German language groups
1. Who are the Germans? (And who aren’t Germans?) people who speak the German language? a category of ethnic descent?
1. Who are the Germans? (And who aren’t Germans?) people who speak the German language? a category of ethnic descent? people who share in Germany’s “community of fate”?
2. How important is German-ness with respect to other identities?
local / regional
2. How important is German-ness with respect to other identities? local / regional dynastic
2. How important is German-ness with respect to other identities? local / regional dynastic religious
2. How important is German-ness with respect to other identities? local / regional dynastic religious class
3. What political form, if any, should bind German lands together?
Empire
The Holy Roman Empire, ca. 1200
Otto III Holy Roman Emperor, A.D
3. What political form, if any, should bind German lands together? Empire Federation
The German Confederation
3. What political form, if any, should bind German lands together? Empire Federation Nation-state
Contemporary Germany
4. What are the implications of German strength (or weakness) in the center of Europe?
German weakness gives outside powers a strategic interest in German affairs
4. What are the implications of German strength (or weakness) in the center of Europe? German weakness gives outside powers a strategic interest in German affairs German strength tends to destabilize Europe
5. What form of civilization does Germany represent?
Western civilization?
5. What form of civilization does Germany represent? Western civilization? A unique (and allegedly superior) culture?
5. What form of civilization does Germany represent? Western civilization? A unique (and allegedly superior) culture? Proletarian consciousness?
5. What form of civilization does Germany represent? Western civilization? A unique (and allegedly superior) culture? Proletarian consciousness? Cosmopolitan Europeans / citizens of the world