Germany : the tides of power

Bibliographic Information

Germany : the tides of power

Michael Balfour

Routledge, 1992

  • : pbk

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Note

Includes bibliographical references (p. 259-264) and index

Description and Table of Contents

Volume

ISBN 9780415067874

Description

In Germany - The Tides of Power, Michael Balfour sets out to explain the factors which have shaped the German social, political and economic character. Tracing the movement of power from the Middle Ages onwards, he seeks to lead the reader to an understanding of modern Germany - why Germany precipitated, and lost, two major wars this century; how the astonishing growth of wealth over the last half-century was achieved; the meaning behind the recent unification of Germany. As German economic expansion continues into the 1990's, Professor Balfour discusses the power held by this technologically advanced nation - and considers the acceptance of this power by the rest of the world.

Table of Contents

1. From Tribe to National State: the First Reich 2. The Second Reich 3. The First Attempt at Democracy 4. The Third Reich 5. The Post-war Settlement 6. Towards Two Germanies 7. Crisis and Miracle: 1948-1949 8. The German Republics are Founded 9. Rearmament and the Restoration of Sovereignty 10. Adenauer's High Noon 11. The Erhard Interlude 12. The Great Coalition 13. The Brandt Government 14. The Schmidt Government 15. The Kohl Government 16. The Impossible Happens : 1989-1990 17. What Now?
Volume

: pbk ISBN 9780415067881

Description

Michael Balfour sets out to explain the factors which have shaped Germany. A satisfactory understanding of the German situation, he feels, can only be gained by a full knowledge of German history from the Middle Ages. It is only this depth of historical insight which can lead the reader to a comprehension of modern Germany - why Germany precipitated - and lost - two major wars this century; the nature of the National Socialist regime; the recent unification of Germany - and the way forward. In examining the German social, political and economic character, Balfour traces the movement of power through the centuries. German history has been dominated by the failure of her medieval rulers to set up strong central governments such as England and France, and the author attributes Germany's position as an industrial backwater in the early 19th century to this early failure of rule. When Germany did achieve unity in 1914 and 1940 she wasted these opportunities in her attempts to gain world power. Balfour then examines by contrast, the astonishing growth of wealth over the last half-century, in which Germany has emerged from its "power vacuum" to dictate European interest rates. This book should be of interest to students and academics of history and politics, as well as general readers.

Table of Contents

1. From Tribe to National State: the First Reich 2. The Second Reich 3. The First Attempt at Democracy 4. The Third Reich 5. The Post-war Settlement 6. Towards Two Germanies 7. Crisis and Miracle: 1948-1949 8. The German Republics are Founded 9. Rearmament and the Restoration of Sovereignty 10. Adenauer's High Noon 11. The Erhard Interlude 12. The Great Coalition 13. The Brandt Government 14. The Schmidt Government 15. The Kohl Government 16. The Impossible Happens : 1989-1990 17. What Now?.

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