Germany's Aims in the First World War (German title: Griff nach der Weltmacht: Die Kriegzielpolitik des kaiserlichen Deutschland 1914–1918) is a book by German historian Fritz Fischer. It is one of the leading contributions to historical analysis of the causes of World War I, and along with this work War of Illusions(Krieg der Illusionen) gave rise to the "Fischer Thesis" on the causes of the war. The title translates as "Grab for World Power".[1] or "Bid for World Power".[2] Essentially Fischer attempts to link together a continuum of German belligerence in its "grab for power" weaving it all together into a cohesive theme of German Weltpolitik.[3]
Griff nach der Weltmacht was published in October 1961. It was published in Britain under the title Germany's Aims in the First World War in 1967, translated by C.A. Macartney with an introduction by James Joll.[2] The book included a memorandum by the then German Chancellor Bethmann-Hollweg dated 9 September 1914 which set out a plan for Germany to dominate Europe.[4]
Fischer argued that Germany had a policy of deliberately provoking war during July 1914 and that during the war Germany developed a set of annexationist war aims similar to those of Adolf Hitler during the Second World War.[5] On publication, the book caused controversy in West Germany as it challenged the view that Hitler was an aberration by emphasising the continuity in German foreign policy in 1914 and 1939.[6] The book was also controversial for challenging the established view that Germany did not bear the primary responsibility for outbreak of the war, the so-called "war guilt lie". Fischer also claimed that German elites had wanted war since as early as 1912, with the victory of the SPD in the Reichstag.[7]
Academic reactionedit
The historian John Moses stated in his 1975 work The Politics of Illusion that "No serious German historian today can venture to pit himself against the evidence compiled by the Fischer school."[8] Fischer inspired several disciples, including the historian Imanuel Geiss.[7] However, Fischer was ridiculed by conservative German historians who created a backlash against his ideas.[7] The most notable critic was conservative historian and patriot Gerhard Ritter, who is said to have broken down in tears when lecturing on Fischer's line of argument in Griff nach der Weltmacht.[2] Fischer's ideas were welcomed in communist East Germany; the Marxist historian and Stasi informer Fritz Klein considered Fischer's views to be uncontroversial.[9]
Mombauer argues that Fischer's work led to greater discussion of the Holocaust by German history professors.[10] A number of German and British historians find the assertions of Fischer a glaring oversimplification of how the First World War developed, arguing that is decidedly disingenuous given the complexity of the situation as a whole - especially since parts of the evidence for German war aims (i.e. belligerence) from before the Great War were collected amid the fringe writings of Pan-Germans or were parceled together from Kaiser Wilhelm's rantings; none of which constituted official state policy.[11]
Stephen A. Schuker, writing in 2015, notes that although Fischer's book aroused great controversy when it was published, "Fischer's work made its way. Refinements by Immanuel Geiss, John Röhl, Holger Afflerbach, Annika Mombauer, and others have confirmed the essentials".[12]
^Trachtenberg, Marc, History and strategy, 1st ed, Princeton University Press, ISBN0-691-02343-3, p49
^ abc"Obituary: Professor Fritz Fischer - Arts & Entertainment". The Independent. London. 1999-12-13. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
^Weltpolitik appeared previous to the First World War, shortly following unification and industrialization. It was employed by various groups and its true meaning has never be explicated at length or solely defined by anyone. Taken literally, the term Weltpolitik translates to ‘world politic” or ‘world policy.’ In this regard, it signified German foreign policy on the global stage. Often quoted by historians, Weltpolitik generally refers to German diplomatic efforts starting around 1890 up until the First World War, which were characterized by German political assertiveness and aggression. More accurately perhaps, Weltpolitik encompassed the outward expansion and securing of German industrial markets for which colonialism/imperialism were a part. It is frequently attributed to Admiral Tipitz’s naval policies, subsumed of course by the naval war race. For more on the manifestation and implementation of the term Weltpolitik during the years 1890 through 1902, see: Konrad Canis, Von Bismarck zur Weltpolitik: Deutsche Aussenpolitik 1890 bis 1902 (Oldenbourg: Akademie Verlag, 1997).
^Hayes, Paul, Themes in modern European history, 1890-1945, p115
^Stibbe, Matthew, The Fischer Constrovery over German War aims in the First World War and its reception by East German Historians 1961-1989, The Historical Journal, 46, 3 (2003), pp. 649–668
^"The Causes of the First World War: The Fritz Fischer thesis". Blacksacademy.net. 1912-12-08. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
^ abc. Uweb.ucsb.edu. Archived from the original on 2009-10-14. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
^Moses, John, The Politics of Illusion, (London, 1975) p127
^Joll James, Martel, Gordon, The Origins of the First World War, Longman, 3rd ed, p6
^Annika Mombauer, The origins of the First World War: controversies and consensus (London, 2002), p. 129.
^Ferguson, Niall (1998). The Pity of War: Explaining World War I. New York: Basic Books. pp. 169–170. ISBN0-465-05712-8.
^Stephen A. Schuker, 'Old wine in new bottles', The New Criterion (January 2015), p. 85.
External linksedit
Löffelbein, Nils: War Aims and War Aims Discussions (Germany), in: 1914-1918-online. International Encyclopedia of the First World War.
Mulligan, William: The Historiography of the Origins of the First World War, in: 1914-1918-online. International Encyclopedia of the First World War.
April 11, 2024
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Germany s Aims in the First World War German title Griff nach der Weltmacht Die Kriegzielpolitik des kaiserlichen Deutschland 1914 1918 is a book by German historian Fritz Fischer It is one of the leading contributions to historical analysis of the causes of World War I and along with this work War of Illusions Krieg der Illusionen gave rise to the Fischer Thesis on the causes of the war The title translates as Grab for World Power 1 or Bid for World Power 2 Essentially Fischer attempts to link together a continuum of German belligerence in its grab for power weaving it all together into a cohesive theme of German Weltpolitik 3 Germany s Aims in the First World WarAuthorFritz FischerOriginal titleGriff nach der Weltmacht Die Kriegzielpolitik des kaiserlichen Deutschland 1914 1918CountryGermanyLanguageGermanGenreHistoryPublisherW W Norton amp CompanyPublication date1961Published in English1967ISBN0 393 09798 6 Contents 1 Publication 2 Controversy 3 Academic reaction 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksPublication editGriff nach der Weltmacht was published in October 1961 It was published in Britain under the title Germany s Aims in the First World War in 1967 translated by C A Macartney with an introduction by James Joll 2 The book included a memorandum by the then German Chancellor Bethmann Hollweg dated 9 September 1914 which set out a plan for Germany to dominate Europe 4 Controversy editMain article Fischer controversy Fischer argued that Germany had a policy of deliberately provoking war during July 1914 and that during the war Germany developed a set of annexationist war aims similar to those of Adolf Hitler during the Second World War 5 On publication the book caused controversy in West Germany as it challenged the view that Hitler was an aberration by emphasising the continuity in German foreign policy in 1914 and 1939 6 The book was also controversial for challenging the established view that Germany did not bear the primary responsibility for outbreak of the war the so called war guilt lie Fischer also claimed that German elites had wanted war since as early as 1912 with the victory of the SPD in the Reichstag 7 Academic reaction editThe historian John Moses stated in his 1975 work The Politics of Illusion that No serious German historian today can venture to pit himself against the evidence compiled by the Fischer school 8 Fischer inspired several disciples including the historian Imanuel Geiss 7 However Fischer was ridiculed by conservative German historians who created a backlash against his ideas 7 The most notable critic was conservative historian and patriot Gerhard Ritter who is said to have broken down in tears when lecturing on Fischer s line of argument in Griff nach der Weltmacht 2 Fischer s ideas were welcomed in communist East Germany the Marxist historian and Stasi informer Fritz Klein considered Fischer s views to be uncontroversial 9 Mombauer argues that Fischer s work led to greater discussion of the Holocaust by German history professors 10 A number of German and British historians find the assertions of Fischer a glaring oversimplification of how the First World War developed arguing that is decidedly disingenuous given the complexity of the situation as a whole especially since parts of the evidence for German war aims i e belligerence from before the Great War were collected amid the fringe writings of Pan Germans or were parceled together from Kaiser Wilhelm s rantings none of which constituted official state policy 11 Stephen A Schuker writing in 2015 notes that although Fischer s book aroused great controversy when it was published Fischer s work made its way Refinements by Immanuel Geiss John Rohl Holger Afflerbach Annika Mombauer and others have confirmed the essentials 12 See also editArticle 231 of the Treaty of Versailles Causes of World War I Historiography of the causes of World War I Weltpolitik War guilt question War of Illusions Vienna Conference August 1 1917 Vienna Conference October 22 1917 Vienna Conference March 16 1917 References edit Trachtenberg Marc History and strategy 1st ed Princeton University Press ISBN 0 691 02343 3 p49 a b c Obituary Professor Fritz Fischer Arts amp Entertainment The Independent London 1999 12 13 Retrieved 2009 11 15 Weltpolitik appeared previous to the First World War shortly following unification and industrialization It was employed by various groups and its true meaning has never be explicated at length or solely defined by anyone Taken literally the term Weltpolitik translates to world politic or world policy In this regard it signified German foreign policy on the global stage Often quoted by historians Weltpolitik generally refers to German diplomatic efforts starting around 1890 up until the First World War which were characterized by German political assertiveness and aggression More accurately perhaps Weltpolitik encompassed the outward expansion and securing of German industrial markets for which colonialism imperialism were a part It is frequently attributed to Admiral Tipitz s naval policies subsumed of course by the naval war race For more on the manifestation and implementation of the term Weltpolitik during the years 1890 through 1902 see Konrad Canis Von Bismarck zur Weltpolitik Deutsche Aussenpolitik 1890 bis 1902 Oldenbourg Akademie Verlag 1997 Hayes Paul Themes in modern European history 1890 1945 p115 Stibbe Matthew The Fischer Constrovery over German War aims in the First World War and its reception by East German Historians 1961 1989 The Historical Journal 46 3 2003 pp 649 668 The Causes of the First World War The Fritz Fischer thesis Blacksacademy net 1912 12 08 Retrieved 2009 11 15 a b c WWI Origins Uweb ucsb edu Archived from the original on 2009 10 14 Retrieved 2009 11 15 Moses John The Politics of Illusion London 1975 p127 Joll James Martel Gordon The Origins of the First World War Longman 3rd ed p6 Annika Mombauer The origins of the First World War controversies and consensus London 2002 p 129 Ferguson Niall 1998 The Pity of War Explaining World War I New York Basic Books pp 169 170 ISBN 0 465 05712 8 Stephen A Schuker Old wine in new bottles The New Criterion January 2015 p 85 External links editLoffelbein Nils War Aims and War Aims Discussions Germany in 1914 1918 online International Encyclopedia of the First World War Mulligan William The Historiography of the Origins of the First World War in 1914 1918 online International Encyclopedia of the First World War Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Germany 27s Aims in the First World War amp oldid 1208479064, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
