Description
Book SynopsisOriginally published in 1950. Hans Gatzke analyzes Germany's ambitions to expand westward during World War I. Germany's wartime plans for expansion to the west had important repercussions at home and abroad. Gatzke proceeds chronologically, starting with the German political parties' outlining of their war aims. Gatzke claims that a combination of interests, including those of industrialists, pan-Germans, the parties of the Right, and the Supreme Command was responsible for the stubborn propagation of Germany's large war aims, which condemned the German people to remain at war until the bitter end. Each of these forces had its own particular reasons for wanting to hold out for far-reaching territorial gains, yet one aim that most of them had in common was ensuring, through a successful peace settlement, the continuation of the existing order, to their own advantage and to the political and economic detriment of the majority of the German people.
Table of ContentsIntroduction
Chapter 1. The Evolution of Western War Aims (August 1914–May 1915)
Chapter 2. A Period of Conflict – Chancellor vs. Annexationists (June 1915–August 1916)
Chapter 3. A House Divided – Chancellor vs. Supreme Command (September 1916–July 1917)
Chapter 4. The Strange Case of Georg Michaels (July 1917–October 1917)
Chapter 5. The Victor of the Annexationists–The Defeat of Germany (November 1917–September 1918)
Conclusion
Bibliographical Note
Index
