In the development of Germany’s international relations over the whole period 1890-1990, how far can the Second World War be seen as a key turning point?

World War II

Introduction

Different writers have defined international relations in different ways. One writer defined international relations as the relationship that is established between different states. Another writer defined international relations as the facet of connections and relations of self-governing political societies in which a number of components of disagreement, resistance, or difference of purpose or concern is there. Different states need to have a relationship with each other so as to make sure these states are able to help each other.

Some states establish international relations so that they can trade freely with each
other while others establish these relationships so as to gain other benefits like protections. Therefore, each and every nation will need to establish their international relations based on the different reasons[1]. German as a state wanted to establish international relations with different nations so that they could gain the advantages that are gained from good international relations. There were several things that contributed towards the development of international relations in Germany and this paper aims at discussing different reasons for the development of international relations in Germany.

Discussion

During the development of Germans international relations, the Second World War was the key turning point for Germans and because of this war. So much had happened during the Second World War and so much had change. The Germans felt the need to develop international relations because of the following factors;

Politico-geographic setting

The setting of the world in terms of its politico-geographic had changed a lot by the end of the Second World War. Several states had been developed and therefore, the Germans felt the need to familiarise themselves with these new states and therefore, international relations where created[2]. Germany faced the problem of instability and financial problems and therefore needed the help of the other surrounding nations for the country to stand again well and to make sure that, there was no more war that was going to happen again.

Modernisation and development race

Like any other nation, German wanted modernization and development for its people especially after the severe war. Therefore, they felt the need for international relations so as to make sure they could gain knowledge on modernization from the other countries that were more modernised. Because of this, the Germans ended up making sure that there were international relations amongst different countries in the world.

After the Second World War, German was left poor because they had to provide food for its soldiers as well as other needed supplies that the soldiers wanted. Therefore, the country was left with little or no food and therefore, modernization was important for them[3].

Nation-state

Since Germany was left as a weaker country after the Second World War, they needed protection from other countries that were much stronger than them. Because of this need, they resulted in starting to establish international relations with different nations. This also ensured that the country was protected at all time and that the other countries would not want to go to war with the Germans. Since the Germans were the ones who had started the war and ended up being defeated, they needed protection by the countries that were much stronger than them so that the other countries would not go to war with them to revenge the other countries.

Democratization of International Politics

Many people in different parts of the world did not have a say. The majority of the people had no say in the government. Diplomacy was contacted only by the few small privileged states. Many people in politics and with power in the world started practicing their politics they way they wanted. At the end of the Second World War, many states that were colonized gained their freedom and therefore felt the need to international relations. Germany being in the midst of developed European countries also felt the need to international relations since they had been adversely affected by the Second World War[4].

Weakened Germany

As the Germans fought in the Second World War, they became very quick and were not the greatest nation it used to be before the Second World War. Therefore, the country felt that they could not survive; they did not even have the will to live. So as to survive in the world of competition, they had to establish good international relations with the stronger nations so that they could get the benefits of being friends with these stronger nations. The Germans had been weakened both in terms of military, finance, food production etc, and therefore, they needed help from different nations so that they could stand again as a nation. Therefore, in order for them to achieve their dream of being a strong nation again, they needed to have a good international relations as this would help them in making sure that, they could get help from other nations like the loans, and at the same time, they could seek protection from these strong nations if need be.

End of Bipolarity

In the period between 1962 and 1972 there was a lot of confusion and revolution in the history of international system. USSR and China and USA and therefore, USA had to readjust its relationship with the European countries Germany being one of them.  Germany felt that they needed help from the other countries who were much stronger than them[5]. On the other hand, USA wanted to have an international relation with the German so as to make sure that the cold war that was happening could end without them being defeated. Each and every nation wanted to protect themselves from the other nations who were their possible enemies. This they could do through the establishment of international relations which helped to make sure that there was no more war that was going to happen in the future.

Second World War was not the key turning point of international relations in Germany

After the Second World War, a lot of things had changed; the world was changing at a high rate because different people from the different parts of the world started looking at life differently. Therefore, international relations were a must to establish because; all the other countries were establishing these international relations. Germany did not want to be left behide in establishing the international relations. The Second World War was not the turning point for the international relations in Germany. It was due to the fact that all other countries in the whole world were establishing these international relations; therefore, Germany had to follow others if it needed to survive. Different countries wanted to work together so as to make sure that there were development in their countries in terms of economy, politics, etc. because of this, Germany needed to join with these countries so that they could also help the country in its development. Therefore, it means that, even if the Second World War had not taken place, Germans would still want to establish international relations because it was something that was happening all over the world and therefore, they could not be left alone without having established international relations[6].

Other things that were the key turning point of international relations in Germany

Revolutions

Several revolutions took place after the Second World War and the Germans did not want to be left behide as the other countries experienced the revolution. The Germans also wanted to experience the revolution that was taking place in different parts of the world. information revolution took place in almost all parts of the world and therefore, Germany being one of the biggest nations did not want to be left behide and therefore, made sure that, international relations were established so as to gain the benefits of knowledge revolution that was taking place all over the world.

Revolution of information such as introductions of newspapers and TV sets saw the Germans revolutionize in that aspect. These kinds of information were able to provide the correct information about the situation in their country.

Technology revolution started to take place in that time after the Second World War and therefore, Germany did not want to be left behide as the world changed in technology. Today’s age has been called, the century of technology. Technology has been revolving the last centuries and therefore, Germans also wanted to experience the new technologies that were being invented in different parts of the world like USA and therefore, they sought to make sure that international relations were established so that they could gain knowledge on the new technologies that were emerging in different parts of the world. Development of international relations was vital to the Germans so that they could establish trust with the other countries that were surrounding them and therefore, gain the advantage of the emerging new technologies[7].

Politics

The Germany needed support on politics from different parts of the world and especially from the strong nations. Therefore, international relations were important for this nation so as to establish a stable political base. The country made sure that they had good relations with the other nations so that they could get their support in terms of politics.

Industrialization

Industrialization started to take place during that period, the Germans were not left behide and therefore, industrialization took place in their country as well. New machineries were established which resulted in production of many produce in the country. International relations were therefore important for this country since they needed to learn a lot of things from the other countries. They needed to lend their skills on industrialization and also needed to borrow skills from other nations.

Movement needs

Some of the people of Germans felt the need to travel to different parts of the world. Young people needed to go to other countries and study. Other people needed to do business and trade with other countries. This meant that different people were moving from Germany to other parts of the world. Other people from different parts of the world were also coming to Germany because of one reason or another. Because of this, the Germany country felt that they needed to have good international relations so as to make it easier for his people to travel to different parts of the world.

Request from other nations

Some other nations wanted to establish international relationship with Germans and therefore, they would request the Germany nations to establish their international relations with the nation. Different countries wanted to trade with Germans and therefore, they wanted to establish good relations with them. The Germans also wanted to trade with the other countries as well; therefore, they also needed to establish good international relations with the other countries of the world. Trading is very important for all the countries; therefore, for the Germans to trade freely with other people in the whole world, they needed to establish good international relations with different nations so that they could trade well and peacefully with these different nations[8].

Conclusion

Each and every country needs to have good international relations with other nations so that they could live peacefully with others. Germany is no exception. After the Second World War, the country was left very weak in terms of politics, finance as well as economy. The people were weak and hungry. Many had died and others were maimed and were very unproductive in the country[9]. Therefore, the Germans could not provide themselves well and therefore, needed the help of other nations so that they could stand on their feet again.

On the other hand, the nations kept changing their way of operation. Most of the nations were establishing international relations. Germany did not want to be left behide as the other nations united together. Therefore, this led to the development of international relations. They made sure that they kept with the trend that was happening in the whole world and did not want to be called undeveloped country. Revolution was also taking place during that time and therefore, Germany wanted to enjoy the benefits of international relations and therefore, this led to the greater development of international relations.

References

Burchill, S. & Linklater, A. (2005). Introduction: Theories of International Relations, ed. Scott Burchill

Gareau, F. (1961). Morgenthau's Plan for Industrial Disarmament in Germany: Western Political Quarterly: University of Utah

Henry A. (1985), German Big Business and the Rise of Hitler, Oxford University Press.

Lester, C. (1946). Secrets By The Thousands, Harper’s Magazine.

Overy, R. (1999) Germany, ‘Domestic Crisis’ and War in 1939,Leitz Blackwell: Oxford. 

Sohn-Rethel, A. (1978) Economy and Class Structure of German Fascism, CSE Books.

<< Interview with Gunther Harkort Representative of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Economic Cooperation Administration (ECA), 1949-1952.

<<Interview with General Lucius D. Clay Deputy to U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1945; deputy military governor, Germany (U.S.) 1946; commander in chief, U.S. Forces in Europe and military governor, U.S. Zone, Germany, 1947–49; retired 1949.

<<Interview with General William Henry Draper Jr. Chief, Economics Division, Control Council for Germany, 1945–1946; Military Government Adviser to the Secretary of State, Moscow Conference of Foreign Ministers, 1947; Under Secretary of War, 1947; Under Secretary of the &lt

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[1] Burchill, S. & Linklater, A. (2005). Introduction: Theories of International Relations, ed. Scott Burchill

[2] Henry A. (1985), German Big Business and the Rise of Hitler, Oxford University Press.

[3] Lester, C. (1946). Secrets By The Thousands, Harper’s Magazine.

[4] Overy, R. (1999) Germany, ‘Domestic Crisis’ and War in 1939,Leitz Blackwell: Oxford.           

Sohn-Rethel, A. (1978) Economy and Class Structure of German Fascism, CSE Books.

[5] <<Interview with General William Henry Draper Jr. Chief, Economics Division, Control Council for Germany, 1945–1946; Military Government Adviser to the Secretary of State, Moscow Conference of Foreign Ministers, 1947; Under Secretary of War, 1947.

[6] <

international-relations-after-world-war-ii.html

[7] <<Interview with General William Henry Draper Jr. Chief, Economics Division, Control Council for Germany, 1945–1946; Military Government Adviser to the Secretary of State, Moscow Conference of Foreign Ministers, 1947; Under Secretary of War, 1947.

[8] Gareau, F. (1961). Morgenthau's Plan for Industrial Disarmament in Germany: Western Political Quarterly: University of Utah

[9] Overy, R. (1999) Germany, ‘Domestic Crisis’ and War in 1939,Leitz Blackwell: Oxford.