The Question of German Unification

Imanuel Geiss is Emeritus Professor of history at Bremen University. His publications include 8 July 1914, The Pan-African Movement, Geschichte griffbereit, Geschichte im Überblick, Europa - Einheit und Vielfalt, Der Jugoslawienkrieg, Geschichte des Rassismus and Der Zerfall der Sowjetunion., Fred Bridgham is the author of studies of Rilke, Kafka and Nietzsche, and of other essays on German history and culture. His most recent book is The Friendly German-English Dictionary (Libris, 1996). He translated Hans Werner Henze's Der Prinz von Homburg for performance by English National Opera.

The course of recent German history has been volatile. Events such as the collapse of European Communism and German reunification have brought issues of Germany's status into the arena of world politics. "The Question of German Unification" presents an introduction to the last two centuries of German history and addresses questions raised by the status of Germany as a single or split national state, arguing that Germany has fluctuated frequently and catastrophically between being the power center of Europe or a power vacuum. Describing the special features of German history, this volume looks at Germany within a European context. Long-term structures and processes are evaluated along with discussion of recent political events. Reflecting on the irrationalities of German history, Imanuel Geiss surveys how they have been explained by historians, and provides a succinct and readable account of the complex issues involved.

Introduction to English edition; Chapter 1 Conceptual and European framework; Chapter 2 From power vacuum to power centre; Chapter 3 Germany as a power centre; Chapter 4 Germany as a power vacuum; Chapter 5 United Germany since 1989/90;