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 CHAPTER II

THE GERMAN EMPIRE AND PAN-GERMANISM

DOMINION OR DOWNFALL

General Significance of Pan-Germanism: Meaning of the term—Bismarck and the creation of the German Empire—Conditions developing Pan-Germanism—Commercial development—Population—Restricted territory—Inadequate seaports—Britain mistress of the seas—Colonies—Pan-Germanist proposals—The desired territorial expansion— Thwarted by Britain, France, and Russia—Why Britain is an obstacle to German expansion—and France and Russia. Dominion or Downfall: The ruling principle of the German Empire—Its realisation must be prevented—King William crowned Emperor at Versailles—Refused to recognise the people—Prussia the leading power in the empire—Universal suffrage—The Bundesrath—The Kaiser an absolute monarch— Rules through Prussia—Germany the most reactionary force in international politics —Prussia and despotism—A war State—The rest of Germany leaves everything to Prussia and the Kaiser—The House of Hohenzollern—An upstart dynasty—The Kaiser —His views as to his office—Rules by divine right—Brooks no opposition—The views of Frederick the Great—The constitution of the empire—Legislation—The executive is entrusted to the King of Prussia—The Chancellor—Responsible only to the Emperor —The Reichstag—Its limited powers—A mere debating society—Local governments— Prussia—The Landtag and its monstrous electoral system—The Botzav family—The Press—German indifference to autocracy—The "Captain" of Koepenick—The Kaiser's complex personality—But fundamentally a Hohenzollern and Absolutist.

THE expression Pan-Germanism is equivalent to All- Germanism, or "Germany Everywhere." It is the title of, and also well summarises, a movement in Germany which is at once a doctrine, a policy, and a faith. One might almost term it a Political Religion. In fact, as will be seen later, modern Germany appears, so far as the leaders of her thought and action are concerned and their opinions may be felt, to be leaving behind the historical religions, and substituting in their place another called and worshipped as Pan- Germanism.

Pan-Germanism is an outcome and a. development of the great strides Germany, since the foundation of the empire in 1871, has made in population, commerce, culture, and national wealth and consciousness. Its more decided growth as a practical and progressive policy has taken place, however, only since, and during, the latter half of the Kaiser's occupation of the German