Ideas & Ideologies in Wilhelmine Germany

Nationalism

Nationalism was very present in Wilhelmine Germany:

Nationalism had become a progressive force
In early 20th Century, many nationalists were CONSERVATIVE
This was where Germans extolled the virtues of the German race
Militant German nationalists were HOSTILE to & contemptions of other races, especially the SLAV's
Nationalists had LITTLE RESPECT for minority languages & cultures
Wanted GERMANISATION of the minorities, such as the Poles, French and Danes
DISCRIMINATION AGAINST MINORITIES

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Anti-Semitism was very present by late 19th Century:

Many nationalists were anti-semitic
PERSECUTION of Jews in RUSSIA led to thousands fleeing to GERMANY
Many Jews were doctors, bankers, lawyers & academics
By 1900, Jews played an active & visible part in the cultural, economic & financial life of Germany
Many saw themselves as LOYAL GERMANS
However, anti-semitism was becoming more RACIAL than religios
Many writers claimed that Germans were the SELECTED RACE for DOMINATION

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Anti-Semitism began to grow:

German nationalists believed they were the MASTER RACE
However, the Jews also stood for what they believed in, such as LIBERALISM, SOCIALISM & PACIFISM
ANTI-SEMITISM was PRESENTED by NEWSPAPER EDITORS & POLITICIANS
Anti-Semitism might have been INFLUENCED by ECONOMIC FACTORS
Skilled workers & peasant farmers BLAMED JEWS for ECONOMIC DOWNFALLS
Anti-semitism was strongly felt amongst the ELITE & RIGHT WING PARTIES

However, the success of the nationalist parties was NOT due to anti-semitism in 1893.
In 1914, German JEWS seemed LESS a THREAT than IMPERIAL RUSSIANS OR FRENCH

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