Before too long, European history will likely be re-rewritten: as the EU incites more Russophobia, the ghosts--rather: demons--of the past rearing their ugly heads once more
Empire has aims, and the strategy and tactics to achieve them. Whatever happens in Germany (and Europe in general) is largely the result of that strategy. Europeans provide just the flavoring.
Interesting. I am no history buff, but I had been under the impression that, historically, Russo-German relations were pretty good, actually, except for the two world wars, which were an aberration of sorts. (After all, Germans of various stripes were allied with Russia against Napoleon.) And Lenin was famously a German agent, until things got out of hand (hehe).
As for the German yearning for a war against Russia: so, they are now trying to use the United States as a proxy? Which (the US) is using Ukraine as a proxy, but is throwing in the towel, and I suspect will end up giving up on (continental) Europe entirely in the not too distant future. Awkward, innit?
Could it be that the German elite was highly anti-Russian, but that the sentiments were only returned after the Soviet Union was invaded in WWII? I mean, Russian tsars kept marrying German princesses, didn't they? The later Romanovs were basically German by blood. And one of the greatest Russian monarchs, Catherine the Great, was born and raised German.
Hard to say, I think it's a kind of love-hate relationship: love 'em because they (or at least their elites) are very Germanised, hate 'em because they are, technically speaking, Slavs.
I do tend to consider Bismarck one of the few sane--and lone--thinkers among the self-professed 'poets and thinkers' (orig. Dichter und Denker)…
My point was: Russians (at least the elites) don't seem to have been anti-German historically. Even after WWII, there was GDR, which was an ally. The high priest of communism (Marx) was German, and before that, tsars (or heirs to the throne, whatever) kept marrying German princesses. And if you read Russian literature (Tolstoy, Turgenev...), Germans come across as likeable enough, generally speaking. Of course, I don't know how the lower classes saw it.
BTW, wasn't/isn't Putin himself something of a Germanophile? I've heard it said that he took German actions concerning Ukraine (including Merkel's comments about how the Mink agreements were just a matter of buying time for Ukraine) rather personally. Well, that could all be psycho-nonsense, of course, but maybe there's something to it.
Well, you know that things--such as knives, and geopolitics--cut both ways.
Mr. Putin spoke--in German (!!!)--in the Bundestag in Sept. 2001, arguing for a 'common European culture' and offering Germany (and Europe, by extension), a deal.
This is the background to Mr. Schröder and Mr. Putin formalising the construction of Nord Stream in 2005.
I don't want to invoke any 'psycho-nonsense' either, but Mr. Putin put Germany on the spot; now we probably need to discuss what kind of (blackmail) the US might have over German--and European--elites…
Always appreciate your historical run-downs. Very educational, and always a treat to learn what's been left out of the school-books.
Cheers!
Also, these things are in (some) textbooks, but they must, of course, serve one specific purpose…
Empire has aims, and the strategy and tactics to achieve them. Whatever happens in Germany (and Europe in general) is largely the result of that strategy. Europeans provide just the flavoring.
I do agree on this one w/respect to the 'elites™' (s)elected to govern--rather: rule--the rabble over here.
I tend to disagree w/respect to the sentiments shared by a sizeable chunk of, well, the rabble over here.
Needless to say, your point stands.
Interesting. I am no history buff, but I had been under the impression that, historically, Russo-German relations were pretty good, actually, except for the two world wars, which were an aberration of sorts. (After all, Germans of various stripes were allied with Russia against Napoleon.) And Lenin was famously a German agent, until things got out of hand (hehe).
As for the German yearning for a war against Russia: so, they are now trying to use the United States as a proxy? Which (the US) is using Ukraine as a proxy, but is throwing in the towel, and I suspect will end up giving up on (continental) Europe entirely in the not too distant future. Awkward, innit?
Could it be that the German elite was highly anti-Russian, but that the sentiments were only returned after the Soviet Union was invaded in WWII? I mean, Russian tsars kept marrying German princesses, didn't they? The later Romanovs were basically German by blood. And one of the greatest Russian monarchs, Catherine the Great, was born and raised German.
Hard to say, I think it's a kind of love-hate relationship: love 'em because they (or at least their elites) are very Germanised, hate 'em because they are, technically speaking, Slavs.
I do tend to consider Bismarck one of the few sane--and lone--thinkers among the self-professed 'poets and thinkers' (orig. Dichter und Denker)…
My point was: Russians (at least the elites) don't seem to have been anti-German historically. Even after WWII, there was GDR, which was an ally. The high priest of communism (Marx) was German, and before that, tsars (or heirs to the throne, whatever) kept marrying German princesses. And if you read Russian literature (Tolstoy, Turgenev...), Germans come across as likeable enough, generally speaking. Of course, I don't know how the lower classes saw it.
BTW, wasn't/isn't Putin himself something of a Germanophile? I've heard it said that he took German actions concerning Ukraine (including Merkel's comments about how the Mink agreements were just a matter of buying time for Ukraine) rather personally. Well, that could all be psycho-nonsense, of course, but maybe there's something to it.
Well, you know that things--such as knives, and geopolitics--cut both ways.
Mr. Putin spoke--in German (!!!)--in the Bundestag in Sept. 2001, arguing for a 'common European culture' and offering Germany (and Europe, by extension), a deal.
EDIT: forgot to include the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0_0WqUuh9E
This is the background to Mr. Schröder and Mr. Putin formalising the construction of Nord Stream in 2005.
I don't want to invoke any 'psycho-nonsense' either, but Mr. Putin put Germany on the spot; now we probably need to discuss what kind of (blackmail) the US might have over German--and European--elites…
And then some, in terms of awkward-ness.
Always interesting and well written and full of things I want to comment-on!
I'll be quiet and just praise in this post. Good writing!
Hi Perry, thanks for reading and the nice words, which I do appreciate.
No need to hold back on commenting!
Herr Epimetheus
Thank you for in depth analysis of the German nation last century
The self reflection and acceptance of their own actions that led to an extreme form of governance and identity so it may never happen again is unique
The Francophone glorifies their bloodiest revolution (guillotine)that led to a Bonaparte warring all across Europa
No self reflection has been noticed in their culture or country to counter this mind set
Why would that be?
Love your missives
Tusen Takk