| Hysteria Part 1. The New Kid in Town is Strong, Handsome and Rich. |
Since Germany still faced possible threats from historically hostile France in the west and from
Russia in the east, Germany and Austria-Hungary agreed to form a Dual Alliance in 1879, becoming
a Triple Alliance when joining with Italy in 1882. Germany had nothing to gain from a European war.
Russia in the east, Germany and Austria-Hungary agreed to form a Dual Alliance in 1879, becoming
a Triple Alliance when joining with Italy in 1882. Germany had nothing to gain from a European war.
Germans were also enjoying good educations. By 1913,
there were only 9,000 university students in all of Britain as
compared with 60,000 in Germany. In the fields of science,
mathematics and technology, Germany was producing over
3,000 graduate engineers a year compared to Britain's 350
graduates in those fields! Imperial Germany was leading in
the sectors of physics and chemistry with one third of all
Nobel Prizes going to German researchers and inventors.
there were only 9,000 university students in all of Britain as
compared with 60,000 in Germany. In the fields of science,
mathematics and technology, Germany was producing over
3,000 graduate engineers a year compared to Britain's 350
graduates in those fields! Imperial Germany was leading in
the sectors of physics and chemistry with one third of all
Nobel Prizes going to German researchers and inventors.
Germany was doing very well at the dawn of the twentieth century and had a traditionally positive
image, especially in America. New in comparison to her European neighbors, the German Empire
was efficient, prosperous and well-respected around the world with rapidly growing industry. As a
sign of her economic and social health, Germany's population had increased dramatically. In 1871,
there were 41 million citizens in German Empire, and by 1913 there were nearly 68 million, an
increase of more than half, and they were for the most part enjoying a relatively high standard of
living, a good education and ample employment. Between 1871 and 1914, the new German nation
enjoyed 43 years of strength, beauty and peace. In fact, long before Germany became a nation, from
the time of the dark ages, Germany as such had a less aggressive past and more peaceful history than
her European neighbors and was the principal participant in less than a quarter of the wars of
England, Spain, Russia, or France.
image, especially in America. New in comparison to her European neighbors, the German Empire
was efficient, prosperous and well-respected around the world with rapidly growing industry. As a
sign of her economic and social health, Germany's population had increased dramatically. In 1871,
there were 41 million citizens in German Empire, and by 1913 there were nearly 68 million, an
increase of more than half, and they were for the most part enjoying a relatively high standard of
living, a good education and ample employment. Between 1871 and 1914, the new German nation
enjoyed 43 years of strength, beauty and peace. In fact, long before Germany became a nation, from
the time of the dark ages, Germany as such had a less aggressive past and more peaceful history than
her European neighbors and was the principal participant in less than a quarter of the wars of
England, Spain, Russia, or France.
Between German unification in 1871 and 1914, the Kaiserreich surpassed Britain's economic growth
rates as well. Germany's industrial development showed consistent growth and her steel, engineering,
chemical and armament industries were all prospering. At a time when economic strength was in the
production of steel and coal, Germany had multiplied its steel production by 12 times within 30 years
and her coal production by nearly five times.
rates as well. Germany's industrial development showed consistent growth and her steel, engineering,
chemical and armament industries were all prospering. At a time when economic strength was in the
production of steel and coal, Germany had multiplied its steel production by 12 times within 30 years
and her coal production by nearly five times.
Germany had the most efficient army in the world, the second largest navy and a fledgling Army Air
Service. In 1910, although Germany's new empire was still small compared to the avaricious British
Empire, which at one point controlled almost a quarter of the world's surface, Germany followed the
example of the other European empires by investing heavily in three areas of Africa as a source of
goods, resources and food.
Service. In 1910, although Germany's new empire was still small compared to the avaricious British
Empire, which at one point controlled almost a quarter of the world's surface, Germany followed the
example of the other European empires by investing heavily in three areas of Africa as a source of
goods, resources and food.
Her manufacturing grew by four times, her exports by three times, her export of chemicals by three
times and her exports of machinery by five times! Second only to America, Germany was the most
powerful industrial nation in the world in 1914. Even more stunning, by 1913, her share in
international trade had quadrupled within the previous thirty years. German manufacturers had begun
to capture domestic markets from British imports, and she was competition to British interests
abroad, particularly in the USA. On the continent, Germany became the dominant economic power
and she was the second largest exporting nation in the world after the USA.
times and her exports of machinery by five times! Second only to America, Germany was the most
powerful industrial nation in the world in 1914. Even more stunning, by 1913, her share in
international trade had quadrupled within the previous thirty years. German manufacturers had begun
to capture domestic markets from British imports, and she was competition to British interests
abroad, particularly in the USA. On the continent, Germany became the dominant economic power
and she was the second largest exporting nation in the world after the USA.
Left: a c.1900 photo of Teddy Roosevelt with Kaiser Wilhelm
inspecting German troops. Even in a 1915 book, Roosevelt
sympathized with the German position, saying: "attempts to
paint the Kaiser as a bloodthirsty devil were an absurdity" and
"as so often before in his personal and family life, he and his
family have given honorable proof that they possess the qualities
that are characteristic of the German people..The Germans,
from the highest to the lowest, have shown a splendid
patriotism. They themselves are fighting, each man for his own
hearthstone, for his own wife and children, and all for the future
existence of the generations yet to come...The Germans are not
merely brothers; they are largely ourselves."
inspecting German troops. Even in a 1915 book, Roosevelt
sympathized with the German position, saying: "attempts to
paint the Kaiser as a bloodthirsty devil were an absurdity" and
"as so often before in his personal and family life, he and his
family have given honorable proof that they possess the qualities
that are characteristic of the German people..The Germans,
from the highest to the lowest, have shown a splendid
patriotism. They themselves are fighting, each man for his own
hearthstone, for his own wife and children, and all for the future
existence of the generations yet to come...The Germans are not
merely brothers; they are largely ourselves."
There had been a well established and highly respected German minority for
generations in Britain. Hans Holbein and Georg Friedrich Händel were
among the Germans who once made England their home, and there were
4,000 members of German Lutheran churches in London as early as 1750.
From long before the days of their mutual cooperation in defeating
Napoleon through the time of Bismarck, friendship had thrived between
German lands and Britain. Not to mention, the Kaiser at the turn of the
century was half English and the English monarchs were a good part
German. Left: Kaiser Wilhelm (Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albert von Preußen) as a
child in the arms of his grandmother, Queen Victoria of Britain, in 1862.
generations in Britain. Hans Holbein and Georg Friedrich Händel were
among the Germans who once made England their home, and there were
4,000 members of German Lutheran churches in London as early as 1750.
From long before the days of their mutual cooperation in defeating
Napoleon through the time of Bismarck, friendship had thrived between
German lands and Britain. Not to mention, the Kaiser at the turn of the
century was half English and the English monarchs were a good part
German. Left: Kaiser Wilhelm (Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albert von Preußen) as a
child in the arms of his grandmother, Queen Victoria of Britain, in 1862.
Anti-German rioting, left, in London, Newcastle, Liverpool,
Manchester and elsewhere menaced the innocent in 1915.
It was likewise in Britain's crown dominions. Germans
were stripped of their civil rights, ripped from their jobs,
jailed for being spies or had their reputations ruined. Some
lost their homes and properties by deceit. Their churches
and schools were closed down and many faced internment.
Rioting in London actually resulted in a local shortage of
bread after so many German bakeries were vandalized,
with bags of flour dumped and loaves of bread smashed.
Manchester and elsewhere menaced the innocent in 1915.
It was likewise in Britain's crown dominions. Germans
were stripped of their civil rights, ripped from their jobs,
jailed for being spies or had their reputations ruined. Some
lost their homes and properties by deceit. Their churches
and schools were closed down and many faced internment.
Rioting in London actually resulted in a local shortage of
bread after so many German bakeries were vandalized,
with bags of flour dumped and loaves of bread smashed.
At the time, there were estimated to be 60,000 Germans, Austro-Hungarians and Turks in the
country as well as 8,000 other citizens of "enemy birth". In some cities, naturalized Germans were
pressured into signing statements expressing their desire to see "Britain win and Germany crushed".
Some newspapers called for the government to deport all German or Austrian citizens. The hate
even extended to names which simply sounded German. One mob smashed all of the windows of a
pub because they thought the Scottish landlord's name "Strachan" might be German.
country as well as 8,000 other citizens of "enemy birth". In some cities, naturalized Germans were
pressured into signing statements expressing their desire to see "Britain win and Germany crushed".
Some newspapers called for the government to deport all German or Austrian citizens. The hate
even extended to names which simply sounded German. One mob smashed all of the windows of a
pub because they thought the Scottish landlord's name "Strachan" might be German.
Soon, it would be America's turn, and the fleeting moment of mutual German pride and German
cultural unity would not survive the government propagandist's bloody swords. The young and
glorious German Empire, the envy of the world, would last less than a human lifetime before it was
cut off at the knees by the old, entrenched power structure, and when that occurred there was no
umbrella of protection for German culture in America. It would dissolve as quickly as it had emerged,
leaving vulnerable German Americans only one option: self defense; to prove themselves innocent
and verify their loyalty to America by a grueling standard set by the propagandists, one which was
not forced upon any other ethnic group. With this in mind, German Americans themselves often
played a role in abetting the rabid anti-Germanism soon to emerge by their self-defensive silence
when the injustice and violence was directed at others. After all, good Americans shut their mouths.
cultural unity would not survive the government propagandist's bloody swords. The young and
glorious German Empire, the envy of the world, would last less than a human lifetime before it was
cut off at the knees by the old, entrenched power structure, and when that occurred there was no
umbrella of protection for German culture in America. It would dissolve as quickly as it had emerged,
leaving vulnerable German Americans only one option: self defense; to prove themselves innocent
and verify their loyalty to America by a grueling standard set by the propagandists, one which was
not forced upon any other ethnic group. With this in mind, German Americans themselves often
played a role in abetting the rabid anti-Germanism soon to emerge by their self-defensive silence
when the injustice and violence was directed at others. After all, good Americans shut their mouths.
| Author Kurt Vonnegut, whose grandfather had founded the Indianapolis Turnverein, said: "The anti-Germanism in this country during the First World War so shamed and dismayed my parents that they resolved to raise me without acquainting me with the language or the literature or the music or the oral family histories which my ancestors had loved. They volunteered to make me ignorant and rootless as proof of their patriotism." |
The patriotism, bravery and friendship of Peter Muhlenberg and Baron von Steuben, the critical role
John Peter Zenger played in ensuring we maintain freedom of the press, the contributions of artists
such as Thomas Nast and Albert Bierstadt, the achievement of John Augustus Roebling in building
the Brooklyn Bridge along with the other numerous and vital contributions to this great nation made
by German Americans were soon to be ignorred, minimized and even intentionally misconstrued.
John Peter Zenger played in ensuring we maintain freedom of the press, the contributions of artists
such as Thomas Nast and Albert Bierstadt, the achievement of John Augustus Roebling in building
the Brooklyn Bridge along with the other numerous and vital contributions to this great nation made
by German Americans were soon to be ignorred, minimized and even intentionally misconstrued.
The start of the new century was a time of alliances, and the next decade saw revolutionary changes
in Britain's foreign policy as she began to, in some eyes, strengthen her defenses, or alternately, to
prepare for war. She gained an alliance with Japan in 1902 and created a Committee of Imperial
Defence in 1903, resulting in the Anglo-French Entente of 1904 and the Anglo-Russian Agreement of
1907. This led to the formation of The Triple Entente in 1907 by Britain, France and Russia, all of
whom had an ax to grind with Germany's growing power and economic success. Britain faced much
stronger competition with Germany, and France was still fuming over the Franco-Prussian War when
she was forced to give Germany back Alsace and Lorraine, Strasburg and the great fortress of Metz.
in Britain's foreign policy as she began to, in some eyes, strengthen her defenses, or alternately, to
prepare for war. She gained an alliance with Japan in 1902 and created a Committee of Imperial
Defence in 1903, resulting in the Anglo-French Entente of 1904 and the Anglo-Russian Agreement of
1907. This led to the formation of The Triple Entente in 1907 by Britain, France and Russia, all of
whom had an ax to grind with Germany's growing power and economic success. Britain faced much
stronger competition with Germany, and France was still fuming over the Franco-Prussian War when
she was forced to give Germany back Alsace and Lorraine, Strasburg and the great fortress of Metz.
Britian was prodded in the direction of war by various forces in the media. One of the prime players
in war mongering was British supremacist Alfred Harmsworth, later Lord Northcliffe. Harmsworth
had risen from a childhood of poverty to become a powerful British newspaper publisher.
in war mongering was British supremacist Alfred Harmsworth, later Lord Northcliffe. Harmsworth
had risen from a childhood of poverty to become a powerful British newspaper publisher.
It was later said of him: "Next to the Kaiser, Lord Northcliffe did more
than any living man to bring about the war." Harmsworth's 'Daily Mail'
tabloid, which he claimed stood "for the power, the supremacy and the
greatness of the British Empire", had been suckled and fattened by public
interest in the Boer War. Britain had sporadically suffered from "invasion
scares" since the time of Napoleon and these fears intensified in the 1890s
with Germany's rapidly advancing naval technology threatening Britain's
economic superiority at sea. Harmsworth commissioned French-English
author William Le Queux to write 'The Great War in England' (1897)
which featured Germany, France and Russia joining forces and destroying
Britain. It played upon fear and was a great success. After Russia, Britain
and France cozied up together, he reduced the villain to Germany alone.
than any living man to bring about the war." Harmsworth's 'Daily Mail'
tabloid, which he claimed stood "for the power, the supremacy and the
greatness of the British Empire", had been suckled and fattened by public
interest in the Boer War. Britain had sporadically suffered from "invasion
scares" since the time of Napoleon and these fears intensified in the 1890s
with Germany's rapidly advancing naval technology threatening Britain's
economic superiority at sea. Harmsworth commissioned French-English
author William Le Queux to write 'The Great War in England' (1897)
which featured Germany, France and Russia joining forces and destroying
Britain. It played upon fear and was a great success. After Russia, Britain
and France cozied up together, he reduced the villain to Germany alone.
In 1897, he sent war correspondent G. W. Steevens to Germany to
produce the sixteen-part serial "Under the Iron Heel" which elicited fear
of the German military, and Harmsworth wrote an editorial in the Daily
Mail three years later predicting a war with Germany. Harmsworth
continued to hammer away his theme year after year. In 1906, he once
again asked Le Queux for his help and the bestselling 'The Invasion of
1910' was published as a lucrative scare serial. The story immediately
increased the newspaper's circulation. It was translated into twenty-seven
languages, and over one million copies of the book edition were sold,
making its author and the tabloid a lot of money. It also resulted in an
intense atmosphere of fear, mass hysteria and Germanophobia.
produce the sixteen-part serial "Under the Iron Heel" which elicited fear
of the German military, and Harmsworth wrote an editorial in the Daily
Mail three years later predicting a war with Germany. Harmsworth
continued to hammer away his theme year after year. In 1906, he once
again asked Le Queux for his help and the bestselling 'The Invasion of
1910' was published as a lucrative scare serial. The story immediately
increased the newspaper's circulation. It was translated into twenty-seven
languages, and over one million copies of the book edition were sold,
making its author and the tabloid a lot of money. It also resulted in an
intense atmosphere of fear, mass hysteria and Germanophobia.
Unrelenting, in 1909, Harmsworth hired Socialist Robert Blatchford to visit Germany and write a
series of articles on the dangers that the Germans posed to Britain. Blatchford concurred with
Harmsworth and said in one article: "I believe that Germany is deliberately preparing to destroy the
British Empire" and warned that Britain needed to spend more money in defending itself.
series of articles on the dangers that the Germans posed to Britain. Blatchford concurred with
Harmsworth and said in one article: "I believe that Germany is deliberately preparing to destroy the
British Empire" and warned that Britain needed to spend more money in defending itself.
Harmsworth made the Daily Mail the official newspaper of the British Army and had 10,000 copies of the paper
delivered daily to the Western Front. He also used soldiers as news sources and paid them for articles written
about their experiences. In March, 1918, Harmsworth was approached by the government's new Minister of
Information and agreed to join the cabinet and take charge of all propaganda directed at enemy countries. Over
the next few months Harmsworth had four million leaflets dropped behind enemy lines. He was among those who
would later call for Kaiser Wilhelm to be hanged and the imposition of severe financial penalties on Germany.
delivered daily to the Western Front. He also used soldiers as news sources and paid them for articles written
about their experiences. In March, 1918, Harmsworth was approached by the government's new Minister of
Information and agreed to join the cabinet and take charge of all propaganda directed at enemy countries. Over
the next few months Harmsworth had four million leaflets dropped behind enemy lines. He was among those who
would later call for Kaiser Wilhelm to be hanged and the imposition of severe financial penalties on Germany.
Intense Germanophobia soon swept across Britain. With war's onset, a carefully constructed
disinformation campaign produced propaganda so intense and inflammatory, that British mobs were
inspired to attack German shops, homes and churches, resulting in the deaths of 57 German civilians
during anti-German riots in towns such as Peterborough and Keighley, and the riots continued until
the nation-wide ‘Lusitania’ riots of May 1915.
disinformation campaign produced propaganda so intense and inflammatory, that British mobs were
inspired to attack German shops, homes and churches, resulting in the deaths of 57 German civilians
during anti-German riots in towns such as Peterborough and Keighley, and the riots continued until
the nation-wide ‘Lusitania’ riots of May 1915.
| Planting the Seeds |
Active long before hostilities broke out, British supremacist Rudyard Kipling had already published
"scare" books about the German navy in 1898. He wrote in his poem "The Rowers" that Germans
were "the breed that have wronged us most" and calls them "the shameless Hun". Kipling repeatedly
referred to Germans as beasts and stated "there are only two divisions in the world today- human
beings and Germans" and further, that "the Germans do evil deliberately. It is their nature. It is the
mark of their nationality. They are like microbes-- wherever they abound; the evil develops and
infects everything roundabout. Civilized nations must resort to the sterilizing process; they must put
into force measures of international hygiene. Beware of the German microbe." Hate-mongering
Kipling also jumped on board the German spy train in 1913 with his short story "The Edge of the
Evening". He began his "For All We Have and Are" in 1914 with the words, "For all we have and
are, For all our children's fate, Stand up and take the war. The Hun is at the gate!" in his ceaseless
efforts to rouse war fever in the British.
"scare" books about the German navy in 1898. He wrote in his poem "The Rowers" that Germans
were "the breed that have wronged us most" and calls them "the shameless Hun". Kipling repeatedly
referred to Germans as beasts and stated "there are only two divisions in the world today- human
beings and Germans" and further, that "the Germans do evil deliberately. It is their nature. It is the
mark of their nationality. They are like microbes-- wherever they abound; the evil develops and
infects everything roundabout. Civilized nations must resort to the sterilizing process; they must put
into force measures of international hygiene. Beware of the German microbe." Hate-mongering
Kipling also jumped on board the German spy train in 1913 with his short story "The Edge of the
Evening". He began his "For All We Have and Are" in 1914 with the words, "For all we have and
are, For all our children's fate, Stand up and take the war. The Hun is at the gate!" in his ceaseless
efforts to rouse war fever in the British.
Le Queux went on to claim in the book that such an invasion was easily facilitated by many
"Germans who, having served in the army, had come over to England and obtained employment as
waiters, clerks, bakers, hairdressers, and private servants, and being bound by their oath to the
Fatherland had served their country as spies".
"Germans who, having served in the army, had come over to England and obtained employment as
waiters, clerks, bakers, hairdressers, and private servants, and being bound by their oath to the
Fatherland had served their country as spies".
In an even earlier example of fear literature. Author T. W. Offin, in his 1900 book "How the Germans Took
London", illustrated how "thousands of Teutons have, year by year, crept into our employ" and paved the way
for a successful German invasion. Walter Wood's 1906 novel "The Enemy in Our Midst" told the story of a
German Invasion facilitated by German immigrants who moved in and "infest the Metropolis until their very
presence was a menace and a curse" and "spreadin' all over the place like a plague". British periodicals such as
'John Bull' also generated hate, and coined the term "Germ-huns" and questioned whether a German "was even
a human." Great suspicion and fear arose of anything German and the fires of hate were being fanned.
London", illustrated how "thousands of Teutons have, year by year, crept into our employ" and paved the way
for a successful German invasion. Walter Wood's 1906 novel "The Enemy in Our Midst" told the story of a
German Invasion facilitated by German immigrants who moved in and "infest the Metropolis until their very
presence was a menace and a curse" and "spreadin' all over the place like a plague". British periodicals such as
'John Bull' also generated hate, and coined the term "Germ-huns" and questioned whether a German "was even
a human." Great suspicion and fear arose of anything German and the fires of hate were being fanned.
Le Queux' s 1909 book, "Spies of the Kaiser: Plotting the Downfall of England", detailed fictional
German spy activities which Le Queux asserted were factual, claiming he had files of documents as
proof. His "proof" was in the crates of letters sent to him by his readers concerning supposed spy sightings and
suspicions about German looking neighbors, teachers and corner grocers that he in turn gave to the new British
spy office, who actually used them to develop information about "the German intelligence organization in
Britain". Out of this activity, the modern British Secret Service was born. But when war finally came in 1914, the
government could only find twenty-one alleged German agents to arrest, and of these, only one was brought to
trial. Hundreds of innocent German citizens had been bullied and chased off by then.
German spy activities which Le Queux asserted were factual, claiming he had files of documents as
proof. His "proof" was in the crates of letters sent to him by his readers concerning supposed spy sightings and
suspicions about German looking neighbors, teachers and corner grocers that he in turn gave to the new British
spy office, who actually used them to develop information about "the German intelligence organization in
Britain". Out of this activity, the modern British Secret Service was born. But when war finally came in 1914, the
government could only find twenty-one alleged German agents to arrest, and of these, only one was brought to
trial. Hundreds of innocent German citizens had been bullied and chased off by then.
Events construed to incur the wrath of the public included the "Moroccan Crisis". There were more
problems as Germany was caught up in the unfamiliar waters of the imperial game of water polo.
Russia and Britain almost came to blows in October of 1904, after a Russian fleet mistook some
British fishing vessels at Dogger Bank off the coast of England for Japanese warships and fired upon
them, killing some British fishermen. Britain was allied with Japan, and it was possible that they
might combine forces against Russia. Kaiser Wilhelm II, meanwhile, urged his cousin, Russian Czar
Nicholas II. to sign a mutual defensive treaty with Germany once Russia's war with Japan ended.
problems as Germany was caught up in the unfamiliar waters of the imperial game of water polo.
Russia and Britain almost came to blows in October of 1904, after a Russian fleet mistook some
British fishing vessels at Dogger Bank off the coast of England for Japanese warships and fired upon
them, killing some British fishermen. Britain was allied with Japan, and it was possible that they
might combine forces against Russia. Kaiser Wilhelm II, meanwhile, urged his cousin, Russian Czar
Nicholas II. to sign a mutual defensive treaty with Germany once Russia's war with Japan ended.
This was presented by the British press as "German support for Russia", and newspapers quickly and
vehemently denounced Germany, further inflaming British opinion against Germany with accusations
that Germany was now "aiming toward world domination". Britain's First Sea Lord, Sir John Fischer,
actually proposed sinking Germany's navy, and Germany defensively brought its navy back to home
waters. In turn, this further propelled the screaming British media to report that this meant that
Germany might be "secretly preparing for war". While this war scare subsided, it set the groundwork
for even more regularly reported, excited storied by a savage, special-interest fueled media.
vehemently denounced Germany, further inflaming British opinion against Germany with accusations
that Germany was now "aiming toward world domination". Britain's First Sea Lord, Sir John Fischer,
actually proposed sinking Germany's navy, and Germany defensively brought its navy back to home
waters. In turn, this further propelled the screaming British media to report that this meant that
Germany might be "secretly preparing for war". While this war scare subsided, it set the groundwork
for even more regularly reported, excited storied by a savage, special-interest fueled media.