The Spirit of 1914: Militarism, Myth, and Mobilization in GermanyThis book, first published in 2000, is a systematic analysis of German public opinion at the outbreak of the Great War and the first treatment of the myth of the 'spirit of 1914', which stated that in August 1914 all Germans felt 'war enthusiasm' and that this enthusiasm constituted a critical moment in which German society was transformed. Jeffrey Verhey's powerful study demonstrates that the myth was historically inaccurate. Although intellectuals and much of the upper class were enthusiastic, the emotions and opinions of most of the population were far more complex and contradictory. The book further examines the development of the myth in newspapers, politics and propaganda, and the propagation and appropriation of this myth after the war. His innovative analysis sheds light on German experience of the Great War and on the role of political myths in modern German political culture. |
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Contents
1 | |
the evidence of the crowds | 12 |
2 The response to the outbreak of the war | 58 |
3 The August experiences | 72 |
4 The spirit of 1914 in the immediate interpretations of the meaning of the war | 115 |
5 The governments myth of the spirit of 1914 | 136 |
6 The spirit of 1914 in the discourse of the political parties | 156 |
7 The myth of the spirit of 1914 in German propaganda 19161918 | 186 |
8 The spirit of 1914 19191945 | 206 |
The myth of the spirit of 1914 in German political culture 19141945 | 231 |
239 | |
262 | |
Other editions - View all
The Spirit of 1914: Militarism, Myth, and Mobilization in Germany Jeffrey Verhey No preview available - 2000 |
Common terms and phrases
27 July 31 July according Adolf Hitler army attempted August experiences become beginning believed Berlin Bethmann Hollweg Bochum bourgeois called cities claimed collective conservative contemporaries crowds culture curious demonstrations described Deutsche deutschen Deutschland discussion enthusiasm Ersten Weltkrieg especially example fighting Frankfurter front German Hamburg hoped HStA idea important journalists Kaiser Krieg leaders Leipzig letter liberal marched mass meaning meeting memory military Minister mood morale Morgen Munich myth narrative Neueste Nachrichten newspapers noted October official ofthe organization parades parliament Party patriotic peace police political population proclamation propaganda Prussian public opinion published quoted remained reprinted September similar Similarly Social Democratic society soldiers songs speech spirit of 1914 streets Stuttgart Tägliche Rundschau tion unity victory Vorwärts week women World wrote young youths