Pan-Germanism

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

a among German nationalists and imperialists, embodying the idea that all German-speaking peoples should be united into one dominating empire. For long only an ideal, it finally found concrete expression in the formation of the Universal German League in 1891, which in 1894 changed its name to the Pan- German League. In the propaganda of the more enthusiastic leaders of this organization was expressed the idea which gradually prepared the German people to support the military plans of Government when, in 1914, the Imperial it precipitated its great war of world conquest. In 1903 the League formulated its program into the following main points: (1) Intensification of patriotic education, and bitter opposition to all the ideas of "world brotherhood," advocated by the Socialists; (2) To Germanize more thoroughly the public school system, by removing all sources of instruction detrimental to the Pan-German idea; (3) To support all German minorities in other European countries, to keep alive their race consciousness and to give them all possible aid in fighting for political power that eventually all these units might unite and make a German-ruled Europe; (4) To foster German influence and culture in over-seas colonies. In 1902 the League had enrolled 22,000 members, by which time it was carrying on a tremendous propaganda. During the war it was generally taken for granted that the Pan-German League worked closely hand in hand with the Imperial Government, but it is doubtful whether the connection was any closer than between any ultra-patriotic society and the government of any country during war time. That military conquest was the idea of a majority, or even of any large minority, of the League members, is doubtful. A peaceful penetration of the civilized world by German "culture" was the openly expressed desire of the majority. The Pan-German League still wields some influence, even under the Republic. It is naturally strongly anti-Socialistic.