"THE HOUR WE YEARNED FOR"

Philipp Scheidemann

BERLIN: “THE HOUR WE YEARNED FOR”

Philipp Scheidemann, a founding father of the Weimar Republic, addresses the nationalistic sentiments in Germany before the breakout of WWI. Scheidemann shows great foresight in his writing about the impending war by dismissing the patriotism that encourages slaughter.

-Von Stumm, the Independent Conservative leader and industrialist, said “Another forty years of peace would be a national misfortune for Germany.”

-This shows the bellicose of the Germans at this time, and gives one much reason to point the finger of blame their way.

-The Germans were “yearning” for war, and were willing to demolish peace for the slightest gains.

-Baron von Holstein is quoted by Philipp Scheidemann, as saying “For the State there is no higher aim than the preservation of its own interests; among the Great Power these will not necessarily coincide with the maintenance of peace, but rather with the hostile policy of enemies and rivals.”