A state was formed and recognized in 1871 in the center of .
This event has had an enormous impact since its inception. It .
has been both the salvation of Europe through economic depressions and .
hard times, as well as, the cause for two world wars and the near .
decimation of Europe. Its people have been back and forth between rags .
and riches, democracy and dictatorships, united, broken and then .
reunited. This state is known as Germany. .
Modern Germany has been reunified after almost 50 years of .
separation during the cold war. Once again German power and influence .
is on the rise. The world watches because Germany has not been able to .
successfully retain both total sovereignty over its territory and be an .
economic world power, for a substantial period of time; without plunging .
the world into an unavoidable conflict. The question of Germany and its .
position in world politics is one which has plagued statesmen since .
Germany's formation. This paper will argue that the answer lies within .
the state. Germany needs to secure itself as both the economic and .
political hegemon of Europe under the auspices of the European Union. .
Furthermore, until Germany's present condition and effectiveness in .
global politics changes, the instability in the European Union will .
continue, as well as, the persistent German question. .
Twice in history Germany has risen from disorder and weakness to .
stand strong and belligerent upsetting the existing world order. Can .
there be any question of why the world views Germany suspiciously? In .
1914, German expansionism and short-sighted diplomacy paved the way .
toward an inevitable war. Germany moved from Bismarkian Diplomacy which .
maintained the "status quo" in Europe and abroad, to an aggressive .
militaristic imperialism which desired redistribution of global .
territory. A large naval fleet was built second only to the Royal navy .
(Britain) as well as a massive increase in military hardware production.