Germany and the Next War

In the summer of 1911 the German public roared with patriotic fervor over the Morocco crisis, convinced that the nation’s honor hung in the balance. From the desk of a seasoned general, this work untangles the clash between popular zeal and the cautious diplomacy of the government, arguing that the country faces a pivotal moment in its political evolution. The author lays out three essential questions—what goals Germany should pursue, what obstacles must be overcome, and what sacrifices are required—while urging readers to see beyond short‑term interests toward a longer view of national destiny.

The book proceeds to examine war as a biologically rooted and morally justified instrument of self‑assertion, drawing on episodes from Prussian and German history to argue for a renewed assertive foreign policy. It surveys the shifting balance of power in Europe, the rise of rival alliances, and the need for overseas colonies, positioning Germany as a potential world power rather than a declining state. Presented in clear, forceful language, the treatise offers a vivid snapshot of the strategic thinking that foreshadowed the continent’s march toward conflict.