Germany and the Next War

Germany and the Next War by Friedrich von Bernhardi is a controversial and influential book written in the early 20th century just before the outbreak of World War I. Von Bernhardi a German general presents a forceful argument for Germany's need to pursue aggressive military and imperial policies to ensure its dominance in Europe and the world. The book is a key text in understanding the mindset of German military and political elites leading up to the war advocating for the inevitability of conflict and the necessity of preparing for it.In the book von Bernhardi argues that war is an essential means for nations to assert themselves and achieve greatness positing that Germany must secure its position through military strength and territorial expansion. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong prepared military and criticizes pacifism and diplomacy as insufficient responses to international tensions. Von Bernhardi's ideas reflect the militaristic and nationalistic ideology that influenced the German leadership at the time promoting the belief that Germany had a right to expand its power and influence at the expense of other nations.