How to Cite

Junker, Detlef: Germany and the USA 1871–2021, translated by Styles Sass, Heidelberg: heiBOOKS, 2023. https://doi.org/10.11588/heibooks.1199

Identifiers

ISBN 978-3-948083-88-5 (PDF)
ISBN 978-3-948083-89-2 (Hardcover)

Published

07/20/2023

Authors

Detlef Junker, Styles Sass (Transl.)

Germany and the USA 1871–2021

Germany and the USA 1871–2021 is the first comprehensive look at 150 years of German-American relations. It traces this dramatic story in all its complexity from the founding of the German nation state in 1871 to World War I, the Weimar Republic, Hitler and Nazi Germany, the Cold War and its demise, and the revolution of 9/11. The book also scrutinizes the presidencies of George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump on one side of the Atlantic, as well as the tenure of the German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the other side.

This book comprises earlier publications of the author and closes with a new chapter on “Obama, Trump, the decline of an imperial democracy and American-German relations 2009–2021.”

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“This rich collection of scholarly essays on GermanAmerican relations offers the first-ever assessment of this crucial transatlantic partnership over the long term, since the founding of the German nation in 1871, through the turbulent 20th century, and into the Biden Administration. Preeminent historian, Dr. Detlef Junker, draws on decades of deep study to bring us, in lively and lucid prose, his analysis of the changing political relationship that shaped both countries as well as the world. With his signature wit and insight, and delivered in the style of an accomplished journalist, Junker has created a must-read for anyone who wishes to understand the changing relationship of Germany and the United States.”

Kirsten Fischer, Professor of History, University of Minnesota

“One of Germany’s most eminent contemporary historians has provided us with an enlightening and stimulating account of German–American relations in the 20th and 21st centuries. Selecting from his manifold writings during a long and distinguished career, Detlef Junker gives us an eye-opening account of the many challenges with which German–American relations continue to be confronted in our world of turmoil and instability. Junker’s highly informative book should be essential reading for anyone interested in both the past and the future of America’s relations with Germany—still Europe’s most important political and economic power.”

Klaus Larres, Distinguished Professor of History and International Affairs, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

“Here is an authoritative overview of the mostly friendly, at times dramatic relations between the United States and Germany that have shaped much of transatlantic history since 1871. Detlef Junker succeeds in balancing his critical insights into America’s ascent as a world power and its recent challenges with those of Germany’s rise, fall, and rise as a European power. Thoroughly researched and well written, the volume has much to offer to both scholars and students.”

Frank Trommler, Professor of German em., University of Pennsylvania

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Detlef Junker, Distinguished Senior Professor and Founding Director Emeritus Heidelberg Center for American Studies (HCA) Universität Heidelberg. The Author taught modern history at the Heidelberg University from 1975 to 1994 and held the Curt Engelhorn Chair for American History from 1999-2004. From 1994 to 1999, Professor Junker served as the Director of the German Historical Institute (GHI) in Washington, D.C. The foci of his research include the history of U.S. foreign policy and German-American relations, 20th century German history, and theory of historical scholarship. Prior to his studies, he underwent journalistic training to become an editor. He studied history, political science, philosophy and German studies in Kiel and Innsbruck. From 1970-71 he was a postdoctoral fellow at Yale University.

Chapters

Table of Contents
Pages
PDF
Front matter
Table of Contents
V-VI
Preface
VII-IX
Acknowledgments
XI
1. Europe and the USA in Historical Perspective, 1776–2009
1-18
2. The Manichaean Trap. American Perceptions of the German Empire, 1871–1945
19-43
3. The USA and the Weimar Republic, 1919–1933
45-53
4. Jacob Gould Schurman, Heidelberg University, and American-German Relations, 1878–1945
55-93
5. The Impact of the Great Depression on the U.S. Political System, 1933–1945
95-113
6. Germany in the Political Calculus of the United States, 1933–1945
115-131
7. The Continuity of Ambivalence. German Images of America, 1933–1945
133-151
8. Roosevelt and Hitler. Struggle for World Power, 1940–1941
153-161
9. Politics, Security, Economics, Culture, and Society. Dimensions of Transatlantic Relations during the Cold War, 1945–1990
163-207
10. International Relations after the Second World War. A New Understanding of the Cold War? (1945–1990)
209-223
11. The End of Double Containment. The Revolution of German Foreign Policy in Historical Perspective, 1990
225-233
12. Germany in International Politics, 1990–2006
235-249
13. The Americanization of the Holocaust. On the Possibility of Externalizing Evil and Perpetually Renewing One’s Mission
251-260
14. On The Way to Becoming an Imperial Hyperpower? The Manichaean Trap has Struck Again – U.S. Foreign Policy after September 11, 2001
261-279
15. Is the USA an Imperial Power?
281-296
16. Obama, Trump, the Decline of an Imperial Democracy and U.S.-German Relations 2009–2021. An Essay
297-389
Subject Index
391-396
Index of Names
397-402
About the Author
403

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