ABSTRACT
The "German Problem" that has again been thrust to the center of the world's attention is a manifestation of the extraordinary strength that the country has exerted since its unification as a nation-state. Throughout most of prior German history, however, the "Problem" was one of German weakness stemming from political fragmentation and depredation by stronger neighbors. The incorporation of the territory of modern Austria into what for a thousand years was considered to be Germany began already in the 8th century with its conquest by the Franks and establishment as the Ostmark against the threat of the Avars and Slavs. When Pope Leo III invested the Frankish King Charlemagne with the title of Holy Roman Emperor on Christmas Day, 800, he also implied the unity of a medieval German nation that included the eastern Marches. Despite over a millennium of closely intertwined destiny, Austrians were markedly subdued in their enthusiasm as German unification rushed to completion in 1990.
