ABSTRACT
An understanding of modern Germany since its absorption by Prussia necessitates a rapid glance at the sources of the mentality, which was destined to cause the war. Prussia is an artificial State, whose boundaries have been slowly extended by annexations effected at the expense of peoples sprung from various sources. The essential principle of the Prussian monarchy was to extend its territory without cease or pause, and to the end, everything else was constantly sacrificed. The controlling idea of Prince von Bismarck policy was to secure the support of alliances against any possible temptation of revenge on the part of France. One of the essential principles of political psychology is to produce and extend certain feelings and then render them collective, for a nation's volition may be regulated by skilfully manipulating its feelings.
