Originally published in 1984 this volume presents the first systematic analysis of the cultural sources of the Pan German League’s appeal and influence in Imperial Germany. It focuses on the symbolic dimensions of the League’s literature and activities, in order to explain the attraction of the League’s aggressive ideology to certain social groups. In addition it examines the relationship between the League and other patriotic societies in Imperial Germany and analyses the processes by which the organization succeeded, on the eve of the First World War, in mobilizing a broad ‘national opposition’ to the German government. The study draws on concepts from psychology and anthropology, and its documentary foundation includes archival material from both the former East and West Germany.
