Off-campus ETSU users: To download "Campus Only" theses, please use the following link to log in to our proxy server with your ETSU username and password.
Non-ETSU users: Please talk to your librarian about requesting this thesis through interlibrary loan.
Degree Name
MA (Master of Arts)
Program
History
Date of Award
5-2010
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Stephen G. Fritz
Committee Members
Wolf D. Gruner, Henry J. Antikiewicz, Emmett M. Essin III
Abstract
There are surprisingly detailed similarities between Germany and the USA on their way towards the Second World War. In this paper, I have compared the nations' expansionist philosophies, their encounter with racism, and the internal conflicts between authoritarian leadership and democracy.
I began with an overview of Manifest Destiny and the German myth of the East. Next, I summed up the deep changes that the First World War caused for both societies and how they went into the Great Depression. I examined the rise of scientific racism as part of the international eugenics movement and the emergence of populist leaders during the economic crisis.
It became clear that neither expansionism nor racism were genuine German ideologies. In fact, the American Manifest Destiny served as a role-model for German plans in the East. Even the racist concepts of the Third Reich were strongly influenced by American scientists. The main difference seems to be the experience with the First World War and the diversity of American protest during the crisis.
Document Type
Thesis - restricted
Recommended Citation
Nowak, Steve, "On Historical Missions and Modern Phenomena: A Comparison of Germany and the USA on their Way towards the Second World War." (2010). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1708. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1708
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.