o of 1914 happen again. Unfortunately, a similar situation did develop once again with Germany in the center. By 1938 Germany had rearmed and was aggressively expanding both its physical and economic boarders. Adolf Hitler saw the opportunities which a weak Europe armed with the ideas of appeasement as a deterrent for military aggression presented to Germany. These two historical occasions promoted a general distrust of a strong united Germany. Both times in history after the conclusions of the wars Germany was used for its large production capabilities and natural resources. The first time was to pay back large war debt acquired by Britain and France. The second was during the cold war and Germany was split between the two super powers. Thus, the development of the German question or problem. Reunification was possible because of a few factors. The largest was the collapse of the Soviet Union which is also the most obvious. This is true due to the fact that the occupied eastern region of Germany by the Soviet army was relinquished. The second was that West Germany had been so economically successful that the massive investments needed for updating East German industry, infrastructure and economy was available. The third was the existence and strength of the European Community. The collapse of the Soviet empire freed of East Germany and gave it its independence. The Soviets also hold vivid memories of the two times Germany rose to the status of a world power. Both times the Germans invaded and pushed deep into Russian territory, the last thing the Soviets wanted was a unified German. However, the Soviet economy weak and collapsing was unable to retain its occupation and relinquished control in 1989. The merger between East and West Germany, in 1990, has not been easy, to say the least. Germany faces three major problems concerning unification. The first of these dilemmas is unemployment. On...
