Germans Patriotic Again

Last Friday was the 60th anniversary of Germany’s constitution. The flag-waving and patriotism shown that day shows a marked change in Germany. “Sixty-four years after the end of the Nazi era and its atrocious crimes against humanity, Germans are no longer ashamed to wave their flag or sing their national anthem,” wrote United Press International. “An increasing number of people here are proud to be German, and proud of the democratic and economic achievements this country has accumulated over the past decades.”

A recent survey corroborated upi’s report: “Being German: A newfound national pride in harmony with the heart.” The three-year-long study polled 2,000 Germans from age 14 up. Sixty percent said they agreed with the statement: “I’m proud to be German.” Sixty-nine percent said Germany is more important than Europe or the international community. Seventy-eight percent said that if they could choose any nationality, they would chose to be German with “near or absolute certainty.”

The study concluded “Germans seem to be gradually breathing freely again and overcoming their historical guilt.”

upi reached the same conclusion, stating:

It seems that Germans are slowly beginning to sense that they can have feelings that go beyond the collective guilt they have been living with for decades because of the country’s Nazi past.This came to light in dramatic fashion in 2006, when Germany hosted the fifa Soccer World Cup. Germans flew flags from their balconies and painted their faces black, red and yellow—unthinkable only a few years before. …This new, albeit careful, patriotism has even influenced diplomacy, as politicians here are promoting a more self-confident foreign policy to play with the world’s biggest powers.Germany has 4,000 soldiers stationed with the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan and has completed numerous peacekeeping missions all over the globe.

Patriotism—whether coming from an American, a German, or another patriot—is not necessarily wrong. But this rising German patriotism is part of a disturbing trend when you consider the centuries-long context of German history. History warns that when Germans become proud, their nation can be dangerously aggressive.

For more information on Germany’s history and future, read Germany and the Holy Roman Empire.