| #2 German was not so much 'unified' in the 19th Century as much as annexed by Prussia. Prussia had a long history of feudalism and militarism. The German states to the west, were by and large, small states of princes and bishops with limited powers and reach, but very little centralization. At the end of WWII, Prussia was dissolved and its remnants sat on by the other historical autocratic eastern state, Russia. West Germany was basically the Rhineland states, which while German and having some martial history was one that was generally subservient to bigger players (more for hiring out). A lot of Prussian culture was pounded out of many Germans by the RAF, the 8th Army Air Force, and Soviet artillery. There's not the 'will' that used to be within the culture to 'serve' in the old Junkers style and capacity. So, when the opportunity presented itself for a 'peace dividend', the whole thing was pushed aside for 'other priorities'. Besides, the Americans would always be there to die and pay for NATO. |
