INTERVIEW: The Empire That Couldn’t Stop Fighting

For 300 years, Germany couldn’t escape war. Border fights, rival powers, endless battles — conflict shaped its destiny.

Oxford historian Peter Wilson joins Why Wars Happened to explain why German-speaking Europe was trapped in war after war, from the Holy Roman Empire to Prussia’s rise and Bismarck’s empire.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

00:50 – Guest: Peter Wilson

01:29 – Germany’s fragmented beginnings

05:36 – The rise and influence of Prussia

14:21 – Military traditions and their legacy

19:41 – The Holy Roman Empire and Austria

28:11 – Bismarck and unification

30:30 – Closing thoughts

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