John Hiden Livres

The Latvian-German politician and journalist Paul Schiemann was a passionate advocate of independence for the indigenous Baltic peoples. He unflinchingly resisted all forms of political extremism and wrote one of the earliest extended critical analysis of National Socialism. Schiemann vigorously opposed Nazi infiltration of the German minorities' movement and through this the European Nationalities' Congress. He also endured and commented bitingly on his experience of life under communist rule in the Baltic states. His memories, which he began to dictate to a young Jewish girl whom he was hiding, testify to his ideas on minority rights, extremism and Europe's future. Hiden's biography of this courageous man who battled against both Baltic and German nationalism opens up a little-explored chapter of Baltic history in a region today seen once more as the litmus test of the new Europe.

This book explores the economic impact of Germany on the Baltic states following World War I, examining the intricate relationships and influences that shaped the region's development. It delves into various aspects of trade, investment, and political dynamics, highlighting how German interests played a crucial role in the economic landscape of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania during this transformative period. The analysis offers insights into the broader implications of these interactions for the Baltic states' post-war recovery and growth.

This book is the first to highlight the importance of the Baltic region in the approach to war in 1939. Amid the welter of publications on the origins of the Second World War none has sought hitherto to focus on the Baltic region, where peace finally and irrevocably broke down. Central strategic and international issues of the interwar years are thus illuminated from a fresh perspective by a distinguished team of specialists that includes a number of native Baltic historians. The themes discussed by the contributors acquired renewed relevance, as the Baltic republics asserted their rejection of incorporation within the Soviet Union following the Nazi-Soviet pact of 1939. The Baltic and the outbreak of the Second World War makes an important contribution to the perennial debate on the immediate causes of the conflict, and should interest specialists in a variety of fields within international relations, modern European and diplomatic history.

This important addition to modern German studies treats the Weimar Republic and the Third Reich as a continuum, exploring its themes through the 1920s and 1930s without artificial breaks. John Hiden looks at key issues in political, social and economic history, and in international relations. He highlights Germany's potentially constructive role in Europe before Hitler; analyses the country's structural problems; considers the importance of personalities and personal responsibility in the period; and examines the legacy of the Third Reich to postwar Germany. Filled with energy and ideas, the book has an intellectual substance far beyond its relatively modest length.

A revised, updated survey of the vast amount of literature produced on the Third Reich, this now covers material written between 1983 and 1988. The book is no mere bibliography but a product of the debate between the authors and the variety of views and arguments put forward by other historians. Thus a solid foundation of empirical information about Nazi Germany is included, without which some of the issues being debated would be unintelligible to non-specialist readers. Professor Hiden is the author of many books and articles on 20th century German history, including "Germany and Europe". John Farquharson has written "The Plough and the Swastika" and "The Western Allies and the Politics of Food".

The literature on German foreign policy between the two World Wars is even more extensive than it was when the first edition of this book was published in 1977. This text makes use of the increase in available literature, analyzing the interwar period as a whole from the German perspective.

It is often assumed that the Weimar Republic was bound to fail due to the harsh terms of the Versailles Settlement. Professor Hiden dispels this simplistic view and shows that it was a complex set of factors which finally brought Hitler to power. This clear and balanced study is now fully revised - for the first time since its publication in 1974 - to take account of the latest research.

The book delves into the often-overlooked multicultural political thought and practices of Eastern Europe, highlighting their significance in contemporary discussions about state and nationhood after the Cold War. It combines theoretical insights with practical examples, aiming to reshape conventional views on the nation-state. The preface by former UK Home Secretary Charles Clarke adds a notable perspective to this exploration of political legacy and its implications for modern governance.

The book, originally published in 1995, delves into significant themes and insights relevant to its field. It is part of the Routledge imprint, known for its academic rigor and contribution to scholarly discourse. The content is designed to engage readers with critical analysis and perspectives that are still pertinent today.