Friedrich von Bernhardi

Friedrich von Bernhardi
Friedrich von Bernhardi (1849–1930) was a German general and military historian best known for his nationalist writings and advocacy of aggressive German expansionism. He authored several influential works, most notably "Germany and the Next War" (1911), where he promoted the idea of war as a necessary and natural element of national policy. Bernhardi argued that Germany was destined to dominate Europe and that war would be essential to achieve this goal. His views contributed to the militaristic atmosphere in pre-World War I Germany and were influential among both military leaders and nationalists.

Author's Books:


CHAPTER I THE RIGHT TO MAKE WAR Since 1795, when Immanuel Kant published in his old age his treatise on "Perpetual Peace," many have considered it an established fact that war is the destruction of all good and the origin of all evil. In spite of all that history teaches, no conviction is felt that the struggle between nations is inevitable, and the growth of civilization is credited with a... more...

PREFACE I ventured to express the opinion in my book, 'With General French and the Cavalry in South Africa,' that if a high ideal of the duties and possibilities of Cavalry is set before our officers, and the means of instruction and training are placed within their reach, we shall possess in our next great War a force which, if led by men of the stamp of General Sir John French, will prove... more...