Anti-German sentiment

Anti-German sentiment (also known as anti-Germanism, Germanophobia or Teutophobia) is fear or dislike of Germany, its people, and its culture.^[1] Its opposite is Germanophilia.^[2][3]

Anti-German sentiment mainly emerged following the unification of Germany, and it reached its height during World War I and World War II. Prior to this the German speaking states were mostly independent entities in the Holy Roman Empire. Originally a response to the growing industrialisation of Germany as a threat to the other great powers, anti-German sentiment became mainstream in the Allied countries during both World Wars, especially the Second World War in which the Germans carried out major atrocities in regions occupied by them. Anti-German sentiment is historically specifically anti-Prussian, as the Prussian Junkers were the main military class in the German Empire and in Nazi Germany. Anti-German and Anti-Austrian sentiment were generally held together, as Austrians worked with and were involved in the German military, especially in Nazi Germany, with most Austrians considering themselves German until the end of the Second World War.^[4]

Following the collapse of Nazi Germany, anti-German sentiment generally decreased as Europe entered into a period of peace. In modern times Anti-German sentiment usually comes about from the major power Germany has economically over Europe, and its importance in the European Union.