The international relationship of Germany and France and their railway systems

Seminar paper from the year 2010 in the subject Politics - Topic: History of Inernational Relations, grade: 1,3, University of Constance, course: Proseminar Literatur, language: English, abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine the Franco-German relationship

putting a strong focus on the two different railroad systems. The first two

chapters will analyze Germany¿s and France¿s railroad systems from their

early starts until the beginning of the First World War in a compressed way.

In the following step, the fourth chapter, both systems will be compared and

contrasted to each other. It¿s intended to show similarities and differences. A

railway network can in general be regarded as a mirror of its national

economy. A sustainable growth in a country¿s economy can hardly fail to

benefit its railroads. In the 19th century Germany¿s railroads benefitted from a

boosting economy whereas the French economy did not take into the same

direction. This had remarkable effects on the commerce via rail and the

French railroad network in total.1

This study will not compare the years after 1914 when the railways where

primarily used to lead to the front. Each country¿s economy and its inner

political movements had comparatively minor effects in contrast to the

military strategies and decisions.

A major challenge will be undoubtedly to fit all the necessary complexity into

a single format. Therefore all comparisons shall be divided into three different

aspects. At first the administrations of France and Germany shall be put

opposite to each other starting with the railroads early years until the

beginning of the 20th century. Additionally the two countries¿ economies and

their effects on the railroad construction will be analyzed. At last the military

strategies will be examined, for example during the Franco-Prussian War and

the remaining pre-war times.

In the 5th chapter current railroad issues of the two countries will be regarded.

Mutual interests, alliances, but also rivalries and conflicts are a constant part

in the history of two railroad networks, even to this day. They both share

mixed railroad systems combining private, public and economic interests.

The ultimate 6th chapter will summarize the obtained results.