"The failure of Liberalism" in Germany and its responsibility for the rise of Nazism is widely discussed among scholars inside and outside Germany. The author argues that German liberalism failed because of the irreconcilable conflict between two competing visions of German identity.

Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1. The Genesis of Völkisch Liberalism in Schleswig-Holstein, 1898–1918 Introduction Völkisch and Universalist Paradigms of Regional Identity A National and Social Liberalism The Schücking Affair and Breaking the Bülow Bloc, 1907–1912 Nationalism, Ethnic Preoccupations, and the Coming of War Conclusion Chapter 2. Decisive Liberalism and the Challenges of Völkisch-Nationalism in Silesia, 1898-1918 Introduction Jews, Poles, and Other Silesians “Decisive Liberalism” Challenged, 1898–1907 “A Liberalism Which Does Not Deserve Its Name” The Divisiveness of Total War Conclusion Chapter 3. Republican Particularism and the Creation of an Alsatian Liberal Counterculture, 1898-1918 Introduction The Origins of Republican Particularism Liberal Unity and the End of Opposition, 1898–1907 Striking A Blow for “Progress”: The Fortschrittspartei Takes the Reins Alsace at War Conclusion Chapter 4. The Strengths and Weaknesses of Völkisch Liberalism in Schleswig-Holstein, 1918-1933 Introduction The Apotheosis of Völkisch Liberalism The Challenges of Preserving Liberal Democracy, 1918–1924 Völkisch Liberalism and the Bürgerblock, 1924–1928 Völkisch Liberalism on the Brink, 1928–1933 Conclusion Chapter 5. The Price of Universalism in Weimar Silesia, 1918–1933 Introduction Völkisch Ideologies and Universalist Minorities within Silesian Liberalism Decisive Liberalism Divided, 1919–1922 Solidarity and Decline, 1922–1928 The Search for Alternatives: A Last Chance for Silesian Liberalism Conclusion Chapter 6.The Victory of Republican Particularism in Alsace, 1918–1933 Introduction The Question of Autonomy: Race, Culture, and Identity in the Third Republic Be Careful What You Wish For: The Liberals Embrace the Republic The Autonomist Challenge 1924–1930 The Republican Settlement 1930–1933 Conclusion Conclusion Bibliography Index