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.