Abstract

For several years now, an increasing number of studies have been published that explore German history from a global historical perspective. Historians analyze the transnational connections that have emerged, for example, through migration movements, international trade, German colonialism or the transfer of knowledge, concepts, or practices. Among other things, the close connection between phenomena of nationalization and globalization was highlighted. However, it is not only the increasing consolidation of transnational entanglements that is coming into focus; rather, the interruptions of connections and the processes of deglobalization are also receiving more and more attention. Yet, the analysis of the German past from a global history perspective faces specifi c challenges. These include the question of when a description of Germany‘s global history should begin. It is also more difficult than in the case of, for example, the history of the US, to define the geographical area to be studied.