What events/reasons caused Germans to fear Russians before the 1920's

by Shayc56

My Great Grandmother was born in Germany in 1908 and immigrated to the U.S. around 1923. On her death bed she mentioned in a fit of panic for my mother, who she mistook for my grandmother, to "hide the children from the Russians". While I understand that a fear of Communists existed in Germany during the period of her life in Germany, I am wondering if there were any reasons other than Russians being associated with Communism, that led to this feeling of animosity amongst Germans.

bennettq

Germany had only recently become a unified nation by World War I. In 1923, World War I was a few years past. Prior to the German Nation, the Prussian Empire encompassed much of modern Germany. Russia and Germany have a strong history of alliance and war, likely contributing to the common fear each felt toward the other.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany–Russia_relations