How did Germany become more influential than any other European country and become the leader of European Union?

by pvntr

This is especially mind boggling when you consider the facts that

  1. It lost big time in World wars (cities were destroyed)

  2. It was split into two during cold war

  3. When it got back together East and its people were impoverished compared to west Germany

  4. It doesn't posses nukes not is a part of the P5 at UN

So how did they end up here ?(ahead of France and Britain on many aspects, who were both victorious)

mehvet

Quick heads up that this question comes right up to the line on the 20 year rule, the EU as it is now started in 1993, and it's impossible to describe the exact state of affairs in Europe now without mentioning anything since 1996.

I'd also reccomend you reconsider some assumptions on exactly what the place of Germany currently is. It's hardly an overwhelming force even internally to Europe, and if you look at external influence there are easy arguments for France and the U.K. having more stature and power.

Most of the perception of German power currently is very tightly linked to their economic ability. This has been a major concern for many European countries ever since German unification in 1871.