Karl Haushofer and his impact on the German-Japanese Alliance

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the influence of Karl Haushofer, former general and leader of the post-World War I German geopolitical movement, on the development of the alliance with Japan, culminating in the 1937 Anti-Comintern Pact. This relationship began when Haushofer was commissioned to serve as an Artillery Instructor to the Japanese Army from 1909 through 1911, resulting in a relationship that ultimately brought together two distant and aggressive dictatorships. This alliance created a critical shift in the hegemonic balance of power as Great Britain was in decline and the United States was in the transitional phase of becoming the hegemonic power of the twentieth century. Professor Haushofer has been evaluated and discussed in many different lights. The discussions focused primarily on his influence on Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist party. While the majority of writings about Haushofer concern this influence, very few touch upon his passion, that foundation which gave his influential voice clout. For every article he wrote on German policy he wrote two promoting and admiring the Japanese political outlook. So while many authors mention the Japanese influence on Karl Haushofer, they do not, in my opinion, give proper, proportional weight to this influence and its direct relationship to the German-Japanese Alliance.