page_title: Territorial evolution of Germany
section_title: World War I
hierarchical_section_title: Territorial evolution of Germany / World War I
caption_attribution_description: "Germany's Future" according to an officially circulated allied war propaganda pamphlet published in the beginning of 1917.
context_page_description: The territorial changes of Germany include all changes in the borders and territory of Germany from its formation in 1871 to the present. Modern Germany was formed in 1871 when Otto von Bismarck unified most of the German states, with the notable exception of Austria, into the German Empire. After the First World War, Germany lost about 10% of its territory to its neighbours and the Weimar Republic was formed. This republic included territories to the east of today's German borders.
  The period of Nazi rule from the 1930s through the end of the Second World War brought significant territorial losses for the country. Nazi Germany initially expanded the country's territory dramatically and conquered most of Europe, though not all areas were added to Germany officially. The Nazis' fortunes changed after the failure of the invasion of Soviet Union. The Nazi regime eventually collapsed, and the Allies occupied Germany.
caption: World War I Allied propaganda poster showing German expansionist ambitions
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