History of German foreign policy
The history of German foreign policy covers diplomatic developments and international history since 1871.
Japanese poster promoting the Axis cooperation in 1938
Leaders of the 33rd G8 summit in Heiligendamm, Germany
A great power is a sovereign state that is recognized as having the ability and expertise to exert its influence on a global scale. Great powers characteristically possess military and economic strength, as well as diplomatic and soft power influence, which may cause middle or small powers to consider the great powers' opinions before taking actions of their own. International relations theorists have posited that great power status can be characterized into power capabilities, spatial aspects, and status dimensions.
Great powers are recognized in several international structures, including the United Nations Security Council.
In the mid-19th century, German historian Leopold von Ranke attempted to scientifically document the great powers.
The "Big Four" at the Paris Peace Conference of 1919: David Lloyd George, Vittorio Emanuele Orlando, Georges Clemenceau, and Woodrow Wilson
The "Big Three" of Europe at the Yalta Conference: Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Joseph Stalin
