Pan-German League

(Alldeutscher Verband), a chauvinistic organization in existence from 1891 to 1939. Its membership was drawn from the most aggressive elements of the bourgeoisie and Junker class of Germany; it was called the General German League until 1894. The league stood for German world hegemony. It played an active political role up to 1918, numbering between 30,000 and 40,000 members during the years 1914–1918. It had an extensive network of organizations not only within the country but abroad as well. Other reactionary organizations, such as the Colonial Society, the Naval League, and the Imperial Association Against Social Democracy, cooperated closely with the league.

The Pan-German League exerted substantial influence on the parties of the monopolistic bourgeoisie and the Junker class, namely, the National Liberal and Conservative parties. Its members were in the counterrevolutionary camp during the period of the November Revolution of 1918, and they participated in the Kapp putsch of 1920. Many members were closely linked to the fascist movement and joined the National Socialist Party.