sets the stage for this exploration by reflecting on the historical enmity between England and Germany. Stresemann asserts that the current global conflict is not merely a struggle over territories or political grievances but is rooted in economic interests and competition. He presents an overview of Germany's rise as an industrial power and its burgeoning rivalry with England, detailing events and policies that he argues fueled mounting tensions and ultimately led to war. This beginning establishes a framework for understanding the subsequent detailed analysis of economic warfare, trade dynamics, and the impact of military strategies on the economic landscape during the war. (This is an automatically generated summary.)