Germanophile

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A Germanophile is a person who is fond of German culture, and Germany in general, exhibiting as it were German nationalism in spite of not being an ethnic German. The term was especially in use in the 19th to 20th centuries during the aggressive political aspirations of the German Empire (and later Nazi Germany). In 19th century British romanticism, the term's antonym was Scandophile, expressing a dichotomy of associating Anglo-Saxon culture either with continental West Germanic (German) culture, or with North Germanic (Scandinavian) culture (the "Viking revival"). The term was also used in opposition to Hellenophile, an affinity to "Teutonic" or Germanic culture and worldview as opposed to a predilection for Classical Antiquity. In 19th century continental Europe, the dichotomy was rather between Germany and France, the main political players of the period, and a Germanophile would choose to side with Germany, against French or "Romance" interests taken to heart by a Francophile. The corresponding term relating to England is Anglophile, an affinity that was in turn often observed in early 20th century Germans choosing to side against France.

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