Germany Blog #6

Germany Blog #6

Throughout time Germany has gone through radical changes that have ultimately made them the country they are today.  In the novel, Germany. A New History by Hagen Schulze, chapters nine through twelve covers World War I, the first democracy in Germany, the Weimar Republic, and World War II.

In 1914 World War I erupted in Germany with everyone behind the government for the war that was believed to end within a matter of weeks.  This was not the case though with the war dragging on, with the original passion quickly dwindling and becoming a thing of the past.  During the middle of the Great War, the first German democracy, Weimar Republic, was created.  At the end of the First World War ten million individuals lost their lives, among them were two million Germans (Schulze 198).  Although the war was over, it never really ended in Germany as it transgressed into the form of civil war.  Germany’s final sentence of defeat was presented with the Versailles Treaty.  This treaty placed Germany under legal sanctions, deprived them of military power, economically ruined and politically humiliated them (Schulze 204).  At this time Germany began struggling financially with millions of individuals needing government assistance, coal no longer coming from the Ruhr had to be bought abroad, and since huge sums in taxes and customs tariffs were lost as well, the government ran up an enormous deficit that they could only pay off by printing more money (Schulze 210).  The money economy completely broke down and citizens had to go back to bartering for goods.  

Newspaper Headline

With the treaty affecting the Democracy, this allowed for Hitler’s totalitarian and aggressive regime to grow.  Hitler was able to use this time to his advantage to plea to the masses by giving them someone to follow when they were in search of identifying who they were.  Hitler had no concept of the European politics, he only had one goal: to establish world dominance for a “superior race” over the dead bodies of “inferiors” (Schulze 247).  To reach this goal, he had to establish National Socialist (Nazi) Party and then become a dominate presence everywhere in Germany.  On January 20^th, 1939, Hitler announced that a world war would result in “the destruction of the Jewish race in Europe” (Schulze 271).  He believed that only select individuals were capable of creating a lasting empire and that Jews were not a part of this.  To create this German world domination, the Jewish people were exterminated as part of Hitler’s “final solution” to the “Jewish question” (Schulze 274).  The “final solution” is now known as the Holocaust. Millions of Jews were then murdered in concentration camps over the years.  These mass-murders were the regimes most heinous secret, but these acts would never have been possible without the direct or indirect participation of numerous government agencies, organizations, and departments, due to the large number of people needed (Schulze 274).  World War II came to an end in 1945. 

Hitler 

World War II

Now that World War II was over, Germany had to live with the results of what occurred.  This war ultimately costed Germany three times as many lives as World War I, resulting in approximately 5.5 million dead (Schulze 286).  Millions of individuals lost their homes and the civilian populations of major cities had been evacuated.  In the end cathedrals, palaces, and old town centers went up in flames and with them a considerable portion of Germany’s cultural heritage (Schulze 278).  World War II in the end changed the face of daily life in Germany drastically.

Newspaper Headline

Since this past summer I was able to tour a concentration camp and learn in depth the horrific events that occurred during the Holocaust, I found it really interesting to learn more about what lead up to Hitler’s rise to power and why Germany went along with his goal of German world dominance. 

Word Count: 653

Germany Blog #5

Germany Blog #5

In the novel Germany. A New History by Hagen Schulze, chapters three through five covers the fall of the Holy Roman Empire of the German nation, the development of the modern German nation, and the founding in 1871 of the German state. 

Although the Holy Roman Empire of the German nation had come to an end, there was no final battle that ended in dismay and destruction to bring the Empire down.  On July 12, 1806, the sixteen states that represented Germany, signed an act which eradicated their connection to the Holy Roman Empire and established a protectorate with Napoleon known as the Rheinbund (Confederation of the Rhine) (Schulze 99).  This was the final blow that led to Francis II laying down the crown of the Holy Roman Emperor on August 6, 1806 (Schulze 99). 

Francis II

At the time, the actual significance of the term “Germany” remained indefinable.  Ludwig von Seckendorff in 1656 declared in his Teutscher Fürstenstaat (“The German Principality”), that a “German nation” in the political sense existed, but stated that it was challenging to describe and that several other nations existed within it on lower levels (Schulze 86). Numerous proceedings contributed to the development of the modern German nation.  In the second half of the eighteenth century, Germany saw the growth of the educated elite.  The elite consisted of civil servants, clergymen, academics, jurists, teachers, doctors, book-dealers, as well as other professional men.  The growth of the elite class contributed to the development of the standard German language from the regional dialects and local idioms (Schulze 89).  The German nation was then born in the minds of the intelligent.  This made it logical that the heroes of Germany were not the princes or military leaders but the rather a collection of poets and philosophers (Schulze 91).

Two challenges that existed in the creation of the German state were the treaties of Münster and Osnabrück.  These treaties were a part of a larger treaty commonly known as, the Peace of Westphalia which ended the Thirty Year’s War. The treaty of Osnabrϋck was signed between Emperor Fredinand III and Queen Christina of Sweden and their allies.  Then the treaty of Münster was between Fredinand III and King Louis XIV of France and their allies.  Both of these treaties were considered setbacks in the establishment of the German state.

The signing of the Peace of Westphalia treaty

Germany became unified in 1871.  Bismarck was the chancellor and architect of the German unification and teamed up with the Hohenzollern Dynasty to establish the German Empire.  Based off of Bismarck’s decision, Germany was to be run with an authoritarian style government by the Hohenzollern family.  This ruling started with Kaiser Wilhelm I from 1871 to 1890.  Wilhelm I was considered weak but worked with Bismarck.  Kaiser Wilhelm II then took over until World War I in 1914.  World War I began due to the effects of trying to unify a country that was not prepared for the task at hand.  Unifying Germany did not actually create a unified country because they did not have one religion, one powerhouse, one culture, etc.  Individuals wanted to be able to identify with something but struggled when the unification did not work.  So they fought for what they believed in and what they thought their country stood for.  The unification was supposed to solve all their problems but instead left individuals with more questions than answers.

World War I

Germany Flag

This reading has helped me to understand how Germany developed and the struggles they went through to get to where they are today.  I look forward to being able to see Germany’s past history in different cities and how it has changed over time.

Word Count: 625

Germany Blog #4

Germany Blog #4

By watching the BBC’s documentary film on Berlin, there were so many interesting historical moments in time that I was able to learn more about that I did not know before.  I really found Fredrick the Great and East Germany’s building of the Berlin Wall to be very fascinating.

Fredrick II was born on January 24^th, 1712 in Berlin.  Later in life he was hailed as a military genius and given the name Fredrick the Great.  He extended his empire by conducting a series of vicious wars.  In commemoration of Fredrick the Great’s successes on the battle field, the statue, Quadriga was placed on top of the Brandenburg Gate in 1791.  The statue is of the goddess of victory riding a chariot that is pulled by four horses.  The Brandenburg Gate was once the main entrance to the gated city and is not an icon that tells the story of Berlin.  This building demonstrates the clash of ideas that define Berlin such as militarism, idealism, oppression, and liberation.  I find it so interesting that since he won so many wars, they built a statue on top of the Brandenburg Gate to commemorate everything he had accomplished in war. 

Brandenburg Gate in Berlin

Fredrick the Great

 







On August 31^st, 1961, Germany was divided into East Germany and West Germany by the Berlin Wall.  This division would last until November 9^th, 1989.  The Berlin Wall stood as a dividing point for the Communist East Berlin and the Capitalist West Berlin.  The wall was built by East Germany to keep West Germany from being able to leave after three million individuals had fled the city.  West Berlin citizens were basically imprisoned in their territory by the Berlin Wall.  This separated families and people from jobs and opportunities between the sides.  The wall served the State but chattered the City by creating a dividing line between ideologies.  The East side was the Soviet Union and the West side was made up of the United States, Great Britain, and later on, France.  The night the Berlin Wall finally came down that changed the world forever, was actually just an accident that was unplanned and unanticipated.  The head of East Germany’s Communist Party announced that citizens of the German Democratic Republic, otherwise known as East Germany, could cross the border freely.  People celebrated that night by crossing the border and knocking away pieces of the wall.  The Berlin Wall will always be a symbol for the Cold War but the fall of the wall marks the end of the war. 

I find the division between East and West Germany to be very interesting.  I had never known that the fall of the Berlin Wall was an accident and not intended to happen that way.  It makes me wonder if it would have taken a lot longer for the wall to fall.  My Grandpa was stationed in Germany during the Cold War.  Since he was in the United States army, he would have been on the West side.  At the time my Grandpa was deployed my Dad was just born so he lived in Germany for the first three years of his life.  By learning a little bit about the Cold War, I was able to better understand what my Grandpa was fighting in and for at the time.  Although my Grandpa never told me a lot about the war, there were many stories he had told me about his time in Germany and the places he had traveled to.  Later in his life, my Grandpa and Grandma traveled back to Germany but so many things had changed since the last time they were there.  One thing I will always remember is how they explained to me that Berlin looked so different to them when they saw it without the Berlin Wall for the first time.  I am looking forward to seeing this part of Germany so I can see it for myself and tell my Grandma all about my own experience.

Berlin Wall

Celebrating the Berlin Wall coming down

Germany Blog #3

Germany Blog #3

Martin Luther: “Reluctant Revolutionary”

Martin Luther is viewed as one of the most influential as well as controversial figures in the Reformation movement.  On October 31^st, 1517, Martin Luther nailed the Ninety-Five Theses to the chapel door to point out critiques.  The Ninety-Five Theses spread like wildfire throughout Germany, followed by the rest of Europe with the aid of the printing press.  After Martin Luther was excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church and was in hiding, he translated the Bible into the German language to allow ordinary individuals the opportunity and ability to read it as well.  He began organizing a new church called Lutheranism and in doing so gained numerous followers as well as the support from a couple German princes.  After Luther’s ideals spread, Protestantism swept across Germany, France, Netherlands, and Belgium. The results of Martin Luther’s actions hurt the Roman Catholic Church by splitting Europe religiously from Catholicism to Protestant. 

Portrait of Martin Luther

By writing the Ninety-Five Theses, Martin Luther was standing up for his beliefs, and when the revolution grew he continued to fight for what he believed in.  Over time, people backed Luther up and also stood up for him and what he created.  While writing the theses he never realized the impact it would have on all of Europe.  I think Martin Luther was extremely intelligent for using the printing press to spread his ideas throughout Europe.  This was a clever way to continue to get his message across to everyone who may never have been able to hear it otherwise.  Without the Ninety-Five Theses having been written and Protestantism not being created, many things in the world would have turned out differently.  Also without the help of Fredrick the Wise, Martin Luther would have most likely died at a much younger age and been unable to continue writing and spreading is beliefs.

Martin Luther nailing the Ninety-Five Theses

 



This was a very important time culturally by providing people with religious options and the freedom to follow their own beliefs.  At this time Catholic was the main form of religion in Europe but thanks to Luther another option was provided, Christianity.  I think he was extraordinarily brave and outspoken to point out flaws and the wrongness of the indulgences to make others further question things they never thought to before.  Martin Luther took a huge risk by speaking out and going against what everyone else believed in at the time.  Luther was also important to German-speaking lands because he translated the bible into German language, making it available to the common individual.  As well as everything else Luther was beyond intelligent and caring.  Although he was just one man, he created a change that impacted the entire world for the rest of time.

Bible translated in German by Martin Luther





Word count: 470

Germany Blog #2

Germany Blog #2

After traveling abroad this summer throughout different countries in Europe and studying the European economy, I learned an abundant amount of information about the present as well as the history that created the Germany we know today.  Since Germany was a main topic in our studies, one of the places we traveled to was Munich, Germany.  During this time we learned about different aspects of German history as well as went to visit numerous historical places.  Due to this trip I felt like I learned a lot more about Germany and their history but after reading the first two chapters of Hagen Schulze novel, Germany. A New History. I continued to learn more about the past. 

Since I studied the German economy I learned that The European Union is the largest market as well as the biggest exporter in the world.  So when I think of Germany I think of an established country with money and power.  It was interesting to learn how Germany actually took longer to develop and grow to become its own country compared to other countries.  In the fifteenth century, Germany was behind on its state and rulers compared to France, England, and Spain who had developed their governments.

Map of Germany and surrounding land

 

The discovery of the Germania that was written around 100 B.C. for Emperor Trajan, described Germans as distinct people that were worthy of one’s interest.  Before this document was unearthed, German scholars were actually lagging in the international competition for national glory.  I found it interesting that this lost text helped cast a light on German’s that was not there prior.  It makes me wonder if humanist scholars of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries were not trying to strengthen the identity of nations, would they ever have found this document.  If not, then I wonder if Germany would be as strong as it is today or if there would be a different outcome of how the country turned out. 

Text on Germania

 

Germany’s struggle to become a country and power makes me think of the United States split from Great Britain.  The United States was originally not its own country and fought to become what it is today just like Germany.  Both countries have grown so far as to surpass all odds and expectations others have set for them.

Since Germany was absolutely breath taking, I am looking forward to being able to spend an extended period of time just traveling around Germany to see more cities as well as learn more about the history of the country.  Although you may have traveled somewhere, you will always see something new and have new experiences each time you go.  The few days that I was able to travel in Germany this summer was not nearly enough.  I find it interesting to see how Germany developed as a country over time and has continued to change.  I cannot believe the trip is already in three months and I cannot wait to start the adventure!

Word count: 505









Why Choose Germany?

When deciding to study abroad I deliberated with where I wanted to travel to.  In high school I had the amazing opportunity to travel abroad to Rome and London for dance.  These experiences were absolutely amazing and have provided me with many lifelong friends that I have remained in contact with, who live throughout the United States.  After those two trips I fell in love with traveling abroad.  When applying to schools, study abroad options were a factor that I looked into a lot.  After learning about North Central’s study abroad opportunities, I knew I wanted to partake in full term abroad or a d-term trip.  After months of deliberation I decided not to apply to study abroad but to participate in a d-term trip.  Unfortunately last year the trip to Australia was canceled due to lack of students signing up.  So this year I decided to try to go on a d-term trip again.  Since I will soon be traveling throughout Europe this summer for 18 days to Zurich, Munich, Venice, Florence, Rome, and Athens for school credit, I decided I wanted to be able to spend more time in Germany than just two days.  My grandfather was in the army and based in Germany between the Korean War and the Vietnam War.  This resulted in my father being raised for the first three years of his life in Germany.  Growing up my grandparents and father has continuously talked about Germany which has made me want to travel and experience the culture for myself. 

German Christmas Market

Over the past several years I have gone to the Christkindlmarket in downtown Chicago.  Although this German market has been a great opportunity to experience German culture without traveling, I am looking forward to being fully immersed in the culture while studying abroad.  By going to different Christmas markets in Germany I would like to see how well Chicago has tried to provide an experience of German culture compared to the authentic markets we will see. 

Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp

Since I major in psychology, I am looking forward to seeing the different ways people interact in Germany compared to the United States.  As Professor Wolf mentioned, Germany is very open to educating individuals about their past whether it was good or bad.  So I am interested in learning why the German’s are so open about the past achievements as well as failures.  In the United States we never want to inform people of our past mistakes and so I think it is a major cultural difference between these two countries.  One example is by allowing tours to go through concentration camps in Germany.  Although this will be a very emotional experience I feel for everyone, it will also be an experience no one on the trip will ever forget.  This tour will be able to provide us with an experience most people will never be able to have by actually seeing one of the places that the holocaust took place. 

Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria Germany

When traveling abroad to Rome and London in the past, I was able to see numerous castles and cathedrals.  While in Rome some of the places I was able to see were the Vatican and St. Peter’s Cathedral.  In London, I saw St. Paul’s Cathedral and took a tour through Windsor castle.  So I am looking forward to seeing the amazing churches and castles that are in Germany.

This trip will be a once in a lifetime opportunity and I cannot wait to be able to spend three weeks straight in Germany.  I look forward to getting to know more about Germany as well as everyone partaking in the trip.  I hope to be able to come home with a better knowledge of the culture as well as understanding and being able to speak a little German.  

Word count: 629