Germany/Deutschland

Ch 15 Sec 1

History Germanic tribes

Fought Roman Empire 700s AD – Charlemagne – united some GRM kingdoms

Later it broke into hundreds of small states Loose confederation = the Holy Roman Empire

1300s AD –100 northern German towns created a trading group – Hanseatic LeagueHanseatic League Dominated trade in Baltic region

1700s AD – many powers controlled German states Prussia & Habsburg Empire

Prussia wanted to unite Germany – 1871 1890-1914 – prospered; great industrial & military power

The World Wars

Military too powerful? France, Britain and Russia formed military

alliances; The Allies (US later) Helped maintain a balance of power 1914 – BofP became unbalanced = WWI

Germany allied with Austro-Hungarian Empire, Bulgaria & Ottoman Empire

The World Wars, cont’d…

1918 – WWI ended Germany in ruins; economy collapsed

Food shortages, high inflation, high unemployment

Enter Hitler, 1933 – “I have the answer to your problems!”

1939 – Hitler invaded Poland = WWII 1945 – WWII ended

50 million people dead

Division & Reunification

Allied victors divided Germany West Germany under US, Britain and France East Germany under Soviet Union

West Germany – Democracy – economy thrived East Germany – Communism – economy lagged behind 1990 – Unified once more

Culture

Unified Germany – Democratic government Capital – Berlin 16 states or Länder; Bavaria is the largest Language – German oder Deutsch Classic novels, plays, poetry Composers and artists

Es war ein alter Konig

Es war ein alter König,    Sein Herz war schwer, sein Haar war grau.    Der arme, alte König,    Er nahm eine junge Frau.        Es war ein schöner Page,    Blond war sein Haupt, leicht war sein Sinn,    Er trug die seidne Schleppe    Der jungen Königin.        Kennst du das alte Liedchen?    Es klingt so süß, es klingt so trüb:    Sie mußten beide sterben,    Sie hatten sich viel zu lieb!        Heinrich Heine

Culture, cont’d…

Religion: 1/3 Roman Catholic (N & W GRM); large # Protestant

Many don’t attend religious services of any kind

Culture, cont’d…

Food: Pork Sausages Veal Cheeses Rich pastries

Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte

Culture, cont’d…

Concern over environment Air and water pollution Acid rain

“Green parties” among the government Passed laws to protect natural environment

GRMY – strictest environmental laws in the world Germans love to spend their time outdoors

Neuschwanstein CastleNeuschwanstein Castle

Economy

Economic powerhouse!! Country’s GDP is 4th largest in the world

Prominent member of the EU Trade is w/other EU members, US and Japan German lang. used for business in Central Eur.

Diverse Economy Manufacture

Automobiles (VW, BMW…) Electronics Medical equipment

Chemicals Steel High-tech computer equipment

Economy, cont’d…

Industrial Power (Ruhr Valley) Coal Iron ore Other minerals

Agriculture (almost ½ of GRMY’s land) Very efficient, needs few people to work Grains Potatoes Sugar beets

Economy, cont’d…

Nuclear Power Provides 1/3 of GRMY’s electricity 2001 – gov. gradually closing all nuclear power

plants Imports almost all of oil

Issues & Challenges

Changing Population Low birthrates, longer life expectancies, immigrants

Largest immigrant group: Turkey Live in clusters in large cities Work in the industrial sector Islamic religion, lang. & distinct culture isolates them Other immigrants: ethnic Germans from former Soviet

Union

Issues & Challenges, cont’d…

East side up to West’s standard of living Costs a lot of $$$ High unemployment Lots of pollution = environmental cleanup

Easterners: Ossis Westerners: Wessis

O resents W for higher standard of living