Germany Post World War 2

The changes that took place after both World War 1 and World War 2 are very significant.  These changes reshaped the entire makeup of Europe as a whole, and arguably made Europe what it is today.  After World War 1 the German public felt very taken advantage of by the Treaty of Versailles.  This treaty left Germany mostly crippled economically as well as emotionally.  However Germany during the 19^th century always seemed to get up every time they had been knocked down.  Post World War 1 Germany slowly but surely rebuilt itself and its production began to boom.  Once rebuilt the German economy became a major player in the world market.  During this time a democracy was formed and struggles for power from within gave it trouble and it was not as stable as it would have liked to be. These changes affect the Germans badly at first, but through perseverance they slowly became more confident in themselves as Germans.  It was through all of this time between the aftermath of the Great War and the beginning of World War 2 that Germans still held a grudge because of what happened to them from the allied sanctions. 

            These resentments provided a pristine opportunity for Adolf Hitler to rise through the ranks and emotionally sweep Germany off their feet.  He isolated what had been done to Germany economically as well as culturally and convinced masses of people that under his leadership Germany would rise once more.  “Hitler played to the emotional needs of the masses, which the established parties ignored” (Hagen 231). This quote is important because it really shines light upon the idea that one man took advantage of what many other leaders didn’t, the German population.  With this support Hitler really began to rise to power quite rapidly.  Throughout my education I have always had something for history.  However I have always specifically read and researched all phases of the time period leading up to and the ending of World War 2.  It was always fascinating to me how the opportunity for such a radical leader to rise to power and take over most of Europe through the use of military.  It reminds me of the campaigns of Napoleon, it is truly remarkable. 

            With the break out of World War 2 the German Third Reich was in a very prominent position as far as territory goes.  However in 1943 after the Russian stop at outside of Moscow the German offensive soon became a defensive.  “But after the German Sixth Army capitulated in Stalingrad o February 2, 1943, it became very clear even to the German population at home that the chances of victory were receding rapidly, and from then on one defeat followed another” (Hagen 277).  This quote is important because Germany reinvented under Hitler began to once show weakness much like the end of World War 1.  It is almost as if the cycle of defeat was repeating itself over and over again.  All attempts to make Germany a world power feared by everyone had repeatedly failed. 

            Eventually Germany did unconditionally surrender in May of 1945.  This set up the occupation by Allied forces of what was once the great Third Reich.  This hurt Germany very badly it split its culture completely in two.  The eastern half was controlled by Stalin’s Soviet Union.  The Western half’s were split among the Americans as well.  Obviously Russia at this time brought its communist influence over Eastern Germany, and the Allied brought democracy to the Western half.  These differences really amplified conflict between the two and would be a reason the Cold War took place to begin with.  Altogether I think that Hagan does a wonderful job describing and explaining in great detail the events that took place inside of Europe in the 19^th century.  These events are what shaped Germany to be what we know it as today.  I must say that I am very excited to visit parts of history in Germany that are from this era!  

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 (Hitler, leader of the Third Reich)

  (German citizens in the aftermath of World War 2)

  (Germany post World War 1)

Blog #4 German History

In Schulze novel he really shines light upon the idea that throughout Germany’s history they struggled to form a national government and remained untied together as separate factions of Germany.  The Germans of the 18^th century did not come together to form a national political union, however they did begin to advance and become one as a culture.  The language that all printers began to write in was that of German, this is important because although they did not have one central government they did have one central language.  Not having a central government also gave birth to many scholars and intellectuals, because not many citizens were involved in running the central government there was a strong importance set on education.  From this the German region saw the formation of many doctors, poets, civil servants, and clergyman, in other words a more elite group of educated citizens.  Also during this time many of the smaller factions during times of unrest aligned with the two biggest factions in Germany at the time, Prussia and Austria.  “When terms such as “nation”, “fatherland”, or “patriotism” cropped up, they could refer equally well to some vaguely defined Germany, to the specific political unit in which one lived, or both at once” (Schulze 102).  This quote really highlights how there was a loss for a central identity to Germany.  The citizens who lived in the area were loyal to their leaders of their specific houses.  It was only through the development of the arts, and the educated elite that Germany began to acquire a population that was more tightly knit.

            When comparing the United States and Germany in the way they were unified there are many similarities, but also some differences.  Both were made up of different colonies, and both managed themselves separately.  For example New York had different ways of running their colony compared to Virginia.  This is the case as well with Prussia and Austria.  However where they are different is how they unified as a whole.  The American colonies came together with one common goal, and set up a political platform that everyone in America stood for.  Germany on the other hand did not have political issues at the forefront of their unification; rather they used their culture to form what we know as Germany today.  It’s quite ironic as well because in Germany today there is still great divide between citizens on social issues such as religion.  Since the country wasn’t founded on key principles, and fundamental rights, the emphasis on Germany's cultural background is highlighted more in the Germany we know today.

            Another key ingredient in the formulation of Germany as a whole was the industrialization of its society.  Rather than prosper because of political revolution and unique structure of government Germany’s economy create a massive amount of jobs.  By creating jobs, making technological advances in transportation, and a massive migration to urban areas Germany transformed itself into a nation with an identity.  Something that we talked about in class that I found very interesting was how Germany is not built around one city much like France and England were.  This helped in balancing the power between city-states, which helped make up for the lack of governmental organization.

            At the very end of chapter 5 the unification of Germany can be seen, however it is also an ironic sight.  Never before had both legislators, and general’s lead together.  This is exactly what was about to happen parliament had voted for the unification of Germany as well as the nobility of Germany.  This read was very interesting because it provides a gateway from the beginning of the German lands to what we know Germany as today. The time period between these events are pivotal in how Germany was formed. If it wasn’t for the events that took place in the 17^th, 18^th, and 19^th century’s Germany may still be a clump of city-states or not exist at all.

 (Bismark Great German General)

 (A picture of the German confederation during the Napoleonic Wars)

 (A picture of Prussia one of Germany's powerhouses)

Martin Luther A Man Before His Time!

When introduced to such a pivotal figure in not only German history but also the history of the world I was enticed to say the least.  I didn’t understand why I had not known much about such a powerful figure until briefly watching a YouTube video about him.  Martin Luther was to the anti church movement as Martin Luther King was to the civil rights movement.  I believe that in a world with so many individuals we as people forget that the power of one man or woman can influence the world in great ways for good and evil.  The power of good stretches from the powerful words of Martin Luther King to the outrageous minds and beliefs of Hitler.  Martin Luther in my eyes was a classic example for the rest of the world of how ones mind, and words can change the course of history.  What if Martin Luther never gained support from his countrymen?  What if Martin Luther never decided to think out loud with his beliefs?  These are the questions that intellectual individuals struggle with today.  However the way in which Martin Luther paved the path for one to have such an impact arguably hadn’t been seen since the coming of Jesus.  It was interesting to me how Martin Luther utilized the printing press to spread his thoughts and speak freely evading prosecution along the way.  His way of spreading his word is to me much like a viral video that airs on YouTube and catches the hearts and minds of individuals across all continents.  Through all of this I believe that Martin Luther set the table for decisions later on after his death.  These decisions that I talk of our how the world’s governments and people were to live their lives.  It is no wonder that as we live today some citizens do not believe in religion as a whole.  It is quite ironic that if Martin Luther didn’t agree with the Pope back then he was deemed a minion of Satin, but today it is perfectly acceptable to not agree with religion as a whole. Martin Luther showcased to the planet what it was to be brave, even when warned by what was the most powerful man in the world Luther pressed on.  This just goes to show that the man was determined and utilized his knowledge to persuade for the good.  These are the types of political, cultural, and religious figures that interest me in early German history, and it is so exciting to know that I will be traveling to where this all began and educating myself on how the world has gotten to where it now stands today! 447

 (Pope Leo Martin Luther's aggressor) 

 (One of Martin Luther's influential quotes)

 (Martin Luther's words in one of his most famed works! )

Second Blog Entry Germany!

In reading Hagen Schulze’s novel I found many parallels between America and Germany.  From the beginning of what has now become known as Germany the foundation of an empire was not seen.  What I found interesting is that Germany started off as land that was ruled under the church and Roman Empire.  However as time passed between the 15^th and 17^th centuries the Germanic Lands” as many referred them as transformed into something more organized and powerful.  Enjoying history as much as I do, I loved looking at how the Germanic people capitalized on the waning presence the Roman Empire had on them.  As time passed borders of the lands surrounding Germany became more evident, which almost in a sense foreshadowed where Germany is today as a country.  By the end of the 17^th century the novel states that the provinces were to be governed by the princes and the princes were loyal only to Germany as a whole.  This is where I can see the similarities to a more independent and free nation, much like the United States.  The United States was once a country that possessed many main parties that had a legitimate shot as holding power in the government.  This can be seen in the early German days, the princes who governed their respective lands represented them as well.  In a sense this is much like a multiparty system.  I looked at it from the angle that these princes were just not tyrants who suppressed their citizens; they were party platforms in the making.  These same party platforms strived to achieve power in a very organized manner for the time period.  It was almost as if they had to break away from the church and other powerful empires to form their new futures.  This is exactly like the United States of America.  America was under rule of the British Empire for quite sometime however when Britain’s power became weak, and they overexploited their colony Americans forged their own destiny.  The thing that is also funny to me is the way in which the German people pursued every avenue in governing themselves to find the one that best fit them, and ensured their survival as German people.  The avenue that helped pave the evolution of Germany in history was that of institutions.  I believe that the more central a colony, country, or empires institutions are the more strength ones government possesses.  It is in chapter two that this becomes evident.  Once again much like America the institutions in Germany under Roman rule were very weak and lacked validity. Hence paving the path for a slow but steady evolution of German people as we see them today.  Not only am I excited to absorb modern Germany as it is today, but I am also excited to learn how Germany’s people put themselves in a position to get to where they are today!  483

 (The American institution of Congress)

 (Germany in the 17th Century)

 (The German Imperial Diet, where province princes were to be held accountable to their alliance to Germany)

Why Germany?

For myself Germany has been the focal point of my favorite era in history.  My interest in Germany not only includes World War 2, but also the way in which Germany’s society functions and the landscape that surrounds it.  I personally have never been out of the country, and as my first experience and possibly my last i would like to spend it in a place that possesses natural beauty. My heritage is mostly German as well, as my grandfather’s father came directly over. My actual interest in traveling to Germany when I began college was not what it was today.  This is due to the fact that I had a roommate from Germany named Aurel.  I didn’t truly understand what it was like to interact with someone from another culture at first, but I ended up loving it!  As time went on living with my roommate for a while I began to notice that I was always asking questions about Germany itself.  The answers that Aurel provided are what really put me over the edge in wanting to visit Germany.  He described the way in which everyday life occurred, and the natural beauty of Southern Germany where he lives.  He lives in a city named Karlsruhe, which he only had great things to say about the area. My uncle tries to visit Germany once every five years during Oktoberfest; he provided first hand experience as well as souvenirs that intrigued me quite alot.  Seeing that I am an avid history guru, I have always noticed the scenery of Europe from watching specials on television.  Weather it be a special on the blitzkrieg tactics of Hitler’s offensive across the  European countryside, or the beautiful forests and mountainsides of Germany I have always had my eye set on Germany.  I figured that since this realistically is the only chance that I will be able to leave the country and explore the world I would love for my destination to be Germany.  Also the history with East and West Germany is very interesting.  The way in which the two combined after the fall of the wall has to make for a mixed culture like no other, and that is something that I want experience firsthand.  I would have been a little timid to travel by myself to Germany as well; I think that since many of my friends are attending the trip it will make for the right balance of comfort, as well as an experience that I will not forget for the rest of my life. 423 

 (A picture of the German Alps!)

 (A picture of the unique architecture that makes up German major cities!)

 (German cultures food, something that i really look to explore!)

Dan Vogrin

1st Post!

My Blog is up and running!  Good Luck on Finals everyone!