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Germany/Deutschland

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

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Germany/Deutschland

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  1. Germany/Deutschland Ch 15 Sec 1

  2. 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 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. Culture, cont’d… • Religion: • 1/3 Roman Catholic (N & W GRM); • large # Protestant • Many don’t attend religious services of any kind

  9. Culture, cont’d… • Food: • Pork • Sausages • Veal • Cheeses • Rich pastries

  10. Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte

  11. 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

  12. Neuschwanstein Castle

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 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

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