germany/deutschland ch 15 sec 1. history germanic tribes fought roman empire 700s ad – charlemagne...
TRANSCRIPT
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