Germany’s History and Road to Unification The Berlin Wall
400s AD Germanic Tribes fight against and take down the Roman Empire
700s AD Charlemagne Begins German unification, crowned emperor Holy Roman Empire
700s – 1870 Germany ( Holy Roman Empire) split between many groups Christian Empire trying to reclaim the greatness of Rome…Really a Misnomer – not really Holy, not Roman, Not an Empire
1871 Germany united as one country, immediately becomes world power Declaration of Otto Von Bismarck as chancellor of Germany
Joins military alliances in Europe with Austria- Hungary, created Balance of Power
Germany “loses” WWI – blamed for the War, pays for War
1920s Economy Collapses, Adolf Hitler takes Power, restarts War unit – Reclaim German pride/power
1936 Summer Olympics German Power on display again
Ugly side of Nazi Power Jews = German “scapegoat”
World War II - Germany Conquers Europe
Europe 1942 – Germany’s greatest Power
Germany loses WWII
1945 Germany is divided into East and West Germany – East – Soviet Union influence West – America, Britain France influence
East Germany – Struggling Communist State West Germany flourishing Democracy
1989 Berlin Wall taken down and Germany is Reunited
Today: Germany is a World Economic Power and a Member of the E.U.
The President of Germany Horst Köhler. The Reichstag in Berlin is the site of the German parliament.
Famous Germans
German Culture Mostly protestant, or non-religious German language (DUH!) deutschland
Physical Geography Rivers – Elbe, Rhine, Danube Northern European Plain – Rich soils for agriculture Ruhr Valley – Coal and industry areas
Issues Today 1. Inequality of East & West 1. Wessis better off 2. Ossis resentment, had guaranteed jobs/housing under communism 2. Immigration Mostly Turks – lack of German culture Prejudice, possible ethnic/religious fighting
3. Germany (and Europe’s) Aging Population See page 334