Germany Becomes a Nation

map of the Holy Roman Empire

Germany did not become an independent nation until 1871, after the Holy Roman Empire came to an end. From the 1600s to the 1800s, the Holy Roman Empire was still in existence in Europe. Many challenges existed though for the empire. In the text, Germany: A New History, by Hagen Schulze, we are informed of the state of the empire. He states, “The drastic decline in population and general poverty following the end of the Thirty Years’ War were matched by widespread economic stagnation, as the territories of the empire were cut off from the growing transatlantic trade and fruits of colonial conquests abroad” (70).  The empire was clearly in bad shape and appeared as weak and unimpressive to the rest of the world. Calls for reform and unification began to break out across Europe. Thirst for power and change among the principalities led to many wars throughout the empire. The shifting of national boundaries was not rare during this time, with so many conflicts taking place. 

By the late 1700s, the Germans were criticizing themselves as “a constitutional enigma, booty for our neighbors, the butt of their ridicule, divided among ourselves, weakened by our partition, strong enough to harm ourselves, powerless to save ourselves, insensitive to the honor of our name, lacking unity n principles but violent in asserting them nevertheless, a great and yet despised people, fortunate in theory but in fact most pitiable” (87). Even though they were still divided and had many other issues, the Germans were making great progress towards becoming a nation at this time. They grew, along with their culture and identity. Leaders and officials began to come to power based on training and ability, rather than inheriting power through aristocratic birth. Education became increasingly important to the German people. This cultural growth resulted in Germany being proclaimed “the new Greece” and “powerless but intellectually supreme” (91).  A German nationalism and identity had begun to take shape, but soon war broke out across Europe again. 

map of central Europe 1862-1871

Franco-German War

By 1797, the number of principalities had dropped from three hundred and four to only thirty (97). Great change and reform spread across Europe. War raged for years, leaving Europe fragmented like before. The German people wanted a free and united Germany to rise. German nationalism was reborn around 1840, but there continued to be unrest in Europe.  Demands for freedom and a federal German state became more prominent. Then the industrialization and the birth of railroads meant that a unified economy was finally possible in Germany. This transformed German society. Once again, the public was seized by German nationalism and the prospect of a new future for their country. War led to the Treaty of Prague and the new establishment of the North German Confederation. France wanted to stop a German unity from happening though. The Franco-German War resulted. In the end, a peace treaty was signed on May 10, 1871. King William I of Prussia became the German emperor and Germany became its own nation at last. 

King William I

The German state was founded after the efforts of centuries of conflict and resolution. The wars throughout Europe continually shaped the continent and its numerous territories and principalities. The hunger for power and freedom seemed to drive these conflicts. With so many different states, it was difficult for the continent to be unified. So many different cultures and ideas all mingled in a small region. Europe was continually evolving. Germany’s identity evolved along with Europe. The desire for freedom, education, and independence led Germany to unification. The people desperately wanted to be unified. They fought for what they believed in and became their own nation.

Word Count: 606

Berlin History

Berlin truly has a rich history. Over the years there have been so many changes in this city, and yet the people never seem to give up. While watching the fifteen part video, Berlin History, I learned a lot about this amazing city. It seems to be a place where ideas have always clashed. One aspect of Berlin’s past that I find fascinating is how the architecture of the city has evolved. Berlin started out as an average city, but under the guidance of architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel, the city transformed. Inspired by the elegance and classical style of cities like ancient Greece, Schinkel made the city look older than it really was. He turned the city into a European capital. Before long though, he became inspired by industrialism. Schinkel loved romanticism and beauty, but progressive form also excited him, so he melded the two into his architecture. And the city continued to progress. 

As the video tells us, “By the turn of the twentieth century, Berlin had become the most modern city in the western world.” This is quite remarkable, considering that this metropolis had just been a small city. It’s amazing to see how much Berlin changed, and continued to change. Another famous architect, Peter Behrens, left his mark on the city as well. Behrens believed that advances in technology had to be designed with artistic form. He wanted everything to be beautiful. And so creativity and beauty blossomed in the city, as modernism transformed Berlin. This seemed like a wonderful time in the history of Berlin’s architecture, combining both aesthetics and practicality. But this ended with Hitler. He wanted to create a new capital city under his reign. This didn’t last long though, as Berlin was demolished during WWII. The city was left in such ruins that some believed it would never be rebuilt. “But Berlin is a city that simply won’t give up,” Matt Frei states in the video. “A succession of new, old buildings keep appearing. They acknowledge rather than deny their history.” Throughout history the people of the city have not given up. They always seem to look forward, and yet don’t forget the past either. The city continues to grow, change, and rebuild even today.

the current Berlin skyline

Another historical aspect that I find both fascinating and heartbreaking is that of the Berlin Wall. After the end of WWII, Germany was divided between the Allies. The East was controlled by Russia, while the West was under the control of America, Britain, and France. Unofficially Berlin was also divided into East and West. Soon the ideologies of the two sides clashed. When East Berliners started fleeing to the West, the East German government decided to build a wall to keep East Berliners out of West Berlin and to keep West Berliners out of East Germany. Family, friends, and neighbors were separated overnight. Many still tried to flee to West Berlin, with people even jumping from windows on the border.  Some people were successful in crossing the new border and others lost their lives.

 I can’t even imagine what it must have been like for the citizens of Berlin. They were separated from the people they loved, cut off from work and supplies, not allowed to travel freely through their own city, and all of West Berlin was completely trapped within the wall. Although, these citizens in the West were free and came to stand as a symbol for freedom in the western world. They would not simply give up and bow their heads in defeat. The people of Berlin truly represented freedom. In 1963 John F. Kennedy visited West Berlin and gave a speech that ended with, “All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin, and therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words ‘Ich bin ein Berliner!’” He gave support and hope to the people of this divided city. 

people celebrating the fall of the wall

  When the wall finally came down in 1989, it marked the end of the cruelties of the cold war. Germany was once again unified and free. Today a double line of bricks marks a path through the city where the wall once stood, as a reminder of the past. The video is truly correct in stating that “Berlin is a city where the past and the future just keep colliding.” The resilient Berliners keep moving forward while never forgetting their past. I now feel that I know a lot more about the history of this remarkable city and cannot wait to experience it in person. 

Word Count: 754

Martin Luther: Reluctant Revolutionary

Martin Luther

The video, Martin Luther: Reluctant Revolutionary gives the audience a look into the life of Martin Luther. He was a very influential figure in history. As a monk, Martin Luther saw problems within the Catholic Church and a need for reformation. Rather than just waiting for change to happen, Luther spoke out against the church. He stood up for what he believed in.

Luther's Ninety Five Theses

His Ninety-Five Theses first outlined his issues with the church in 1517. This was followed by more writings, which quickly circulated Europe with the help of the printing press. Of course the Pope was outraged with Luther and excommunicated him. When Luther was then called to appear before the Diet of Worms in 1521, he bravely refused to recant any of his writings because they were all true. Under the protection of Prince Frederick the Wise of Saxony, Luther was able to spark the Reformation.

Luther appears before the Diet of Worms

As quoted from the video, Martin Luther stated, “I decide to believe freely and to be a slave to the authority of no one, whether counsel, university, or pope. And I was bound not only to assert the truth but to defend it with my blood and death.” This is truly a remarkable statement for this time period. His strong belief in freedom was exemplary. He stood up to the authority of the church and the state and became a leader. Luther was a new kind of free thinker. He wanted to liberate mans’ relation with God, liberate the vision of salvation, free the people from oppression, and put an emphasis on the individual. His radical principles of religious freedom faced opposition, but also received support. The people of Germany found hope in his words and views. Traveling across the country to the Diet of Worms, Luther found he had gained more popularity than he had imagined. It was moving to see the support of the German people. A hope had been awakened in them, and now they were calling for reform too. Before long his ideals began to spread across the world.   

Martin Luther was successful as a cultural, religious, and political revolutionary. Although, I don’t think he meant to cause such a revolution initially. He just wanted to see change in the church and spoke out about it. Once the people were on board with his beliefs, a revolution was born. He gave people hope and a new thirst for freedom. For his efforts, Luther will forever go down in history as a great emancipator of humanity. I truly have a great respect for this man, as I too strongly believe in personal freedoms. In a time where he knew his beliefs could easily get him killed, Luther shared his vision of freedom. He stood up for his beliefs and changed the course of history. 

pictured here are Luther and others important to the Reformation

 Word Count: 465