HISTORY OF GERMANY
HISTORY OF GERMANY
July 29, 2024
Nestled in the heart of Europe, Germany can be considered to be perhaps one of country’s which is filled with a rich cultural heritage. Apart from the rich history, Germany is also the home to many famous German personalities ranging from Nazi Leader Adolf Hitler, to scientist Albert Einstein and even to the famous musician Ludwig van Beethoven. With its relentless decades of conflict, Germany has a fascinating journey through time and is yet considered to be one of the global high-flyers. In order to understand this rich culture, one must first go back to the history in order to obtain a deeper understanding of it. Here is a crash course of the history of Germany.
ORIGINS 📜
The first clear evidence of the origins of Germany dates back all the way to around 58-50 BCE, around the time of Julius Caesar. Here Germany was considered to be a part of the Roman Empire during the time of 1st century CE. Nevertheless, being part of the Roman Empire, they were still given the autonomy as an independent being and eventually played a pivotal role during the 5th century where the downfall of the Roman Empire occurred.
With this fall, Germany became a refugee for many tribal territories. Later around 800 CE Emperor Charlemagne, soon became the ruler of France and Germany. However, this led to break of the Frankish empire which led to Germany being a separate realm of its own. After which German King Otto was crowned as the leading Roman empire, and began gain control over Italy. Sooner this became to be named as the Holy Roman Empire which was centred around Germany. However, territories were soon extinct in the year of 1806.
MIDDLE AGES 📈
There was a rise of the Hanseatic League, a commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds and market towns in North-western and Central Europe, rose to prominence in the 13th century, highlighting the growing economic importance of the region. Apart from the economic growth and the revolution in the country there was also seen an uprise of Dukes and princes within the Roman Empire.
REFORMATION ⛪️
The 16th century brought significant religious upheaval with the Protestant Reformation, initiated by Martin Luther in 1517. Luther proclaims his 95 Theses, against the traditional church practises which challenged the Catholic Church and led to the establishment of Protestantism.
This religious centred war lasted cumulated for a timeline of 30 years between the years of 1618-1648 which ended with a mass destruction of Germany. In 1648 the Treaty of Westphalia was signed which in turn altered the political landscape of Europe.
RISE OF PRUSSIA
The 18th century saw the rise of Prussia as a dominant force under leaders such as Frederick the Great. Prussia’s military powers and administrative efficiency laid the groundwork for the eventual unification of Germany.
In 1871, after the Franco-Prussian War, the German Empire was proclaimed in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles, Otto von Bismarck achieving unification of Germany under the leadership of Prussia. Under this new leadership the German Empire seeks to create a newly elected national power by giving the emperor more extensive powers.
In 1888, Wilhelm II began his reign as the first German Emperor, by starting his order of business with colonial expansion and build-up of a navy to compete with Britain’s; rapid growth of economic power. At the same time it grew the worker’s movement began to form the Social Democracy party in Germany.
THE WORLD WARS🧨
During the 19th century Germany began to compete with other European countries in the need of wanting to set up colonies in Africa and Asia. With the rise of colonization lead to spark the tension of sparking the infamous World War I. the period between 1914 to 1918 were recorded to be the worst conflict that the world has ever had to witness. With this turmoil Germany along with the other allies lost the 1st world war to Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Romania, Japan. William II abdicates his powers and is exiled from Germany.
Little was it known that Germany’s defeat coupled with the harsh terms in the Treaty of Versailles were mere catalysts to spark another world war. The interwar period saw economic hardship and political instability, leading to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. During the year of 1929 there was a mass unemployment rate which lead to a massive economic collapse.
Once again between the years of 1939-1945 there was an unprecedented destruction where there was mass destruction of the Holocaust which lead to a massive genocide of millions of Jews and millions of others (these included Gypsies, Slavs and other races, the disabled, homosexuals and religious dissenters).
Once the country was defeated by the Soviet Union (Great Britain and USA) in 1945 and Adolf Hitler commits suicide. And Nuremberg war crimes trials see major Nazi figures executed or imprisoned. And the country was divided into occupation zones controlled by the Allies.
This division led to the establishment of two separate states, namely the West the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) and East German Democratic Republic (East Germany). The US, French and British zones in the west become the Federal Republic of Germany; the Soviet zone in the East becomes the communist German Democratic Republic.
Along with this the country lead onto be the centre of a standoff between the soviet union and the western powers which lead to a confrontation of about 44 years which was called to be the cold war.
CURRENT GERMANY
Along with the fall of the Berlin Wall in the year 1989 would have marked the end of the long Cold War and emergence of a reunification for Germany in the 1990. And since then Germany has emerged to be among the political powerful nations in the world. Aside from it’s leading economic stance, Germany is a key competitor in technological, and cultural contributions to the world. Germany is the true testament that to how resilient a nation could be and be able to thrive despite the journey through history they had to undergo. May it be overcoming two World Wars, Germany’s history offers valuable insights for each and everybody as to how they must adapt and shape the world we live in.
Whether you are a travel enthusiast who is planning your next travel destination, or you are planning on studying abroad for higher studies, Germany definitely has something to offer for everyone!
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