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Explore German History Beyond World Wars: Geography, Oktoberfest, And Jewelry
If you want to learn a bit more about Germany and its rich history, then look no further than this comprehensive review of the country.
Rather than simply concentrating on the two world wars, as so many people do when it comes to Germany, this book outlines diverse topics that give an insight into the real heart of Germany.
One such topic is what actually unites Germans – it’s not just geography.
We also look at how Oktoberfest was born and investigate which metal is preferred for German jewelry.
Discover the beautiful multiplicity of German histories with this insightful read, and explore some lesser-known facts that may be left out from conventional sources on Germany.
The Brandenburg Gate: A Symbol Of Success, Defeat, And Unity For German People
Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate is the most famous monument in Germany and its history is bittersweet.
Commissioned by Prussian king Fredrick William II, it was meant to be a symbol of peace, modeled after the gate to the Acropolis in Athens.
But it soon witnessed darker days when, in 1806, Napoleon Bonaparte and his French army marched past its Doric columns into Berlin, making him ruler of far more than just the city.
As a visible sign of his dominance and power, he had the bronze sculpture from atop the gate removed and put on display in Paris’ Louvre museum.
Seven years later though, with help from Russia, Prussia defeated Napoleon and reclaimed their beloved Quadriga of Victory sculpture.
It was restored to its rightful place atop the Brandenburg Gate in 1814 and today overlooks crowds celebrating national events such as the FIFA World Cup victory against Argentina in 2014.
Despite being filled with a seemingly jubilant sense of national pride, this grand entrance hides centuries-old pain that should not be forgotten yet continues to shape German identity up until today.
The Ideological Legacy Of The Berlin Wall – How Separation And Reunification Still Reside In Germany
In 1961, the German government made an unprecedented move – they decided to use physical means to divide an already ideologically divided country.
Through this, the infamous Berlin Wall was born.
This impenetrable wall physically separated East Germany from West Germany and sent shockwaves throughout a nation already fractured by years of political disunity.
East and West Germany were initially divided into four zones following World War II, with each zone being governed by one of the principal military powers at the time: The United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Russia.
As communism took hold in Eastern Europe in 1952, those living in West Germany quickly began enjoying far more wealth and freedom than those who remained in East Germany – thus leading to a mass exodus of East Germans seeking refuge in the West.
And so began the steady drain of 3.5 million people from East German soil.
The East German Government reacted quickly – on August 12th, 1961 they sealed off all access points between West Germany and East Germany before commencing secret construction on their own barrier later that night.
This “wall” would be backed up with drastic measures taken by those who stood guard within it: anyone caught attempting to breach it would have been immediately shot down on sight with no questions asked.
For almost 30 years this wall remained standing until reunification and its eventual demolition in 1989 reunited all Germans into one nation again – but its legacy remains forever present both physically and emotionally as cobblestones still line where the wall once ran along the Spree river past Reichstag building where Parliament meets today.
How German Culture And Influence Once Spread Far And Wide Beyond Modern-Day Germany
It’s no surprise that Germany’s cultural and historical influence once extended far beyond its current borders.
In fact, it’s impossible to establish the exact boundaries of German expression, as remnants of its past remain in different parts of Europe.
Take for example the incredible Rhine river.
While today it’s a natural feature used to demarcate the French-German border, historically much farther reaches belonged to Germany.
This is further evidenced by works such as Heinrich Heine’s Die Lorelei poem or Richard Wagner’s Ring of the Nibelung cycle of musical dramas which take place along or near this river.
Besides symbolic references, Germany also left tangible evidence around Europe in the form of architecture and technology.
For instance, Strasbourg cathedral–renowned for its beauty–is considered a symbol of German identity even though it currently lies within France.
Not only is it a perfect example of German extravagance and grandiosity; but also contains an amazing astronomical clock crafted by German clock-makers during they heyday at the end of the Renaissance period.
Ultimately, these examples point to how vast German culture was shaping the European landscape prior to current borders being established – making tracing its exact limits almost impossible!
The Unifying Influence Of German Language: How Martin Luther’S Bible Translations Strengthened A National Identity
German identity is deeply rooted in the German language, a unifying force among Germans for centuries.
This linguistic unity was made possible by the work of religious reformer Martin Luther, who in 1517 began the task of translating the Bible from Latin into German.
With the advent of Johannes Gutenberg’s printing press enabling wide dissemination of Luther’s Bible, it quickly became a reference book for written German and laid the foundation for a standardized written language.
To highlight this connection between language and nationhood, during the Napoleonic invasion of Prussia in 1806, Bavarian King Ludwig I erected the Walhalla – a hall adorned with statues celebrating prominent figures who spoke German, including Erasmus of Rotterdam, Albrecht Dürer and Ludwig van Beethoven.
The legacy of Martin Luther’s translation has endured to this day, binding together all Germans through one shared tongue despite distinct regional dialects.
More than just communicating basic information, language is an essential part of what it means to be German and thus figures heavily into Germany’s collective identity.
Celebrating German Beer: How A Matrimonial Fete Transformed Into The World’S Most Popular Festival
In Germany, beer is about as German as it gets and consuming it is a national pastime with a deep and rich history.
This is exemplified by the German Beer Purity Law which was first written in 1487, restricting the ingredients within beer to only water, barley, and hops.
Even today this law is still enforced, though some modifications have been made – yeast, sugar and gluten free recipes are now allowed.
The legends of its origins began back when the young King Ludwig I got married in Munich – during the festivities they celebrated with a fierce amount of beer consumption that turned into an annual event known as Oktoberfest.
It’s become the most popular festival in the world today and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors who consume millions of liters of beer each year.
According to Roman historian Tacitus, even before this time ancient tribes living along the Rhine had a wave for beer which would continue from sunrise until sunset.
Archaeological evidence has also suggested that drinking it aided tribes to be victorious in their warring against the Roman Empire.
From these early beginnings Germany has established itself as one to be proud off when it comes to brewing beers – claiming it was not only home to pure untainted water sources but that their nation had crafted one of the best beers available at any given time period making them an unavoidable force behind its success.
The German Legacy: How The Hanseatic League Brought Wealth, Power, And Influence To Europe
The Middle Ages saw the rise of a powerful German trade network—the Hanseatic League, also known as Hansa.
This confederation of about 90 market towns in 1400 had considerable power, with each one adhering to independent but united laws and enforcing its own army.
Unsurprisingly, Hansa flourished in no time since it had plenty of resources and could guarantee safe passage for merchants across Europe.
Remnants of this vast medieval trade network can still be found abroad today.
In London, for instance, near the Cannon Street Station there’s a dark passageway named Steelyard Station.
This was once an important trading post and the English headquarters of Hansa, where merchant ships would offload German wine and beer before being loaded with English wool.
Additionally, Germany maintained its strong economic presence in England until the 19th century thanks to affluent traders such as Hans Holbein the Younger who shaped English society at that time.
How Iron Came To Represent Prussia’S National Spirit In The 19Th Century
Prussian royalty had a unique way of showing that they preferred utility over luxury: they wore jewelry made of iron.
In contrast to most other European courts, where jewelry was ornate and gemstones were treasured, Prussian royalty had a fondness for more utilitarian pieces.
Their jewelry often consisted of nothing more than a black iron cross for a pendant, which signified their willingness to give up luxury for something more practical.
The trend for this somber and unassuming metal was particularly popular in the Prussian capital of Berlin.
As an example of its importance, King Frederick William I celebrated his victory over invading Swedes in 1670 by commissioning a statuette of himself on horseback – and it was crafted entirely from iron!
During the 1806 Napoleonic Wars, the Prussian predilection for iron experienced a resurgence when Prussian nobles donated valuable pieces to be melted down and sold as scrap to aid their war efforts.
It wasn’t long before the Iron Cross military medal was introduced in 1813 to recognize those who’d served in battle against Napoleon’s forces – marking a new era of appreciation for the resourceful metal.
Käthe Kollwitz’s Tragic Art Depicting Death, Grief, And War In Germany
Käthe Kollwitz was a German artist who lived in Berlin’s Prenzlauer Berg during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
During this time, she witnessed first-hand many of the darker sides of Germany’s recent history – poverty, famine, war, grief, and death.
In response to this suffering she was surrounded by, Kollwitz created art as a form of protest and memorialization of these events.
Through her paintings and sculptures, Kollwitz conveyed the wretchedness and despair that affected so many in her homeland during those turbulent years.
From Woman and Dead Child honoring impoverished mothers unable to save their children from malnutrition and illness to The Grieving Parents; a moving sculpture weaves depicting two stooped figures mourning the loss of their son in World War I – both serve as potent reminders of what Germany experienced during those troubled times.
Kollwitz’s works on display an unflinching gaze into a side of German history that is often overlooked – demonstrating that while there had been successes before WWI, it was ultimately overshadowed by tragedy when it erupted just four years later.
Even with more than half a century having since passed since then, Kollwitz reminds us not just to learn from our past but ensure it never happens again.
Wrap Up
In conclusion, Germany’s history is intricate and full of pivotal moments in world culture, politics, and countless other fields.
Before World War I, Germany was a federation of countries united by their shared language standardized by Lutheranism.
Beer became an integral part of the German national identity, and their impressive international trading network provided opportunities for many.
The homeland of the Germans gifted us with Gothic architecture as well as mechanical clocks which remain relevant to this day.
Therefore, it can be safely argued that Germany has been a major influence on the globe throughout time.
