Study of German Culture

So now on to the good stuff that makes Germany so unique and interesting. Throughout history the Germans made major contributions to society in numerous fields. Ranging from philosophy, science, religion, to the arts. The German people have constantly reformed and furthered human society whilst creating their own unique identity. They've been referred to as a nation of thinkers, never afraid to challenge the status-quo. This rich cultural history has united the German people with a strong pride for their Deutschland.

Although I have zero German heritage whatsoever I admire all cultures and the past few months have been intrigued by this one. It's not new that I have been fascinated by Germany's culture and history. I suppose it began as a kid with the history books, and has grown into a much deeper understanding through their culture. It's their music, food, art, customs, philosophy, beer, soccer, and proud traditions that make them such an interesting culture worth appreciating.  

German Folklore

I suppose the roots of any culture lies within their folklore, mythology, or ancient tales. One of the most well known poets of the middle ages was the minnesinger, Walther von der Vogelweide, who infused poetry with musical lyrics (1170 to 1230). Then there were numerous epic poems of the middle ages most notably the Nibelungenlied, "The Song of the Nibelungs". This classic German story embeds the characters of Norse/Germanic mythological tales into an epic poem. The story later inspired Richard Wagner's masterpiece opera Der Ring des Nibelungen. It is an essential classic tale of German culture.

The basic synopsis of the "The Song of the Nibelungs" tells the story of a dragon slayer, Seigfried, who falls for King Gunther's sister, Kriemhild. Yet before Seigfried can enjoy his treasure and new found love he is wooed and manipulated by an Icelandic queen, Brunhild, the wife of King Gunther. However Seigfried is able to overcome Brunhild's manipulation which upsets her immensely. In order to avoid war, the king's brother Hagen, murders Seigfried and hides the treasure in the Rhine river. At Seigfried's funeral Brunhild throws herself in the flames to join him in the afterlife. Seigfried's lover, Kriemhild eventually takes revenge with an army of Huns to reclaim her husband's treasure.

The most notable of German folklore comes from the Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, also known as the Brothers Grimm. From 1812-1857 these academic linguists began a series of collecting, publishing, and popularizing old folktales. Although they cannot take full authorship they did manage to popularize these stories within German culture. Here is a list of their well known publications and fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm, most of which have been adapted into American culture by Walt Disney.

• Cinderella
• The Frog Prince
• Hansel and Gretel
• Rapunzel
• Rumpelstiltskin
• Snow White
• Sleeping Beauty
• Pied Piper of Hamelin

German Philosophy, Science, and Religion

When considering the long list of famous German philosophers, inventors, theologians, and scientists, it's clear to understand where the expression the land of thinkers came from. Germans were at the forefront of the Scientific Revolution and the Age of Enlightenment. They were at the focal point of shaping western philosophy and the understanding of life. Their roots of obtaining greater knowledge can be traced back to the middle ages when the church ruled everything.

In 1136 a German abbess nun named Hildegard of Bingen began to influence the church on many different aspects. She was a polymath, a master of music, composition, philosophy, writing, and theological insight. She founded several monasteries, made great contributions to the arts of music and drama, and especially noted for her spiritual mysticism. She is considered the "Doctor of the Church".

 In 1413 German blacksmith Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press that would forever change human understanding. With the mass publications of bibles, Europeans everywhere could read and think for themselves. Many years later came another theological giant named Martin Luther. In 1517 he completely challenged the church's teachings with new insight, that eventually triggered a grand scale Protestant Reformation. Although he may be considered an enemy to the Catholic Church, his courageous beliefs paved the way for free-thinking.

During the Age of Enlightenment came a renaissance of philosophy with German thinkers leading the way. By the early 1700s, a new movement of rationalism had unfolded throughout Western Europe. This idea brought forth a more analytic approach of understanding the world. It was made popular by French philosopher Rene Descarte, Dutch philsopher Baruch Spinaoza, and the German philosopher Gottfriend Wilhelm Leibniz. Leibniz was considered an optimist thinker, using mathematical theory to prove that the world was the best it could be.

Leibniz later influenced two of my all time favorite philosophers, Immanuel Kant and Arthur Schopenhauer. In 1781 Immanuel Kant's Critique of Pure Reason took rational thinking a step further by incorporating theories of experience, aesthetics, and metaphysics. This concept later influenced Schopenhaur's theories of transcendentalism (as well as American philosophers Thoreau and Walden) and Friedrich Nietzsche's theories of individual perspective. This philosophical movement was later challenged by German Idealism and notable thinkers such as Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel.

By the mid 1800s came new influences of political theories most notably Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels who challenged the dangers of industrialization with their publications of Das Kapital and Communist Manifesto. This lead to political revolutions all throughout Europe for the next 100 years. In the early 1900 German thinkers once again furthered the scope of understanding in the fields of modern physics. Albert Einstein introduced new theories of relativity while Max Planck introduced theories of quantum mechanics.

German Music

Dating back to the 16th century German composers played a leading role in shaping Western Classical Music. Many of my favorite classical musicians happen to be German; Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, and Richard Wagner are a cut above the rest in my opinion. As a child I was greatly influenced by the movie Amadeus, Fantasia, and many classical albums my dad would play around the house.

The rise of this classical music came after the Renaissance, from 1600 to 1750 in what is known as the Baroque Period. Notable German composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frederick Handel, Georg Telemann, and Johann Pachelbel introduced tonality through various forms of opera, cantantas. oratarios, sonatas, and concertos.

This was followed by the Classical Period from 1750 to 1820 led by notable German names such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig Van Beethoven, and Franz Shubert. They introduced new formats of string quartets and symphonies. By this time the Austrian city of Vienna had become the musical capital of the world and these composers were considered superstars. Some musicians did not handle the fame so well, and were turned mad as an affect of their genius, such as in the case of Mozart or Beethoven. However there music has withstood the test of time.

During the Romantic Period that followed, came a new direction towards musical nationalism from 1815 to 1910. Many countries used music to identify their culture and Germany was once again setting the bar. One of the finest examples of Romantic nationalism is the passionate music of Richard Wagner. He infused German folklore such as the Nibelungenlied into powerful operas. His unique style of recurring themes, rhythm, and harmony forever changed music. Other notable German musicians of the Romantic era were Johannes Brahms, Robert Schumann, Felix Mendelssohn, Richard Strauss, and Gustav Mahler.

German Art and Architecture

During the Northern Renaissiance one of the most famous German artists was Albrecht Durer best known for his engravings and religious paintings. However one of my all time favorite painters is Caspar David Freidrich from Germany's Romantic Period (Favorite Painters). Several of his paintings such as the Wanderer above the Sea of Fog and The Man and Woman Contemplating the Moon are on my top 25 list. His paintings embody German folklore, culture, incredible landscapes, and national pride. Another influential German artist of the modern age worth mentioning is the surrealist Max Ernst.

The architecture of Germany is especially unique and a defining element of their cultural landscape. When I think of German architecture I consider the incredible Gothic castles and cathedrals of the Middle Ages such as the Cologne Cathedral. I also think of the classical Brandenburg Gate of Berlin, built in the late 1700s.

Then there's the magnificent Neuschwanstein Caslte in the sky, built in the late 1800s as a homage to Richard Wagner. This incredible castle sits on a mountain top in a valley, and it's surreal setting has inspired many fictional settings, most notably Disneyland. Here's a list of some of the very important German landmarks that demonstrate their incredible architecture;

• Old town of Rothenburg (950)
• Heidelberg Castle (1214) Heidelberg
• Cologne Cathedral (1248) Cologne
• Neushwainstein Castle (1892) Bavaria
• Dresden Frauenkirche (1743) Saxony
• Brandenburg Gate (1791) Berlin

German Cuisine

When I think of German Cuisine the first thing that comes to mind is beer, sausage, brats, and sauerkraut. They also are famous for their deserts and pastries such as strudels, rodgrod pudding, and black forest cake. Their cultural cuisine is best demonstrated at their yearly festival of Octoberfest where all varieties of local food and beers can be tasted.

The Germans have a rich heritage in brewing with varieties of flavors such as pale lager, wheat beer, ales, dark beers, and sour beers to name a few. Their drinking containers are also very unique and personalized from stone crafted mugs to giant glass boots.

German Futbol

Another thing I really admire about Germany is their strong futbol tradition. Their national Bundesliga has become one of the most respected professional leagues in Europe, much thanks to successful clubs such as Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. They've hosted the Fifa World Cup twice in 1974 and 2006; have been runner-ups four times in 1966, 1982, 1986, and 2002; and have won the World Cup finals three times in 1954, 1974, and 1990. Notable German superstars have been;

• Helmut Rahn (1951-1963)
• Franz Beckenbaeur (1964-1983)
• Gerd Muller (1963-1981)
• Jurgen Klinsmann (1981-1998)
• Oliver Kahn (1987-2008)
• Michael Ballack (1995-2012)
• Miroslav Klose (1997-present)
• Philip Lahm (1999-present)
• Bastian Schweinsteiger (2000-present)
• Lukas Podolski (2003-present)

Historical Look: Rise of the Third Reich

Nazi Germany was without question the most evil government in modern history. They were the cause of two of the most devastating events of the 20th century; World War II and the Holocaust. What's most intriguing to me is not their villainous regime of racism, national pride, and war-mongering, yet how this regime was able to come to power in the first place. In this post I intend to study how Germany was able to quickly transform their entire society into such a hateful one.

I've always found the developing stages of a social movement to be the most fascinating part of history. Whether it's political, religious, or cultural these historic revolutions demonstrate a significant social transition on a massive scale. I've posted many historical studies in the past concerning these social-political transformations; such as the establishment of the Roman Empire, the United States of America, Russian Revolution, Fascist Italy, and the early spread of Christianity to name a few.

For good or for bad these historic reformations are an undeniable part of human history and I merely want to recognize them. I made this study a while back on the Rise of the Third Reich however never posted it as I considered it a touchy subject. I figured now would be a good time to post about it, as I've recently embarked on a study of German culture and history. I simply want to share some basic insight on this sensitive subject without any bias. Nazi Germany was a terrible thing, however it was perhaps one of the most influential events of the 20th century. I think it's important that we don't forget about our human history yet rather learn from it to progress onward. 

The German Revolution

After WWI, the Treaty of Versailles, put the entire blame of the war on Germany. As a result Germany was forced to disarm, make territorial concessions, and pay reparations. This caused an economic downturn and angered many German nationalists and revolutionists. he German Revolution of 1918-1919 was a politically-driven civil conflict in Germany among nationalists, communists, and the the German monarchy. It was the first major event, that led to the end of the German Empire and the formal establishment of a new democracy known as the Weimar Republic.

The Weimar Republic became a liberal democracy, led by their first president, Friedrich Ebert. for 15 years Ebert was able to sustain political revolts and uprisings and work to restore Germany's struggling economy. The period lasted from 1919 to 1933, and eventually failed for several reasons, mostly due to strong opposition. The greatest of this opposition came from a group of right-wing extremists, known as the Nazis. They were led by Adolf Hitler. 

The Nazi Party

The Nazi Party was a far-right political ideology that was established by German nationalists. These members were mostly frustrated with the Treaty of Versailles and wanted to return their country to it's own destiny. It was formed by Anton Drexler in 1918 as the National German Worker’s Party. The basic agenda of the Party was;

• Fascism Ideology (Nationalized Socialism)
• Anti-Capitalism, Anti-Communism
• German Cultural Pride; considered themselves the Master Aryan Race
• Opposition to the Treaty of Versailles
• Antisemitic
• Anti-Monarchist

The Beer Hall Putsh

By 1923, Adolf Hitler had become head of the Nazi Party and lead an attempt to overthrow the government known as the Beer Hall Putsch. The coup was unsuccessful and Hitler was sent to jail for a year. While in prison he wrote his fascist manifesto known as Mein Kampf.  The manifesto mostly blamed Jews for all of Germany's problems. Once he was out of prison, Hitler began a political campaign with his Nazi party. He was known for his passionate speaking that quickly gained the public's attention. He promised to regain power, save the German economy, overturn the Treaty of Versailles, and restore German pride. By 1932 he was elected as chancellor to President Hindenburg and finally in the driver's seat of total reformation. 

The Reichstag Fire

On Feb, 27th of 1933, there was a major fire at the Reichstag parliament building which became a pivotal event for the establishment of Nazi-Germany. The fire was reported as an act of terrorism initiated by Communists. However this was a controversial event, and many speculate that it was a Nazi staged event in order to further their political strength. It granted Hitler more power to purge any political dissidents. The Reichstag Fire was seen as the ultimate attack against Germany, and used as a rallying cry to unite Germans and vilify communists. 

In 1934, Hitler gained full control of the army through the Night of the Long Knives, which was a purge of political opponents. He managed to kill many political opponents, including the leaders of the SA (storm-troopers). Following this purge, Hitler was able to unite the SA with the SS (shield squadron) and thus establish a greater German Army.

Establishment of the Third Reich

A month after the Night of Long Knives President Hindenburg had died, and Hitler became dictator of the newly established totalitarian regime. Germany thus became known as the “Third Reich”  as a historical reference to the Holy Roman Empire, and the German Empire.  From 1933-1939 the Nazis began to rebuild their economy and government structure. 

The Nazis were ale to unite their country in a rapid time frame due to their iron fist control. They were able to gain support through fear and heavy propaganda. Joesph Goebbels headed up the propaganda machine using big events, such as the Nuremburg Rally or the 1936 Berlin Olympics to glorify Germany's new government. Wilhelm Frick was put in charge of education, with an emphasize the shape young German minds. 

Another key ingredient for this quick rise to power was Hitler's secret police force known as the Gestapo. It was headed up by Henrich Himmler who also lated commanded the SS armed forces. This gestapo was crucial in establishing civilian loyalty and eliminating those who were opposed. They infiltrated the streets and would not hesitate to spy, injure, arrest, or kill any dissidents to the Fuhrer.

Antisemitism

Jews were especially despised within the new German regime, and led to blatant racism. From the beginning of it's establishment, the Nazi regime began passing laws that restricted Jewish rights. Jews were eventually cleared from the streets, stripped of their citizenship, and banned from Germany. On The Night of the Broken Glass, Germans deported nearly 30,000 Jews to concentration camps. This marked the beginning of the Jewish-Eradication and the prelude to the Holocaust.

In 1935 the Nurmeburg Laws were passed which limited many of the Jew's basic human rights. After the Kristallnacht of 1938 Jews were deported out of Germany and into ghettos and labor camps. The Warsaw Ghetto in occupied-Poland, was one of the largest of these Jewish ghettos (Warsaw Ghetto). At the start of World War II these concentration camps were used primary as forced labor for the Nazi war effort. Executions were quite common early on for workers who were disloyal or inefficient.

By 1943 as the Nazi's began to lose initiative in the war, Hitler declared a Final Solution to completely eliminate all Jews. This was carried forth through firing squads and gas chambers. By the end of 1945 nearly 6 million Jews had been exterminated by the Nazi Germans. This terrible human atrocity was one of the darkest events in human history and demonstrates the evil that was the Nazi Regime.  

Study of German History

It's a shame nowadays when most people hear the word German they quickly associate it with Hitler's Nazi Germany. I suppose it's hard not to, when you consider the extreme ideology of Aryan supremacy, war mongering, and genocide that shook the entire world for ten years. It has forever scarred the German legacy, and perhaps rightfully so.

However with that said, it's fair to note that prior to the terrible Nazi regime, the German people had a long rich history to be proud of. Throughout history they've contributed in numerous fields ranging from science, philosophy, classical music, architecture, folklore, and religious reform to name a few. Ever since the dark days of the Third Reich, they've been slowly on the upswing returning to these traditional German values and customs.

I've developed a personal interest in Germany over the years for various reasons. My dad spent some time there with the military in the 70s and would always tell us of his hippy adventures on his Ducati motorcycle. Then there was the World Cup Final of 2002, where I first discovered Germany's powerful futbol history. During my time in Costa Rica 09 I met many Germans; some were friendly, some were serious, some were very blunt, and all of them were interesting. Here in Indianapolis, the past few years I've continued to bump into proud Germans here and there, and I've begun to admire their unique culture.

The Germanic Tribes

The region of Germania, east of the Rhine river, began to take shape with the rise of barbaric tribes that challenged the Roman Empire. Their first major victory came in the year 9 AD, at the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest where the German tribes led by Arminius were able to defeat the Roman armies. However these Germanic Wars continued for many years from 113 BC to the Roman Empire's eventual collapse in 596 AD. Germanic tribes such as the Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Vandals, Burgundians, Lombards, Saxons, and Franks played a crucial role in the fall of the Roman Empire. In 493, the Ostrogoth tribe led by, Theodoric the Great lead the final conquest of Italy.


By the late 5th century the Franks became the most powerful Germanic tribe in the region and after the downfall of the Roman Empire, the Frankish Empire took control of central Europe. The kingdom was founded by Clovis in 496 as he became the first Merovingian Frankish King. Clovis ushered in an era of Catholic reform throughout central Europe that was later carried forth by his predecessor Charles the Great, "Charlemagne". From 771 to 814 King Charles lead an expansive conquest into the western Germanic lands and south into Italy, uniting the Frank and Germanic tribes. By 800 Charlemagne was considered the father of Europe and became crowned by the pope as the first Holy Roman Emperor.

The Holy Roman Empire

Charlemagne's reunification of Europe lead to an era of inspiration within the Catholic Church known as the Carolingian Renaissance. However this period of influence was short-lived when Charlemagne's grandchildren began fighting for control and splitting territory. By 843 the Carolingian Empire was divided into 3 sections; West Francia (which would later become the Kingdom of France), Middle Francia (which Incorporated the Kingdom of Italy) and East Francia (which would later become the Kingdom of Germany).

By 936 Otto the Great, eldest son of Henry the Fowler, began an expansive campaign as King of Germany. He furthered the tribes unification through strategic marriages, powerful appointments, and a successful conquest of Italy. In 962 he was once again crowned by the pope, in the example of Charlemagne, as the Holy Roman Emperor. The Holy Roman Empire was thus established consisting of the Kingdom of Italy, Burgundy, Bohemia, and Germany at its center core.

During the middle ages, the Holy Roman Empire became the military muscle of the Catholic Church. Newly formed religious orders such as the Knights Templar and Teutonic Knights took shape and lead crusades throughout Europe and against the Muslims. During these dark ages however came two of the most celebrated German Christian artists. St. Hildegard of Bingen, a nun from the Rhine, who gained recognition as a mystical polymath with her musical compositions and theological writings. Also there was Walther von der Vogelweide one of the first celebrated German poets of the middle ages.

The Protestant Reformation

In the year 1517 a new movement against the Catholic Church began in the heart of Germany lead by Martin Luther and his 95 Thesis. This lead to a Protestant Reformation that years of Catholic teachings. It especially targeted the corruption of power that had unfolded within Rome. It did not take long for the movement to cause division within the Holy Roman Empire between loyal Catholics and newly reformed Christians. The Catholic Church responded with a Counter-Reformation at the Council of Trent and new Jesuit missionaries.

However by 1618 this religious division eventually turned into a political division that led to the Thirty Years War. The land of Germany became the central war-front to one of the bloodiest conflicts Europe had ever known. By 1648 the feud had been settled at the Peace of Westphalia. This treaty granted freedom of religion to each European state and lessened the power of the Catholic Church and the Holy Roman Empire.

Shortly after the Protestant Reformation, Germany embarked on an Age of Enlightenment with great influences on science, philosophy, and the arts. Guttenburg's printed bible had been translated into German and soon the majority of the population could read and write because of it. Soon after German scientists such as Nicolaus Copernicus and Johannes Keppler began challenging ancient Catholic teachings. Philosophers such as Immanuel Kant and Arthur Schopenhaur began challenging rational thinking with metaphysical thinking. And then there were the numerous musical German geniuses such as Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Wagner, and Haydn to name a few.

The German Confederation

However after the French Revolution of 1789 Europe was once again shaken by change and war. Napoleon lead a strong military campaign into the eastern lands of Europe and conquered much of Germany, Austria, Prussia, and the Holy Roman Empire. By 1806 the Holy Roman Empire was completely dismantled at the Battle of Austerlitz and soon after a German Confederation was put in its place. This was perhaps one of Germany's weakest moments as they were completely divided into smaller states. They however experienced an age of industrialization followed by unsuccessful revolutions in 1848.

The German Empire

It wasn't until 1862 when the chancellor Otto Von Bismark took charge, that Germany once again returned to prominence. With the help of King William I of Prussia, the German chancellor was able to win back their territories from Denmark, Austria, and France. With his aggressive approach and conservative national pride, Bismark was able to once again reunify the German states into a powerful German Empire. He lead a series of political change within the German infrastructure.

He did this through the urbanization of economics and classes. He implemented a strict agenda that reduced the power of the Catholic Church known as the Kulturkampf. Bismark also kept a strong grip on foreign policy through alliances, and diplomacy. By 1871 the Second German Reich had returned to power within Europe.William I became the first German emperor and Bismark was his political chancellor. By 1914 however political, economic, and ethnic tension had once again arisen in Europe and all it took was a little nudge to thrust the world into a Great War of Allies.

World War I

By 1914 Germany had become one of the great powers of Europe in the likes of Britain, Austria-Hungary, Russia, Italy, and France. However a diplomatic clash of territorial disputes, economics trades, and colonial issues had unfolded within Europe that lead to an arms race. All it took was the assassination of archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Austrian royalty at the hands of Serbian nationalists. It did not take long for this proxy dispute between Austria and Serbia to turn into an international dispute. One thing lead to another and soon after Germany began mobilizing their armies and declared war on Russia. They allied with the Austria-Hungarian Empire as well as the Ottoman Empire to make up the Central Powers.

The German armies moved quickly through their Shlieffen Plan of securing the west before they moved Battle of Tannenberg. By 1917 the Russian army had to withdraw from the war due to their own Russia Revolution. In the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk the Central Powers were granted total control of most of eastern Europe.
eastward into Russia. The western Allied powers of Britain, France, Italy, and Belgium resisted the invasion and soon a trench warfare unfolded on the western front. Meanwhile the Central powers were able to secure several decisive victories on the eastern front against Russia, such as at the

 The Germans were then able to emphasize their full efforts on the western front, however were thwarted when the Americans joined the war. Furthermore they began to suffer economic troubles on their home-front due to British blockades. This lead to starvation within Germany that eventually triggered the German Revolution. Inspired by the Communist Russian Revolution an organization of German Socialists lead by leaders such as Rosa Luxembourg began uprisings at navy ports and throughout the cities of Germany. This eventually lead to Emperor Wilhelm II to abdicate his throne.

The German socialist movement was unsuccessful however in taking control when they were challenged by nationalist militias. This eventually lead to the Weimar Constitution that made Germany a democratic government. By this point Germany had no choice but to accept defeat at the hands of the Allied powers. World War I came to an end when the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919. Germany was blamed for most of the conflict and as a result had to pay heavy reparations throughout Europe.

Weimar Republic

Friedrich Ebert became the first president of the newly established German government. However he inherited a mess of reconstruction, a suffering economy, and extreme political turmoil among the German people. His greatest goal was to contain the continuous string of Leftist socialist uprisings. New political parties began to form all throughout Germany against this new democratic government; such as Communist Party of Germany (KPD) led by Rosa Luxemborg and the Nationalist Socialist German Workers Party (NASDP) led by Adolf Hitler.

By 1922 Germany had suffered terrible economic losses due to their heavy reparation costs which lead to constant economic reform. In 1923 the NASDP led by Hitler lead an unsuccessful coup known as the Beer Hall Pusch in Munich. Hitler was imprisoned for ten years where he began work on his manifesto known as Mein Kampf. By 1925 Paul von Hindenburg had become the 2nd president of Germany and restored relations with the West. He secured the borders, and joined the newly established League of Nations in 1926, however the German economy was still struggling. The stock market crash of 1929 hit Germany just as hard as the United States, and once again they found themselves in extreme economic depression.

This lead to a call for extreme reform within Germany of which the far left Communist party and far right Socialist party gained prominence. Hindenburg ran for reelection in 1932 and won against Hitler and Ernst Thalmann. However in an act of uniting the country he appointed Hitler as his Chancellor of Germany. This would eventually lead to the Nazis coming to power throughout Germany with Adolf Hitler calling the shots.

Nazi Germany 

A secret police force known as the Gestaspo was organized by Henrich Himmler to quell political dissidents Night of Long Knives. Shortly after a new German constitution was assembled striking the old Weimar Repulic. Germany withdrew from the League of Nations and had become a totalitarian state in the likes of Italy and Russia. By August of 1934 after the death of Hindenburg, Hitler became the fuhrer of the newly established dictatorship,
known as the Third Reich.
while a propaganda machine led by Joesph Goebbels began spreading the Nazi ideology throughout Germany. In 1933 a gestapo staged fired was set at the Reichstag and blamed on the Communists. This granted Hitler more political power and lead to the imprisonment and assassinations of many Nazi opponents at the

Rapid social and economic change began to unfold in this newly established regime. The Nazi propaganda machine emphasized it's national German pride and Aryan Superiority. Those who weren't full blooded Germans were not allowed in Himmler's highest regarded Schutzstaffel army. At the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Germans displayed their pride on the world stage. The Nazis especially showed blatant hostility towards the Jews, blaming them for all their problems. As the regime grew more powerful, German-Jews began to lose many of their human right privileges. In August of 1938 they made their hate blatant at the Kristallnacht pogrom, by publicly shaming and arresting Jews. They were then forced into ghettos and later into concentration camps. This Holocaust lead to the death of over 6 million Jews. It was no doubt one of the darkest events in human history that has tarnished the German legacy.

By 1935 the Nazis also began an ambitious effort to rebuild their military  as well as secure foreign policy. Hitler made alliances with Benito Mussolini's Fasict Italy, as well as with Spain and Japan to form the Axis Powers. The German army was first put to the test in 1936 when they aided Francisco Franco's nationalist forces in the Spanish Civil War. Through his Lebensraum ideology, Hitler felt it was essential to increase German territory for superior races. In 1938 the Nazi armies annexed Austria and Czechoslovakia without much opposition. Hitler also signed a non-aggressive pact with Josef Stalin, the dictator of the Soviet Union. By the end of 1938 the world had been quite aware and frightened by Germany's aggressive agenda.

World War II

In 1939 the Nazis invaded Poland, which lead to Britain declaring war on Germany, and thus the start ofWWII. The Germans had early success thanks to their  blitzkrieg strategy. They were able to easily invade and occupy Poland, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France by 1940. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill however would not stand for this aggression, as they defeated the Germans aerial bombardment at the Battle of Britain.

Following their defeat at Britain, the Nazis took some time to regather themselves before once again returning to the offensive. In 1941 Hitler broke his non-aggressive pact with Stalin by invading the Soviet Union. Once again the Nazi armies had early success moving quickly through the Russian lands and capturing Moscow. However by wintertime, Hitler's armies experienced the same failures that Napoleon's armies witnessed unable to bear the cruel Russian cold. The major turning point for the Nazis came at the Battle of Stalingard in 1943 where the Soviets had a decisive victory. The Germans were now on the defensive from the Soviets losing control of the land they had occupied.

Meanwhile by 1944 the United States had joined the war in an alliance with the British, Canadians, and French. The US landed troops in Normandy, known as Operation D-Day. This campaign marked the beginning of their push on the German's western front. Soon the Nazis found themselves being squeezed by the Allies on the west and the Soviets on the east. It was only a matter of time before the Nazi regime collapse. When the Soviets finally entered Berlin, Hitler committed suicide, and the Germans surrendered a week after on May 8th, 1945.

At the Postdam Conference the victorious allied powers, (USA, Britain, and Soviet Union) discussed the future of Germany. They divided the Third Reich's conquered land among themselves and returned occupied lands back to their rightful sovereignty. Germany was split into an East (with Soviet supervision) and West with American supervision. At theNuremberg Trials of 1946 they were made to answer for the atrocities of their war crimes, especially in the case of the Holocaust genocide where nearly 6 millions Jews were killed in concentration camps.

East and West Germany

Immediately after the war, the allies began a strong Denazification campaign to rid Germany of any remaining Nazi Fascist ideology. For the next 40 years Germany was occupied and supervised by foreign powers. East Germany became a part of the Soviet Union's Eastern Bloc. It was run by the German Communist Party with a tight fist and minimal liberties. East Germans felt their culture being overrun by Stalinist agenda and many fled to the west for political freedoms. In 1961 the Berlin Wall was built to divide East and West Germany and stop people from fleeing to the west.

West Germany was occupied by the US, Britain, and France yet still managed to experience an economic recovery by the 1950s. This ambitious economic reform was directed by Ludwig Erhard and encouraged by western capitalism. Despite the heavy reparations Germany owed for WWII, Erhard still managed to initiate a boom through reformed currency and doubling the industrial production. Workers put aside their demands in order to rebuild their national pride. By 1955 Germany joined NATO and established the European Economic Committee in 1958.  This Economic Miracle known as the "Wirtschaftswunder" helped Germans restore their identity and legitimacy.

Modern Era

By 1989 the Soviet Union had begun to collapse and the Cold War was coming to an end. As a result, the Eastern German Regime loss their grip and soon Germans were once again fleeing into the west. A peaceful revolution was initiated throughout East Germany to call for democracy and reunification. After a series of negotiations between east and western powers, the Berlin Wall was finally torn down. Germany was reunified on October 3rd, 1990.

Ever since it's reunification, Germany has been able to look beyond their dark past restore their proud culture. They have embarked on a democratic third way approach working with the world to advance free trade, peace, and balance. Thanks to notable leaders such as Angela Merkel, Germany has once again become one of the most powerful nations in Europe; truly a testament to their strong culture.

Top Ten: Most Influential Animated Films (3-1)

I decided to post my top 3 influential films in a separate entry, because they each had a far greater impact on me than the others (10 through 4). This is most likely because I watched each of these 3 movies at a very young developing age. They are perhaps the first animated films in which I followed and understood the plot line. They had a very emotional impact on me as a kid, and to this day they bring a nostalgic quality when I watch them again.

3. Dumbo (1941) Walt Disney Studios

Plot Line: This is quite possibly one of the saddest films ever, however it has a happy ending. It's set in a circus, where a baby elephant, Dumbo, is ridiculed for his abnormally large ears. Despite the irregularity his mother loves her newborn child unconditionally. Dumbo is separated from her however, when she loses her temper to protect him from the ridicule. She is locked away and Dumbo must make it on his own with the help of a mouse. He is however very unhappy working at the circus as a clown and misses his mother dearly. He visits her at her confinement, where she cradles him, in a very sad musical sequence. He then has a drunken hallucination with his mouse friend, of which they later realize he can fly. With the support of the mouse and some crows he is able to put his flying skills to the test. At the grand circus show he has a glorious moment by taking flight for all to see and ridiculing all those who ridiculed him. He is able to use his abnormal ears to achieve fame and fortune and is happily reunited with his mother in the end.

Tragedy and Resolve: The young baby Dumbo must overcome all sorts of adversity. First there is his abnormal ears and dealing with the ridicule. However his biggest challenge is the tragedy of being separated from his mother. He is eventually able to overcome the terrible situation thanks to the companionship of friends and inner strength.

Themes: This movie deals with extremely mature themes way beyond a child's developing mind. The central theme is overcoming adversity yet there are also themes of loss, rejection, loneliness, companionship, motherly love, and inner strength. One thing to consider when watching this Disney classic, is the time period that it came out. It was released in 1940 after the Great Depression and the onset of World War II. The setting of this movie is no doubt a bit gloomy due to the time period it was released.  Despite the controversies and extremely sad moments I still think Disney's intentions were for the best. They managed to produce a creative story, with real-life conflicts, and brought it all together with a happy-fairy-tale ending. It's no doubt a classic influential animation. (However I would suggest watching it as an early teenager instead of a child) 

Personal Significance: I remember we owned the VHS of Dumbo, and I watched it several times on our old box TV. I must have been no more than 5 years old, in pre-K or kindergarten. I enjoyed the music and the happy ending, however I also remember it always hit some emotional nerves. I vividly remember the traumatic moments of when Dumbo is ridiculed and separated from his mother. The Baby Mine scene where Dumbo's incarcerated mother cradles her child is perhaps one of the saddest scenes in movie history. Then there was the hallucination scene, Pink Elephants, which also disturbed me immensely. I watched it several times as a child, and believe it was one of the first films to make me feel real genuine emotions.

2. Fantasia (1940) Walt Disney Studios

Plot Line: This unique Disney animation is a program of 8 mini-stories that give homage to classical music. Each section has an animated theme reflective of it's classical score. The first part is a show of abstract colors and lines to the score of Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor. The second part is a season changing dance of flowers, mushrooms, and leaves to the score of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite. The third part is the classic Mickey Mouse magician apprentice to the score of Paul Dukas. The fourth is a visual history of the creation of earth with a score from Igor Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. The fifth is an intermission and introduction of the musical elements of the orchestra.

The sixth part is my favorite, a homage to Greek mythology with centaurs, unicorns, angels, and Gods. It is carried by the beautiful score of Ludwig Van Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony. The seventh part is a comic ballet between hippos, ostriches, elephants, and alligators to the score of Dance of the Hours by Amilcare Ponchielli. The eighth and perhaps most frightening as a kid is the Night on Bald Mountain by Modest Mussorgsky. This final section demonstrates a horrifying devil on a mountain summoning evil spirits, until he is subdued by heavenly bells and a chorus of angels. It's an inspiring ending for such an inspiring movie.

Themes: This is a very unusual animated film as it does not follow a linear plot however is more of a visual and musical stimulation. I suppose the most obvious theme here is an appreciation on the aesthetics of music. However I think there are also themes of love and faith that can be pulled from each minor plot, especially in the case of the Pastoral Symphony and Night on Bald Mountain.

Personal Significance: I remember watching this as a young kid and it always made me feel happy. It had
such a dreamlike quality to it by blending it's animation with beautiful music. My favorite scene was the Pastoral Symphony, for it's heavenly mythological setting of a Greek vineyard. The final sequence on Bald Mountain always use to horrify me, however I enjoyed the religious ending. This film greatly influenced me,  most notably my appreciation of classical music, Greek mythology, and world culture.

1. Land Before Time (1988) Sullivan Bluth Studios

Plot Line: This movie also has powerful emotional moments in it. There is terrible tragedy yet happy resolution in the end. It was not produced by Walt Disney, yet by an all-star production team of George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, and incredible music from James Horner. It's set at the end of the Cretaceous Period, where a terrible drought has caused dinosaurs to migrate for food and water. One of these dinosaurs is an Apatosaurus referred to as a "longneck", and gives birth to a baby she calls, "Littlefoot". This opening birth scene is very awe-inspiring as it demonstrates the strong love between a mother and her child. However as the herd continues to travel, they are attacked by a T-Rex known as SharkTooth. The mother confronts the T-rex and drives him away yet loses her life in protecting her child. Littlefoot must then continue on his own in search of the Great Valley. He is fortunately joined by several other children who have been separated from their parents (Cera the "three-horn", Ducky the "swimmer", Petrie the "flyer", and Spike the "spiketail") The team of five work together to journey through the barren lands of the dying dinosaur age. They have one final confrontation with SharkTooth and then are able to reach the Great Valley. Littlefoot is happily reunited with his grandparents in the end.

Tragedy and Resolve: Similar to Lion King and Dumbo there is a terrible tragic event at the opening of this film where a child is separated from their parent. The death of Littlefoot's mom is an extremely sad, traumatic event for the young viewer. Littlefoot is left alone in a very cruel desolate place. However he is able to press on with his mother's wisdom as well as help from his new companions.

Themes: This film also deals with very mature themes for the young viewer. There is first a strong element of motherly love that sets the tone, however this tone is abruptly pulled away. The viewer must then endure themes of loss, loneliness, and fear, that eventually shape into themes of courage, companionship, and inner-strength.

Personal Significance: I must have been 5 or 6 years old when I watched this and it influenced me greatly. I especially loved the score from James Horner and Dianna Ross's hit song "If We Hold on Together". I believe this movie inspired my fascination with dinosaurs for the next several years as a kid. The emotions I felt were always so powerful watching this film. It influenced me greatly as a kid and to this day it has a heavenly and nostalgic quality to it.



Top Ten Influential Classics

1. Land Before Time (1988)
2. Fantasia (1940)
3. Dumbo (1941)
4. Lion King (1994)
5. Aladdin (1992)
6. Little Mermaid (1989)
7. Goofy Movie (1995)
8. Anastasia (1997)
9. Lady and the Tramp (1955)
10. Robin Hood (1973)

Classic Honorable Mentions

1. Beauty and the Beast (1991)
2. Sword and the Stone (1963)
3. Brave Little Toaster (1987)
4. Peter Pan (1953)
5. The Jungle Book (1967)
6. One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)
7. The Fox and the Hound (1981)
8. Oliver and Company (1988)
9. Pinocchio (1940)
10. Hercules (1997)

Modern Digital Mentions

1. Toy Story (1995)
2. Happy Feet (2006)
3. Shrek (2001)
4. Finding Nemo (2003)
5. The Incredibles (2004)
6. Kung Fu Panda (2008)
7. Ice Age (2002)
8. A Bugs Life (1998)
9. Monsters Inc (2001)
10. Wall-E (2008)

Top Ten: Most Influential Animated Films (10-4)

There's no greater influence on the young developing mind than a powerful movie. This is my own personal list, not so much of my favorite animated films yet rather my most influential ones. It's a study of the ten films that shaped my mind as a young boy, from their adventurous plots to their underlying themes. They bring a nostalgic quality when I'm reminded of them today. Few notes about the list.

• This list may reflect my gender and the period I grew up in (Male, born in 1984)
• Four of these films deal with mature and tragic themes of loss
• Two of them were not produced by Walt Disney Studios
• There are several classics I never remember watching as a kid such as Bambi, Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty. (Most of which were girl stories anyway) Although I admire their legacy, they never impacted me as a child and therefore are not on this list
• Some honorable mentions include Beauty and the Beast, The Sword in the Stone, and The Brave Little Toaster.  

10. Robin Hood (1973) Walt Disney Studios

Plot Line: The classic tale of Robin Hood is told through animals as the main characters. The setting is an old British town of Nottingham during the middle ages. Robin Hood is the protagonist fox who teams with his pal Little John, a bear, to steal from the rich and give to the poor. Prince John is the antagonist lion who has swindled his brother, King Arthur, into taking the throne and taxing the people. Robin Hood must team up with his pals, including the Friar Tuck and the Maid Marian to make right the injustice of Prince John and the Sheriff of Nottingham.  

Themes: Some of the obvious themes in this story are courage, sharing, charity, companionship, and the evils of excessive greed. Although Robin Hood is somewhat of a criminal, his motives are not selfish yet for the good of his companions. He is willing to put his own safety at risk for the bettering of others, which makes him an aspiring hero to the young viewers.

Personal Significance: I remember watching this film at Grandma Hilda's in Battle Creek with the cousins. The ending always brought such a warm happy feeling.


9. Lady and the Tramp (1955) Walt Disney Studios

Plot Line: A domesticated dog, Lady, falls for a stray street dog, Tramp. Lady finds herself being pushed aside when her owners have a baby, and it is through Tramp's free spirit style of life she finds hope again. Their love is best captured at an Italian spaghetti dinner where they share their first kiss.

Themes: The obvious theme is romance however the fact that these two dogs are so different is the greater takeaway in my opinion. One dog is well-mannered while the other is wild. Perhaps opposites attract could be one of the underlying messages of this film.

Personal Significance: I remember watching this film at a very young age at our home in Park Ave. I especially remember this curious feeling I felt when they shared that last pasta noodle. It's likely I didn't care much for girls at the time and maybe didn't fully understand it, however it was certainly the most memorable emotion I felt from this classic film.

8. Anastasia (1997) Fox Animation Studios

Plot Line: Set during the historical Russian Revolution, this story gives an intriguing twist on the murder of Tsar Nicholas and his family. The story begins with tragedy as we learn that Anastasia was once a princess who loss all her family to a terrible sorcerer named Rasputin. She then must grow up on her own, and embark on a journey to discover her past, during which she also finds love.

Tragedy and Resolve: This movie begins with a tragic conflict with the terrible loss of Anastasia's family. She must dig deep from within to face the adversity and loneliness of her past to discover who she is.

Themes: This is a coming-of-age story, in which the young Anastasia embarks on a journey of self discovery despite her terrible past as an orphan. There are also themes of love, loneliness, inner-strength, and courage.

Personal Significance: I was 13 years old when this movie came out, and it was probably the last animation that really influenced me. I remember the animation was quite groundbreaking at the time and the music was also very enjoyable. This was perhaps my first big introduction to Russian culture and it all fascinated me as a teenager.


7. A Goofy Movie (1995) Walt Disney Studios

Plot Line: A young teenager, Max, wants to impress a girl in his school and he does this by breaking the rules. As a form of punishment he goes on a long camping trip with his father, Goofy, for some quality father-son bonding. Throughout which he connects with his father, becomes proud of his goofy personality, and happens to get the girl as well in the end.

Themes: The big message of this film is self-esteem. The young Max, is somewhat ashamed of his goofy traits and his goofy father, and tries to change his image. Yet it's through his father that he discovers he should be proud of who he is.

Personal Significance: I remember watching this film when I was 12, and could totally relate to the scenario, especially being a boy scout at the time. I also really enjoyed the music of this film and would sing the songs constantly with my family and friends.


6. The Little Mermaid (1989) Walt Disney Studios

Plot Line: This fantasy is a love story between Aerial a mermaid princess who falls in love with a human sailor. She however must come to the harsh realization that she cannot live on dry land, yet with her peers under the sea. In an act of desperation she sells her voice to a sorceress, Ursula, so that she can become human. However this plan backfires on her, and she is imprisoned to Ursula. At the end she must team up with her friends and family to defeat the evil witch.

Themes: This story has several subtle themes scattered throughout the romantic adventure that it is. The biggest message is to follow your heart and not be afraid to dream beyond any barriers that may be. However it also suggests that friends and family are equally as important, and one shouldn't push them aside in their quest for love.

Personal Significance: I remember enjoying everything about this underwater fantasy the first time I saw it. From the characters, the colorful sea, the beautiful mermaid princess Aerial, and especially the music. This film ushered in a new era of animations, in what has become known as the Disney Renaissance. From 1989 to 1999 I grew up with this string of successful Disney films such as Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and Lion King to name a few, all of which have influenced me immensely.

5. Aladdin (1992) Walt Disney Studios

Plot Line: The story takes place in a fictional setting in Arabia. The street-rat Aladdin falls for the princess Jasmine who is wandering the streets in disguise. He is however captured by the wicked sorcerer Jafar, and must set off on a mission to recover a magic lamp. He is able to keep the lamp for himself, of which there a genie grants him three wishes. He is unable to make Jasmine fall in love with him, however uses his first wish to woo her. He is eventually unable to impress her with the material stuff, yet only his true self. In the end he must team up with her to defeat Jafar who has bewitched the sultan and taken over the kingdom.

Themes: Quite a few in this one. Once again there is the love story of opposites attract (rich woman and poor man.) There are themes of courage, companionship, and charity to the poor. Yet I think the biggest underlying theme is to be true to yourself.

Personal Significance: I was about 9 years old when this one came out and I remember it was very influential to me for several reasons. I think I was in 3rd grade, and it was all the buzz with my classmates. I remember especially being in awe of the princess Jasmine, and it was perhaps one of the first times I truly admired a woman. I'm quite sure it was that same year I began having crushes on the girls in my grade as well. The movie was filled with excitement, good laughs, and incredible music.


4. Lion King (1994) Walt Disney Studios

Plot Line: Set in the animal kingdom of Africa the young prince Simba, must cope with the terrible loss of his father Mufasa. He chooses to flee and grow up in the wild with two friends Simon and Pumba. He eventually realizes that he must come to terms with his past, face his enemy Scar, and claim his rightful throne.

Tragedy and Resolve: A child loses his father in a traumatic staged murder. He then chooses to run and hide from the guilt and sadness. With the support of his friends however, Simba is able to dig deep to face his past. He chooses to courageously face his enemy Scar and fight for what is rightfully his.

Themes: This story hits the young viewer with a heavy dose of tragedy only to make the climb all the more rewarding in the end. This is truly one of Disney's classic gems with mature themes of inner-strength, companionship, love, family, and courage to name a few.

Personal Significance: I remember watching this movie over and over again, playing the video games, re-enacting the story with my cousins, and always signing the songs. Although it had a very tragic moment, this movie was unusually uplifting with its colorful setting and music.