Kultur, Kapitel Elf

The New Germany: This was a great list of all the happenings in Germany over a sixty year span. I never realized how much German happenings were integral to the rest of the world. Probably half of the biggest Cold War happenings took place in Germany, or were influenced by it.

Deutschland: Von Der Monarchie zur Demokratie: This article was a great reminder of how it is that Germany was willing to turn to the Nazi party. The nation was just struggling really hard, and they needed a party to turn to. It reminds me of how Hitler was even named the Time Magazine man of the year a few years before he turned the Nazi party into a war party.

Part two: It’s amazing how many different countries were all trying to influence Germany at the same time. As a result, Germany had a very difficult time establishing a national identity for itself, almost until it hosted the World Cup in 2006. There are so many things going on at the same time, like the airlift and a simultaneous currency exchange, that it’s a miracle Germany was able to get back on its feet at all.

Part three: The most amazing aspect of the history of the Berlin wall for me is how recent in our history it is. It’s one of the very few huge events that have happened in my lifetime, though I was too young to remember.

Leipzig: I was actually pretty familiar some of Leipzig's history because I know a good deal of JS Bach's life. What I didn't realize was that the second oldest university is also there, as well as the sites of allied bombings.

Northern vs South: It's a shame the Northerners and Southerners think poorly of each other, though I suppose we have the same situation in the States. When I imagine a German I suppose I tend to imagine Bavarians, and in truth I can understand that the Northerners may be thought of snobby, in the sense that they're more business oriented.

Ostalgie & Breaking Down the Wall in Head: It's odd that some would want the Wall rebuilt. Yet, when people grow up for thirty years living with a wall that gives them a specific culture to themselves, I can understand where the desire comes form for a return to Berlin as it was. That being said, having shirts and memorabilia supporting segregated Berlin is no way of helping any forward movement.