More Than You Expect GERMANY:

TODAY’S LEARNING TARGETS: Describe Germany using specific facts about it like its capital, flag, global importance, or important people (and what they did). Analyze how Germany’s geographic location led to conflicts using at least two historical examples. Use at least two (2) German words in context.

DEUTSCHLAND? I THOUGHT IT WAS GERMANY! Has anyone ever been to central Pennsylvania to see Amish Country? Does anyone know what they call these people? The Pennsylvania _____________. Can anyone guess how these German immigrants got this inaccurate nickname?

Capital: Berlin Approximately 82.5 Million Citizens Almost 1/10 are of foreign birth Primary Language: German 95% of residents are fluent There is a separate Swiss-German dialect as well though. Currency: The Euro (since 2001) “The Land of Thinkers and Poets” Examples: The Brothers Grimm 103 Nobel Prize Winners in the Sciences alone! GERMANY: THE BASICS

Government: Democracy & Republic Literacy: +99% (What does this mean?) Religion: Mainly Christians Highest Mountain: Zugspitze at 2,963 meters OTHER FAST FACTS ABOUT GERMANY

WARNING: It is impossible to characterize an entire nation. For example, what do Americans value? There would certainly be differences even within this classroom. But, in general, Germans are likely to value: Order Privacy Punctuality Perfectionism What does this mean for you as a visitor to Germany? Disorganization is frowned upon. Don’t ask to tour a host’s house. It’s considered rude. Don’t be late. It’s considered thoughtless and rude, even more so than in the US or other European nations. Joking about an ineptitude would not be considered funny, but rather embarrassing. GERMAN VALUES

IMPORTANT GERMANS & THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

German blacksmith, goldsmith, printer, & publisher Remembered for introducing moveable type printing to Europe Why do we care about that? Well, it changed EVERYTHING! Everyone could afford to read, so… we became a literate society. It was voted the most influential invention of the last millennium! He was born in Mainz, Germany. JOHANN GUTENBERG

Born into a musical family He became a well known organist, harpsichordist, violinist, and singer during his lifetime. After his death, when the revival of the Baroque style began, the genius of his compositions were finally appreciated. He is now considered one of the greatest composers of all time! JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH

Born in Bonn, Germany but spent most of adult life in Vienna, Austria. Childhood musical prodigy Another of the most famous and important musicians & composers of all time! Prolific Composer: 9 symphonies, 5 concertos for piano, 32 piano sonatas, and 16 string quartets, other chamber and choral music. Even continued to compose for the last decade of his life when he was (for all intents and purposes) deaf! LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN

Born and raised in Germany Unconventional student who performed “thought experiments” and independent studies as well. Lifelong pacifist. (What does this mean?) Won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 for the photoelectric effect. (E=MC²) Had to leave Germany because he was a Jew. Despite his views on peace his research launched the nuclear age. ALBERT EINSTEIN

The other great German physicist! Lived and died in Germany Won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1918 Many contributions, but best known for founding Quantum Theory His work along with Einstein’s changed how the world understood space and time. Unfortunately, he stayed in Germany during World War II under Hitler’s regime and because he was unwilling to support the treatment of Jewish colleagues, he was forced out of his position at the university. MAX PLANCK: THE RELUCTANT REVOLUTIONARY

Officially the Bundesautobahn (BAB) or “federal expressway” No federally mandated speed limit expect in area of high trafffic, high incidents of accidents, or under poor conditions (These areas have an advisory speed limit of 81 mph.) 12,845 km (7,982 mi) of highway Making it the fourth longest highway system in the world behind: China USA Spain THE GERMAN AUTOBAHN

TRADITIONAL GERMAN FOODS Guten Appetit!

Sauerkraut Literally “sour cabbage” Finely shredded cabbage fermented in various types of lactic acids Most famous German vegetable Eaten with meat and potatoes (but NOT fish)

Semmelknoedel Bread dumplings Seen here in a creamy mushroom sauce Also sometimes served with meat dishes

Black Forest Cake Named after a region of Germany Dark, chocolate cake with cream and cherry filling and topping Yummy!

Stollen & Lubkechen Cakes & Ginger Biscuits Eaten at Christmastime A very old, German tradition!

THE RHINE RIVER Lifeblood of Germany

Name comes from “renos” meaning raging flow Begins at Rheinwaldhorn Glacier in Swiss Alps Important waterway from before the time of the Holy Roman Empire until today Filled with castles from the feudal system in the middle ages when land was fought over Home to most of Germany’s vineyards thanks to the fertile soil Cruises along it are a major tourist attraction! THE RHINE RIVER VALLEY

LET’S READ ABOUT THE MOST FAMOUS WOMAN OF THE RHINE…

DESCRIBE WHERE GERMANY IS IN RELATIVE TERMS.

GERMANY’S GEOGRAPHY It borders the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, and the Alps Mountains. Germany has 9 neighboring countries : Netherlands, Denmark, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium, and Luxembourg This makes Germany very multicultural For example, almost 1 out of every 10 Germans was not born in Germany and over half of those people were not even born in another EU (European Union) nation.

The Downside GERMANY’S GEOGRAPHY:

Has also meant that Germany was involved in many European conflicts/wars! Examples: 30 Years War Franco-Prussian War The Great War World War II BEING AT THE CENTER OF EUROPE…

War began as a conflict between Protestants and the Catholic Church (The Holy Roman Empire) Fought mainly in Germany Ended up being a battle for control of land and people Redrew the map of Europe with France and Sweden gaining power and the Holy Roman Empire losing it. Germany left torn apart (not a united kingdom) and some towns/villages permanently abandoned! THE 30 YEARS WAR

Very short war, German independent states united under Prussian (a region of Germany) military leadership to create the modern state of Germany. France was quickly and soundly defeated to everyone’s surprise Altered the balance of power in Europe permanently. Germany=World Power France bitter over the loss of Alsace-Loraine Region THE FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR

Started out as a regional war resulted in a World War (28 nations from around the world involved) Central Powers (primarily Germany, Austria-Hungary, & Italy) Vs. Allied Forces (primarily UK, Russia, & France and at the very end US) Almost 8 million soldiers died: Trench warfare lead to disease New weaponry lead to blood shed (chemical warfare, machine guns, tanks, etc…) Called “The Great War” or ‘The War to End All Wars” at the time Led to Armistice Day (11/11), now Veterans’ Day THE GREAT WAR (WORLD WAR I)

Even bigger World War: 50 Countries Involved Fought in two theaters (Europe & Pacific) Again two alliances formed: Axis Powers (Germany, Japan, Italy, & MANY OTHERS) Vs. Allied Powers (primarily UK, France, Russia & MANY OTHERS and again, later US) Germany & Japan eventually surrendered but not before 38 million people died! WORLD WAR II

AS WITH ALL WARS, IT WASN’T JUST THE SOLDIERS WHO SUFFERED! But, World War II had another horrifying element … The Holocaust Greek words meaning “whole” “burned” Refers to the systematic extermination of 6 million people by the Nazi regime during World War II. Groups who were exterminated—Jews, Communists, the mentally or physically retarded, homosexuals, and Gypsies Took place in Concentration Camps where prisoners were: Made to work as slaves Experimented on by scientist who did not consider their health or comfort Often starved to death and/or died from exposure/disease Systematically exterminated using gas chambers

GERMANY REMEMBERS: BERLIN’S HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL

Most widely spoken first language in the European Union (EU) 11 th most widely spoken language in the world Dialect—a particular form of a language that is peculiar to a specific region or social group There is a Swiss-German Dialect in southern Germany. Umlaut—an accent mark used in German that changes the sound of the vowel (ϋber) THE GERMAN LANGUAGE

LET’S LEARN SOME GERMAN THAT YOU CAN USE! German Word:English Translation or Explanation: Example Sentence: KindergardenKindergarten (Starting off easy!) Before I was ready for first grade, I went to kindergarden. ÜberOf the extreme or ultimate example of something Those HEP kids aren’t just nerds, they’re übernerds. DopplegängerThe paranormal double of a living person I know you were out of town, but last week at the I swear I saw your dopplegänger! ZeitgeistThe spirit of the age or time After all the death of World War I, the zeitgeist was clearly carpe diem or seize the day! SchadenfreudeThe feeling of enjoyment obtained from watching other people’s troubles As stupid as reality TV is, I can’t help feeling a little schadenfreude when watching it.