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Thread: Germany in the 19th Century

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    Pazu the Kitsune's Avatar Shopkeeper
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    Default Germany in the 19th Century

    In the Franco-Prussian War thread, I posted a number of things related to Germany, German history, and the general situation before, during and after the war, which ended in 1871. Five days ago, on October 3rd, Germany celebrated its anniversary of when West and East Germany were unified, which happened 26 years ago in 1990. Washington Post has an article that explains this, and also beautifully demonstrates the ways in which the impact of this division is still felt today. I will post a link to this article at the bottom of this post. Another event in October associated with Germany is 'Oktoberfest', which has its origins in Bavaria and in many places is a celebration of German culture and heritage, and in many others it is (unfortunately) simply an event that involves excessive amounts of binge drinking.

    In this post, I will briefly detail the situation in Germany in the 19th century.

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    Germany

    Although the term 'Germany' has existed for a very very long time, the concept of a unified Germany is an amazingly recent one. The Holy Roman Empire, often called the 'First Reich' (Reich literally means Empire, but it is commonly used in Germany to refer specifically to a 'German' Empire), was misunderstood for a long time. In fact, if it was understood properly, it is likely that the German Empire created by Otto von Bismarck would have, in fact, been called the 'First Reich'. Either way, the idea of the Holy Roman Empire that later governments (such as that of Hitler's) presented was that of a powerful, unified nation that incorporated all of the German people and was led directly by the strongman Emperor. This view is false; in fact, there is a well known quote that goes 'The Holy Roman Empire is neither Holy, nor Roman, nor an Empire.' The Holy Roman Empire was in fact essentially a union, with the Emperor as a figurehead and the German Catholic Church in many ways acting as the 'glue' that held it together. Protestantism shattered the Holy Roman Empire, but clear signs of its disintegration could be seen even before Martin Luther was born. Just like how Germany was divided between West and East for over four decades, for most of the 19th century Germany was also divided. However, the division was of a very different nature. It manifests in the form of numerous Kingdoms, States and City States, most of which had existed in some form or another since the Holy Roman Empire collapsed in the 16th century. The key divisions I will cover are Eastern Germany, the Rhineland, and Southern Germany.

    Eastern Germany

    In the 19th century, Eastern Germany was dominated by the Kingdom of Prussia, with its strongholds at Berlin and Konigsberg. Many of the 'roots' of Prussia lie in the Teutonic Order, a militant Catholic order that operated from Konigsberg and fought in numerous wars in the surrounding area. It is from the Teutonic Order that Prussia gets the colours of its flag, white and black, and it is also from the Teutonic Order that we get the 'Teutonic Cross' so often associated with Imperial Germany. Although Konigsberg remained a part of Prussia, by the time of Otto von Bismarck it had heavily waned in influence, and Berlin grew to be the main hub of activity, becoming the capital of Prussia and the largest city in Germany. In modern times, Konigsberg is no longer even a part of Germany.

    By 1865, the only kingdom in Eastern Germany aside from Prussia was the Kingdom of Saxony, which had largely managed to keep its autonomy due to its close connection with Austria, and Austria 'saving' it on multiple occasions.

    Eastern Germany tends to be flatter than much of the rest of Germany. It also houses some of Germany's largest forests, such as the one near Leipzig. In the 19th century, and in modern times, Eastern Germany is the most heavily industrialized part of Germany. This is largely due to the efforts of Prussia, which by the year 1800 was the largest, wealthiest and most influential of the numerous German states.

    In the 19th century, Eastern Germany, and especially those areas within Prussia, were largely Protestant and conservative. This, perhaps above all else, is what contrasts them from Austria and the southern German states.

    In 1865, Wilhelm I of House Hohenzollern was the King ('König' in German) of Prussia, with Otto von Bismarck as being the effective head of state. I will post pictures of both of these men below.

    Rhineland

    The area known as the 'Rhineland' is, logically, the area around the Rhine river. More specifically, it is the part of Germany west of 'Eastern Germany', and includes numerous areas to the east of the Rhine river. It incorporates the westernmost parts of what we know as 'Germany'.

    The Rhine river was well known and documented to the Romans. For hundreds of years it served as the 'border' of the empire, the lands beyond which were controlled by the Germanic 'barbarians'. The Rhine has long acted as a hub of trade and activity, and boats of different kinds have long traversed it, bringing vital trade to interior parts of Europe who would not otherwise have it due to being in the 'interior' and not along the sea. The Rhine River continues to play both the role of a border marker and a trade hub in modern times.

    In the 19th century, the Rhineland housed several independent Kingdoms and City States, including Westphalia, however by 1865 the region had become dominated by Prussia, with Prussia holding a significant portion of land along the Rhine River.

    The Rhineland area has parts which are flat, although it tends to have alot of uneven terrain, including numerous hills and some mountains. The areas along the Rhine river are quite picturesque, and include numerous old forts and castles.

    The Rhineland is quite strongly Protestant, with many Lutherans but also some Calvinists (the strongest church in the Netherlands). The areas near the Netherlands have more in common with Dutch culture than with the cold, conservative culture of Prussia in the 19th century. Likewise, in this era the Rhineland was generally quite a bit more liberal than Prussia.

    Southern Germany

    Southern Germany is the part of Germany that shares borders with Switzerland and Austria. The two most prominent Kingdoms in Southern Germany in the 19th century were Wurttemberg, which was in a union with Baden, and Bavaria. After Prussia and Austria, Bavaria was the largest and most influential German Kingdom of the 19th century. In 1865, the King of Bavaria was Ludwig II, who is quite well known. I will post a picture of him below.

    Southern Germany is the most mountainous region of Germany. This has impacted the local culture, and is also reflected in the armies of the Southern German Kingdoms of the 19th century. Like Austria and Switzerland, Bavaria and Wurttemberg would both come to develop specialized 'mountain infantry' units. The Alps form a kindof barrier between Germany and Italy, and, like the Rhine river, act as a border marker, marking the southern border of Germany.

    In the 19th century, Southern Germany was largely both Catholic and Liberal. It is said that these were two things that Otto von Bismarck hated 'above all else'. Whether this is true or not, it does put the region at a sharp contrast with Prussia, and indeed the region did and in some ways still does share alot more in common with Austria (which was Catholic) than with Prussia. Likewise, Southern Germany was the last region of Germany to be incorporated into the German Empire created by Otto von Bismarck.

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    Pictures of some prominent 19th century Germans

    Otto von Bismarck


    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    Wilhelm I

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    Helmuth von Moltke

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 




    Ludwig II of Bavaria

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



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    Link to the Washington Post article

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 
    Last edited by Pazu the Kitsune; November 11, 2016 at 04:22 PM.

    "If you can keep your head when all about you
    Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,"

    -First lines to the poem "If-" (by Rudyard Kipling)


  2. #2

    Default Re: Germany in the 19th Century

    Pazu, excellent post, two thumbs up!


    Just one minor remark regarding General Moltke:

    Quote Originally Posted by Pazu the Kitsune View Post

    Pictures of some prominent 19th century Germans


    Helmuth von Moltke

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 




    This Picture Shows Helmut von Moltke "the younger"
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helmut...ke_the_Younger

    The famous 19th Century Moltke you wanted to refer to probably is "Moltke the elder"
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helmut...ltke_the_Elder

    Very easy to confuse, because both bear the first Name "Helmut" and both were Generals in the Prussian/German Army.
    The elder waged Bismarck´s wars, the younger served in WW1. The elder was waaaaaay more competent, though.

  3. #3
    Pazu the Kitsune's Avatar Shopkeeper
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    Default Re: Germany in the 19th Century

    Thanks for pointing it out ^^

    Pic updated.

    "If you can keep your head when all about you
    Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,"

    -First lines to the poem "If-" (by Rudyard Kipling)


  4. #4

    Default Re: Germany in the 19th Century


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