Final Blog

I am very happy that I chose to take German 110. At first I wasn’t very excited about taking the course, but after the first day those feelings went away. Professor Roland made this class very enjoyable by encouraging the students to be active in class discussions along with the group presentations. When classmates weren’t giving presentations he would lecture on the current topic. These lectures tended to be very informative and sometimes quite comical. Throughout the semester we covered many different topics. A few of the topics that I enjoyed learning about were the 16 states of Germany, its history, its political parties and its culture. Along with that, I enjoyed watching The Berlin Calling, Baader Meinhof, and reading the book, All Quiet on The Western Front.

Towards the beginning of the semester we learned about the 16 states. Professor Roland let the class split up into small groups and then present on a state. The state that my group presented on was Bremen, which happens to be the smallest of the 16 states. The rest of the class presented on the other 15 states which are Baden-Württemberg, Bayern, Berlin, Brandenburg, Hamburg, Hessen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Niedersachsen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, and last but not least Thüringen. A few class sessions later we were told to have read the book called, All Quiet on The Western Front. This book showed the struggles of the young German soldiers during the war and how a generation was essentially lost due to the war. Along with reading this book, I liked watching the movie Baader Meinhof. Baader Meinhof was about the younger generation rebelling against everything that they grew up with. They wanted their voices to be heard. In order to get their voices heard they took part in doing acts of violence. It started out with one act of violence and then that just escalated into bigger and bigger acts of violence. Along with watching Baader Meinhof, I enjoyed watching the movie, The Berlin Calling. This movie was about a young talented music artist who goes on tour. While on tour he abuses many drugs that in turn lead to many problems. Both of these movies kind of go hand in hand by showing how the younger generation of Germany grew up. The last topic that I would like to mention is the history of women in Germany. It was very shocking for me to learn about how they were treated in the earlier years. They were viewed as only being good for three things, caring for their children, going to church, and cooking the meals at their homes. These are just a few of the many topics that I enjoyed learning about in German 110.

With that being said, I am glad I took this course. I learned a lot about the German culture. Before taking this course I didn’t really see myself studying abroad anywhere during college. However, that is no longer the case. I now have a strong desire to study abroad in Germany. If everything works out financially, I am in hopes to be studying in Germany for the fall semester of 2013.  

Questions on Blue Sheet

1. The protests were very organized. They usually private meetings to plan what they were going to do next. At the beginning they planned all of their plans very carefully but as time went on this changed. For example, they had riots and protests where they killed many innocent people. Following that they began to rob banks and assassinate many popular public officials.

2. At first I agreed with almost everything that the group was doing. However, as the movie continued it seemed like everyone in the group went crazy in the head. They no longer thought out and planned what they were doing and instead just did things on impulse which lead to killings of many innocent people.

3. The reason he became the group leader was because he didn't take any sass from anyone and acted very confident. He decided what the group was going to do next no matter if the group agreed with his plans or not. 

4. I was one of the students that stood in the middle. I feel that there are times in which violence is the only option in order to stand up for what you believe in. However, when possible peaceful protests would ultimately be preferred. It just depends on the situation.

Apfelstrudel

Apfelstrudel is a very popular pastry in Europe. A strudel is a very sweet pastry that has an apple filling inside. The dough to the strudel is very thin and elastic.  I have never tried making one of these but it is said to be a hard process. consists of unleavened dough. Once the strudel is done being assembled it is placed in the oven. After its done being cooked the apple strudel is sprinkled with powdered sugar and cut into slices.

 

Baader Meinhof and Rote Armee Fraktion

Badder-Meinhof

I thought the movie Badder-Meinhof was very inspiring. The younger generation basically rebelled against everything that they grew up with. They first tried taking a stand using their voices but then it escalated to violence. After one person did one act of violence it seemed as though the next person outdid the person before with an even bigger act of violence. It didn’t take long for things to get out of hand. An example of this would be when they made bombs and put them under the judge’s car. Some women even went to the extreme of giving up their life and children to help get their voices heard. Although, they wanted to get their voices heard, I do not agree with their actions. Violence is never the answer.

Rote Armee Fraktion

The Rote Armee Fraktion, also known as the Red Army Faction, was developed by students that were trying to fight against the apparent Nazism that they thought was in the German government. Not only did the Rote Armee Fraktion fight against Nazism, but also in Vietnam. 

In the first generation they supported by doing bank robberies and  by taking part in terrorist bombings. Along with that, they kidnapped and killed many popular political and business people. Most of these acts were done in West Germany. Every once in a while they joined forces with different Palestian groups. Following that was the second generation and third generations.

The second generation ran in the middle to late 1970’s. This was all after several former members of the Socialist Patients' Collective joined. Following that was the third generation. The third generation was in existence from the 1980’s to the 1990’s. the end of the RAF came about from and eight page letter that was sent to the Reuters News agency which said that the group no longer was going to be in existence.

I would have to say that similarities with the RAF and today’s terrorist attacks would have to be the bombings. Bombings still have all the time today from terrorists.  Not only that, but they also had one common mission, which was to be heard by all. They both think that they have a great plan that would be great for society. However, with that being said there are a couple differences. In today’s day and age we normally have no idea who is a terrorist and who is a regular citizen. We might have a general idea of where they come from, but that is about it. This is different from the RAF because they were able to tell who did certain attacks. Today we cannot trust anyone. For all we know our neighbor that lives across the street is a terrorist.

Reaction to Berlin Calling

The movie Berlin Calling deals with the youth of Germany and their actions. Ickarus, who is the main character, takes many drugs on a daily basis. The reason for this is because he claims the drugs make his life better, but in reality that’s what almost destroys his singing career. As the movie goes on he makes many poor decisions. Although he makes many bad decisions it does not faze him as he continues to use drugs.

Ickarus is not the only one using drugs in the movie. It seems as though many of the youth throughout the movie are taking many different forms of drugs. They are able to find these drugs at most night clubs. A couple of the scenes show the kids doing the drugs in the bathrooms. From an outsider looking in it looks as though taking drugs is the cool or in thing to do. The sense of power over their own bodies draws many of the youth into using these destructive drugs.

This life would be very awful for me. I was raised up very sheltered. My high school class was relatively small so everyone knew everything about each other and no one dared to try drugs. However, now that I am in college I see drug use happening all the time. I think as time goes on drug use will continue to rise, especially the use of Marijuana due to the fact that some states have made it legal to smoke.

Questions:

1. For Ickarus drugs are something that just make his life more exciting and deal with his  struggles in life.
2. The fans are seen taking drugs in the bathrooms. The drugs are sold at the clubs. The drugs they take are cocaine and ecstasy.
3. They focus on drugs because that is what they think life is all about.  Ickarus continues to take the drugs because he likes the pleasure the drugs give him.
4. It is completely night and day when comparing where I grew up compared to the movie. Very few if any people in my small high school did drugs. With that being said I would never seen drugs being sold in a bathroom or anything of that sort.
5. From the way the movie depicts the youth in the movie it does not look like they are a strong industrial nation. However, looks can be deceiving. Germany is indeed a very industrial nation.
6.  One of the more recent movies that I have seen that I think can somewhat relate to this is Project X. In this movie many kids are pure pressured into drinking alcohol and doing drugs.

Expanding on Health Topic

Here few things that I will take away from learning about the health in Germany:

-Germany made many new discoveries in the earlier years
Example: William Harvey discovered blood circulation. He did this by sticking himself with different needles and then studying his body's blood circulation.

-I found that it was quite ironic that Germany adopted universal health care so long ago and here in America we are still in the process of getting universal health care.

-In the 20th century there were a lot of discoveries, but most of them were bad discoveries.
Bad Example: The Nazi's "tested" drugs on the Jews. However, this testing really wasn't testing because it killed the Jews. The Nazi's also created a drug similar to cocaine. This drug was then given to the soldiers that were fighting. Another example of Germany's medical advancement in the 20th century would have to be their discovery of steroids. It is said that just about all Germans that won medals in the Olympics were on steroids. (eleven out of 13 medals were won by Germans) Back in the day this might have been acceptable, but today it is not. A prime example of this is Lance Armstrong who recently got stripped of all his Tour De France wins.


Good Example: Most of the discoveries in the 20th century were bad, but not all of them. An example of this was the discovery of Bayer in 1863. Bayer is still sold today which means this was a great discovery.

Role of Women

Role of Women in the 18th, 19th, and 20th Century

Five Talking Points to "All Quiet on The Western Front"

• How awful war is
• The effects of war on those that are fighting
• The pressures to join the war (patriotic idealism)
• How war changes people into people that they are not (animal like behavior)
• The cheapness of human life

Chapter Eleven

In chapter eleven of the novel All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque, many tragic events are described. This chapter is one of sorrow and despair, filled with death. Each word in this chapter makes the reader feel the pain of the solider, the pain of loss and death of those around him. It condemns the characters worst fears of losing those that he has come closest to on the battlefield.

            “War is the cause of death like cancer and tuberculosis, like influenza and dysentery”. (pg271) This quote alone sets the stage for this chapter of gloom. The main character talks of how each day passes practically unnoticed.  How each of them have grown so accustom to the war their minds have ceased to think of nothing else. How no man remembers what life outside the war could possibly be like. “It is as though formerly we were coins of different provinces; and now we are melted down, and all bear the same stamp”. (pg272) The main character goes on to talk about how the death all around them has left them as animals.

            This chapter tells of how Detering, having seen a cherry tree, goes, in a sense mad, for his longing of home has surpassed his control. The main character, Paul, tells of how one morning Detering was gone. He goes on to say that Detering had absurdly gone toward Germany, and so was caught by the field gendarmes; military police. We then hear no more about Detering, for the main character himself hears nothing of him. Müller, one of the main charcters, we learn is dead. We go on to find out that he was shot at point-blank in the stomach. He lives for a short time longer, but in utter agony.

            “Germany out to be empty soon,” says Kat’. (pg 281) At this point in the book the characters seem to be loosing hope that the war will ever end. German forces do not have the food, the artillery, or any such supplies to match the competitors. “For one hungry, wretched German soldier come five of the enemy, fresh and fit” (pg286).

            Leer, a character that went to school with the main character, Paul, has been shot. The boy bleeds out, at the same time Bertinick the Company Commander is shot. Soon after, the main character and Kat have been hit, Kat is hit in the bone, and bleeds fast. Paul carries Kat over his shoulder, stopping to get out of the way of the firing that is over them. Paul makes it to the shelter where the doctors and surgeons can tend to Kat, but only to find that his work has been for nothing. Kat is dead. “Only the Militiaman Stanislaus Katczinsky has died. Then I know nothing more” (pg 291).

 

Part 2: Describe a Character

Stanislaus Katczinsky

                     Stanislaus Katczinsky from be beginning looks to be a father figure. In the beginning he seems to have a positive or at least a not-defeated view of the war stating it would not be such a bad war if only they could get some sleep. He is described as the leader of the group. A man who is “shrewd, cunning and hard bitten...” with “a remarkable nose for dirty weather, good food and soft jobs.”(pg03). Later it is said that he has to have a sixth sense for finding supplies. During most of the hard times he and his comrades go through he is the one to find something to cheer up his comrades, most of the time it is either food or somewhere to sleep. Though the story behind it is not mentioned in the novel it is said his greatest accomplishment in the area would be to finds a few crates of lobster for the men. At one time while being bombarded and running low on food there are multiple attempts to get food to the front. Then it is stated “Finally Kat tries, and even he reappears without accomplishing anything” (pg107) Food great necessity in the book and because of this Kat is a great friend to have. One such occasion when they were going hunger he and Paul go and steal geese to eat and use the feathers for a pillow. However it is not just good times for Kat. He seems to also have to make hard decisions in order to protect his younger followers. One such example would be when after rescuing a soldier and he realizes that the soldier is going to die, he asks the hard question to end it for him so as to keep the young soldier from suffering.

Most of the time Kat has a veteran like position to him. Where most of the men in the story are somewhere near 18 or 19 years old Kat is 40. The majority of times when the narrator is talking about older soldiers, it is in jealous nature. He and his friends were thrown into the fray at a young age with no life experience to help them after the war and little to cling onto to keep sane such as a wife or children. However Kat often gives helpful advice and is shown to be like a sort of wise elder to listen to and respect even though he does not out rank them. Other times he seems to be in a daze. One such time is when he is talking about men getting literally getting blown out of their clothes by mortars. He is killed in the end by a stray piece of shrapnel to the back of his head as he was being carried by Paul back to the medical area in order to treat his leg. He is the last of the group to die besides the narrator Paul, and was probably Paul’s closest friend. After Kat dies the book skips some time to when Paul is sent to rest for inhaling some poison gas which to me is a sign that Paul has given into depression and most likely does not care too much about the time after Kat dies.

           

Click here for CDU Presentation

Sources for PowerPoint:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_Merkel -slide 3

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volker_Kauder -slide 4

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konrad_Adenauer -slide 12

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Democratic_Union_%28Germany%29#Special_organizations -slide13

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junge_Union -slide14

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Democratic_Employees%27_Association -slide15

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evangelical_Working_Group_of_the_CDU/CSU -slide16

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_of_Christian_Democratic_Students -slide17

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Democratic_Union_%28Germany%29   slides 2,18, and 19

Christian Democratic Union (CDU)

The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is a major political party in Germany. It was created in 1945 right after World War II had ended. It is currently the second largest political party in Germany, having approximately 484,000 members. It has a sister party which is called the Christian Social Union of Bavaria (CSU). Together these two parties make up what is called the Union. The CDU is the second largest party in Germany. Currently the leader of the CDU is Angela Merkel, who also happens to be the Chancellor of Germany. With that being said, let’s now take a look at the values of the CDU.

The CDU is based on Christian values and relates to principles of the Christian Democracy. It supports a free market economy along with social welfare programs. Although it supports both of these it is still viewed as very conservative.  Its’ members come from many different religious backgrounds, some even coming from a non- religious background. Although it is the second largest political party it still has a few opponents. The opponents consist of the Social Democratic Party of Germany, The Left Party, and The Greens.

As mentioned earlier it has a sister party that is that CSU. Both of these parties have very similar views when it comes to federal policies. The only main difference between the two parties is that the CSU is a little bit more socially conservative compared to the CDU.

Today the CDU has many organizations. Some of the most known organizations of the CDU are the Junge Union, Christian Democratic Employees’ Association, Evangelical Working Group of the CDU/CSU, and the Association of Christian Democratic Students. 

Since 1950 the CDU has had 5 different German Chancellors from the CDU. The very first was Konrad Adenhauer, who was also the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. Today Konrad has a foundation named after him called “The Konrad Adenhauer Foundation.” After Konrad’s 14 years of serving the CDU, Ludwig Erhard took over. He is most known for the Germany economic postwar reform and economic recovery.  After his three year of serving, Kurt Georg Kiesinger took over for the next three years. Next in office was Helmut Kohl. Helmut is now well known for his architects of the German reunification. After Helmut’s 16 years in office, Angela Mekel took over. She is Germany’s present day Chancellor of the CDU. She also happens to be the first female Chancellor of Germany.

Sources for Summary:

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Democratic_Union_%28Germany%29

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konrad_Adenauer

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_Erhard

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurt_Georg_Kiesinger

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helmut_Kohl

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_Merkel

CDU Presentation

The State of Bremen

Location: Northern part of Germany

http://www.ibiscus-residence.com/images/mappe/Germany-map.jpg

Population:
Bremen: 547,340            
Bremerhaven: 113,366

Total Population:  660,706

        
Size:
126 sq miles. (Smallest amongst Germany's 16 States)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bremen

Main Industries:

Car Production- 

• 2nd largest in Europe
• Manufactures many vehicle models which include Chrysler and Mercedes Benz
• Has a workforce around 13,000 people

http://wfpquantum.s3.amazonaws.com/images/autos/articles/ultra/fc9d9jo4jhwyr0ywjpnf-6279020.jpg

Aerospace and Aviation Industry 
-One of the leading centers in Germany's for aerospace
-employs around 4,000 employees

(http://www.big-bremen.de/en/daten_fakten_inhalt_text?sv[id]=141678)

Food and Beverages  
-Home to many well known names such as Kellogg’s, Kraft, and Anheuser-Busch.

(http://www.big-bremen.de/en/daten_fakten_inhalt_text?sv[id]=141678)

Information Technology, Mobile and Wireless Technology- 
-Very technologically advanced city

(http://www.big-bremen.de/en/daten_fakten_inhalt_text?sv[id]=141678)

GDP: Approximately $39 billion in 2011

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_German_states_by_GDP

Background Information on Bremen

• Bremen consists of 2 cities, The largest city in Bremen is Bremen consisting of an Estimated population of 547,340 people.
• The 2^nd city is Bremerhaven consisting of an estimated population of 113,366.
• Bremen is located on the northwest side of the Weser River in Germany.--Bremerhaven has Germany’s second largest port, following Hamburg.
• Bremerhaven's products include: ships, aircraft, steel machinery, electrical equipment, textiles, and beer. 
• It is a commercial and industrial center in trading cotton, wool, tobacco, and copper. 

http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/world/A0808837.html, Aug. 30, 201

Places to see:  

Bremen Town Hall- 

• dates back to the15th century 
• one of the most important examples of Brick Gothic architecture in Europe

http://www.euratlas.com/Atlas/germany_north/bremen_city_hall.jpg

Becks Brewery- 

• Well known brewery around the world. Dates back to 1879.

http://cdn-locations-images.tripomatic.com/img-poi9120-qVcwyO-m.jpg

Bottcherstrasse- 

• known as the "museum street" 
• very famous for its unusual architecture

http://www.kunsttrip.nl/images/bremen/het%20bottcherstrasse%20bremen.jpg

A Brief History of Bremen and Interesting Cultural Information

 -In 787 under the rule of Charlemagne, Bremen became bishopric and a base for missionary activity. In 847 it became archbishopric.
-Bremen joined the Hanseatic League in 1358, then the Free Imperial City in 1646.
-In 1806, the Free Imperial City of Bremen became an sovereign state title Free Hanseatic City of Bremen. Their currency was the Bremen thaler until 1873.
-In 1827 Bremen bought land from Kingdom of Hanover, where Bremerhaven (literally translates as Bremen's Harbor) was established.
-Bremen became part of North German Confederation in 1867, then an autonomous component state of the German Emprire in 1871.
-Under the Third Reich, Bremen became a regular city in 1935 and wasn't reestablished as a state until 1947.
-In 1949, Bremen joined the Federal Republic in German. 

http://www.indianchieftravel.com/en/germany/bremen/bremen/bremen-germany-1, Sep. 2, 2012

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bremen_%28state%29, Sep. 2, 2012

  Bremen Town Musicians
-Featured in Brother's Grimm story
-Rumored if you rub the donkey's leg while making a wish, the wish will come true

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/14/Bremen.band.500pix.jpg/250px-Bremen.band.500pix.jpg

Ratskeller
-Germany's oldest wine  cellar
-Dates back to 1409
-Featured in a verse of a poem by Heinrich Heine
-Setting for Phantasein im Bremer Ratskeller by Wilhelm Hauff  

http://www.szenenight.de/images/eventlist/venues/ratskeller_1287058646.jpg

St. Peter's Cathedral
-99 meters tall
-No structure in Bremen is taller than the Cathedral

http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/6b/01/3d/st-peter-s-cathedral.jpg

Statue of Roland 
-Medieval hero, Bremen's city protector
-Erected in 1404 as symbol of city's freedom

http://www.monkeysandmountains.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/things-to-do-in-bremen_roland-statue.jpg

http://www.bremen-tourism.de/bremen-at-a-glance, Sep. 2, 2012

 Gunter Meisner 

• Born April 18th, 1926 in Bremen, Germany 
• Played Mr. Slugworth in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory in 1971 
• Died of heart failure in Berlin at the age of 68

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheIJ7X4XvaXk8aTanUgUxwQDDnqVTJKpPhWLZ83AbKCwdNPbh-bZt02WuGnU3o9afY1bauP5GkxiezyAq2m4BwbmpyblTVgLBV7npi8sNWJcdCe3vew42grcmi3uJxrxdNabPTHLlsun4/s1600/gal_wonka_gunter_meisner.jpg

Bremen Flag

http://www.flags-and-anthems.com/media/flags/flagge-bremen.gif