Germany 9781422222430, 1422222438

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Major

European Union Nations Austria Belgium Czech Republic Denmark France Germany Greece Ireland

Italy The Netherlands Poland Portugal Spain Sweden United Kingdom

GERMANY

by

Ida Walker and Shaina Carmel Indovino Mason Crest

Mason Crest 370 Reed Road, Broomall, Pennsylvania 19008 www.masoncrest.com Copyright © 2013 by Mason Crest, an imprint of National Highlights, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from the publisher. Printed in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. First printing 987654321 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Walker, Ida. Germany / by Ida Walker and Shaina C. Indovino. p. cm. — (The European Union : political, social, and economic cooperation) Includes index. ISBN 978-1-4222-2243-0 (hardcover) — ISBN 978-1-4222-2231-7 (series hardcover) — ISBN 9781-4222-9267-9 (ebook) 1. Germany—History—Juvenile literature. 2. German—Description and travel—Juvenile literature. 3. Germany—Social life and customs—Juvenile literature. 4. European Union—Germany—Juvenile literature. I. Indovino, Shaina Carmel. II. Title. DD17.W35 2011 943—dc22 2010051291 Produced by Harding House Publishing Services, Inc. www.hardinghousepages.com Interior layout by Micaela Sanna. Cover design by Torque Advertising + Design.

Contents Introduction 8 1. Modern Issues 11 2. Germany’s History and Government 19 3. The Economy 31 4. Germany’s People and Culture 41 5. Looking to the Future 49 Time Line 56 Find Out More 57 Glossary 58 Index 61 Picture Credits 62 About the Authors and the Consultant 64

Germany European Union Member since 1952

INTRODUCTION Sixty years ago, Europe lay scarred from the battles of the Second World War. During the next several years, a plan began to take shape that would unite the countries of the European continent so that future wars would be inconceivable. On May 9, 1950, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman issued a declaration calling on France, Germany, and other European countries to pool together their coal and steel production as “the first concrete foundation of a European federation.” “Europe Day” is celebrated each year on May 9 to commemorate the beginning of the European Union (EU). The EU consists of twenty-seven countries, spanning the continent from Ireland in the west to the border of Russia in the east. Eight of the ten most recently admitted EU member states are former communist regimes that were behind the Iron Curtain for most of the latter half of the twentieth century. Any European country with a democratic government, a functioning market economy, respect for fundamental rights, and a government capable of implementing EU laws and policies may apply for membership. Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU in 2007. Croatia, Serbia, Turkey, Iceland, Montenegro, and Macedonia have also embarked on the road to EU membership. While the EU began as an idea to ensure peace in Europe through interconnected economies, it has evolved into so much more today: • Citizens can travel freely throughout most of the EU without carrying a passport and without stopping for border checks. • EU citizens can live, work, study, and retire in another EU country if they wish. • The euro, the single currency accepted throughout seventeen of the EU countries (with more to come), is one of the EU’s most tangible achievements, facilitating commerce and making possible a single financial market that benefits both individuals and businesses. • The EU ensures cooperation in the fight against cross-border crime and terrorism. • The EU is spearheading world efforts to preserve the environment. • As the world’s largest trading bloc, the EU uses its influence to promote fair rules for world trade, ensuring that globalization also benefits the poorest countries. • The EU is already the world’s largest donor of humanitarian aid and development assistance, providing around 60 percent of global official development assistance to developing countries in 2011.

The EU is not a nation intended to replace existing nations. The EU is unique—its member countries have established common institutions to which they delegate some of their sovereignty so that decisions on matters of joint interest can be made democratically at the European level. Europe is a continent with many different traditions and languages, but with shared values such as democracy, freedom, and social justice, cherished values well known to North Americans. Indeed, the EU motto is “United in Diversity.” Enjoy your reading. Take advantage of this chance to learn more about Europe and the EU! Ambassador John Bruton, Former EU President and Prime Minister of Ireland

Harbor in Hamburg, Germany.

1 CHAPTER

Modern Issues

ermany has seen empires rise and fall. This Western European nation has played a role in tragedies that rank among human history’s darkest times—but it has also experienced both cultural and economic triumphs.

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Flag of the European Union

The Formation of the European Union The EU is a confederation of European nations that continues to grow. All countries that enter the EU agree to follow common laws about foreign security policies. They also agree to cooperate on legal matters that go on within the EU. The European Council meets to discuss all international matters and make decisions about them. Each country’s own concerns and interests are important, though. And apart from legal and financial issues, the EU tries to uphold values such as peace and solidarity, human dignity, freedom, and equality. All member countries remain autonomous. This means that they generally keep their own laws and regulations. The EU becomes involved only if there is an international issue or if a member country has violated the principles of the union. The idea for a union among European nations was first mentioned after World War II. The war had devastated much of Europe, both physically and financially. In 1950, French foreign minister Robert Schuman suggested that France and West Germany combine their coal and steel industries under one authority. Both countries would have control over the industries. This would help them become more financially stable. It would also make war between the countries much more difficult. The idea was interesting to other European countries as well. In 1951, France, West Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Italy signed the Treaty of Paris, creating the European Coal and Steel Community. These six countries would become the core of the EU. In 1957, these same countries signed the Treaties of Rome, creating the European Economic Community. This combined their economies into a single European economy. In 1965, the Merger Treaty brought together a number of these treaty organizations. The organizations were joined under a common banner, known as the European Community. Finally, in 1992, the Maastricht Treaty was signed. This treaty defined the European Union. It gave a framework for expanding the EU’s political role, particularly in the area of foreign and security policy. It would also replace national currencies with the euro. The next year, the treaty went into effect. At that time, the member countries included the original six plus another six who had joined during the 1970s and ‘80s. In the following years, the EU would take more steps to form a single market for its members. This would make joining the union even more of an advantage. Three more countries joined during the 1990s. Another twelve joined in the first decade of the twenty-first century. As of 2012, six countries were waiting to join the EU.

Chapter One—Modern Issues

13

Muslim families living in the European Union often face discrimination because of their religion.

Germany’s twentieth-century history was marred by two world wars and the rise of Hitler’s Third Reich. Today’s Germans have not forgotten Hitler’s genocidal reign; that dark era in German history still haunts the nation. Modern Germany, however, has for the most part managed to rise above its dark past.

14

European Union—Germany

A founding member of the European Union, Germany is considered one of strongest nations in the EU today. In recent years, however, Germany has had to cope with its fair share of hardships and controversies. In the twenty-first century, Germany faces both international economic strife and domestic social problems. War over-

Muslims in the European Union Muslims are people who follow Islam, a religion that grew from some of the same roots as Judaism and Christianity. “Islam” means “submission to God,” and Muslims try to let God shape all aspects of their lives. They refer to God as Allah; their holy scriptures are called the Qur’an, and they consider the Prophet Muhammad to be their greatest teacher. About 16 million Muslims live in the European Union—but their stories vary from country to country. Some Muslim populations have been living in Europe for hundreds of years. Others came in the middle of the twentieth century. Still others are recent refugees from the troubled Middle East. By 2020, the Muslim population in Europe is predicted to double. By 2050, one in five Europeans are likely to be Muslim, and by 2100, Muslims may make up one-quarter of Europe’s people. Not all Europeans are happy about these predictions. Negative stereotypes about Muslims are common in many EU countries. Some Europeans think all Muslims are terrorists. But stereotypes are dangerous! When you believe a stereotype, you think that people in a certain group all act a certain way. “All jocks are dumb” is a stereotype. “All women are emotional” is another stereotype, and another is, “All little boys are rough and noisy.” Stereotypes aren’t true! And when we use stereotypes to think about others, we often fall into prejudice—thinking that some groups of people aren’t as good as others. Fundamentalist Muslims want to get back to the fundamentals—the basics—of Islam. However, their definition of what’s “fundamental” is not always the same as other Muslims’. Generally speaking, they are afraid that the influence of Western morals and values will be bad for Muslims. They believe that the laws of Islam’s holy books should be followed literally. Many times, they are willing to kill for their beliefs—and they are often willing to die for them as well. Men and women who are passionate about these beliefs have taken part in violent attacks against Europe and the United States. They believe that terrorism will make the world take notice of them, that it will help them fight back against the West’s power. But most Muslims are not terrorists. In fact, most Muslims are law-abiding and hardworking citizens of the countries where they live. Some Muslims, however, believe that women should have few of the rights that women expect in most countries of the EU. This difference creates tension, since the EU guarantees women the same rights as men. But not all Muslims are so conservative and strict. Many of them believe in the same “golden rule” preached by all major religions: “Treat everyone the way you want to be treated.” But despite this, hate crimes against Muslims are increasing across the EU. These crimes range from death threats and murder to more minor assaults, such as spitting and name-calling. Racism against Muslims is a major problem in many parts of the EU. The people of the European Union must come to terms with the fact that Muslims are a part of them now. Terrorism is the enemy to be fought—not Muslims.

Chapter One—Modern Issues

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seas, unemployment at home, as well as tensions between minority and immigrant populations all present challenges for Germany. Islam in Germany Muslims have been living in Germany for many centuries, but the Muslim population in Germany grew dramatically after the government opened its “guest worker” program in the early 1960s. Today, according to a 2009 study, around 4.3 million Germans are Muslim. That means over 5 percent of the nation practices Islam. Most of the Muslim population in Germany (around 2.5 million or 63 percent) is of Turkish descent, according to the study. Germany’s Muslims make up the nation’s largest minority religion. Most Muslims living in Germany reside in cities in West Germany. Many German Muslims are completely a part of German society. They work, eat, and go to school alongside non-Muslim Germans. Though the Muslim population in Germany is a large part of society, Muslims living in Germany still face prejudice. Recent polls show that some Germans fear and distrust German Muslims. These Germans believe that their way of life is being threatened by the presence of Islam in Germany. In 2006, some German states introduced laws banning Muslim teachers from wearing hijabs, or headscarves, while teaching. Students are still allowed to wear their religious clothing, however. One of Germany’s top-selling nonfiction books in 2010, 16

European Union—Germany

Germany Is Doing Away with Itself, written by former finance minister Thilo Sarrazin, attacked Islam as un-Germanic. Though Muslims and Islam itself cause fearful or hateful reactions on the part of many Germans, Islam is becoming more and more a part of German society. Often, the debate over accepting Islam as part of German society has boiled down to a single question: What does it mean to be German? The War in Afghanistan Germany’s military is typically reserved for defensive purposes. In recent years, however, the military—called the Bundeswehr—has been involved in several international operations. Around 200,000 German troops currently serve in the military. Almost all German soldiers serving internationally work as part of EU- or UN-led international coalitions. Around 5,300 German soldiers serve as part of the International Security Assistance (ISAF) in Afghanistan. These troops also operate in Uzbekistan. German soldiers are also stationed in Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Lebanon, but more German soldiers are serving in Afghanistan as part of the ISAF than in any other area of conflict. The United Nations Security Council established the ISAF on December 20, 2001. NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) leads the ISAF mission. The German military has been involved with the war since the UN created the ISAF in 2001.

The German military has soldiers stationed in Afghanistan to aid in the war effort.

Germany’s commitment to the war in Afghanistan has been harshly criticized at home. Started in 2001 after the terrorist attacks of September 11th, the war in Afghanistan is fought by NATO coalition forces and the United States military. As of March 2012, Germany had lost 53 soldiers since the start of the war, over ten years earlier. According to a poll appearing in the online edition of the German newspaper Der Spiegel,

only 23 percent of the German public said they felt “optimism about stabilizing Afghanistan” in 2010. In March 2012, Der Spiegel reported that most Germans (57 percent) favored an early withdrawal from Afghanistan. The German government must now contend with decreasing public support for a war that has led to more German military deaths than any conflict since World War II, while trying to aid its international allies in the war effort.

Chapter One—Modern Issues

17

A medieval castle overlooks a modern village on the Rhine.

2

Germany’s History and Government

CHAPTER

ermany has not always existed as the country it is today. For centuries, the area was more of a cultural region than a nation. It was comprised of many territories, each fairly independent and ruled by its own leader. The people of these territories were culturally similar, but they were not united under one government. In 1871, these territories came together under a single government, and Germany the nationstate was born.

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The borders of this first German nation-state, however, are not Germany’s borders today. Within a century, the infant nation acquired a dark history: two world wars, a famous dictator and his terrible crimes, several rebellions, and a division of the country. Today, the Federal Republic of Germany stands as a united, democratic country, a leading member of the United Nations, and a central figure in the European Union (EU). As a nation, Germany is committed to peace and shares good relations with other countries. Germany, however, traveled a long road to reach its current state. Ancient Germany Ancient artifacts discovered on German lands indicate the area was home to early human beings 400,000 years ago. The Celts, however, were the first recorded people of the territory. Around 1000 BCE, North European tribes began migrating to the area. By 100 BCE, they had conquered the Celts and taken over the land completely. The Romans dubbed these tribes Germani, and the land became known as Germania. The Germanic tribes were mostly farmers and hunters. The Romans called them barbarians and tried to push the Germani back, but after losing a major battle in 9 CE, the Romans started instead building barriers to keep out the Germanic tribes. Slowly, the Roman Empire collapsed, and then it was the tribes’ turn to plunder Rome. The western portion of the Roman Empire came under 20

European Union—Germany

Germanic control in the 400s and was carved into tribal kingdoms. The Franks emerged as the most powerful tribe in the region. Charlemagne, a Frank and the greatest ruler of the era, built an empire that extended over Germany, France, and much of central Italy. Civil wars followed Charlemagne’s death, and his sons divided their father’s empire into three kingdoms. The Holy Roman Empire Eventually, the Frank dynasty died out in Germany and gave way to the Saxons. Otto I, a strong Saxon emperor, founded the Holy Roman Empire in 962 CE. The Holy Roman Empire, not to be confused with the Roman Empire (31 BCE–476 CE), is often called the First German Reich, that is, German Empire. However, it was neither fully German nor a proper empire. The Holy Roman Empire was a group of Western and Central European territories that stood united by Christianity. While there was one supreme emperor, each territory had its own individual ruler. Constant struggles between these rulers and the empire marked the period. The crown and the Roman Catholic Church were also locked in a power struggle. In the early stages of the empire, the emperors were very powerful. But as time passed, they were forced to grant more and more power to territorial rulers. The feudal system became stronger. The nobility, a new class that challenged the emperor, emerged.

A fourteenth-century painting of Charlemagne. Today the painting is in Karlstein Castle.

This led to the creation of a new Christian group, the Protestants, Dating Systems and Their Meaning or those who protest. The movement influenced the German territories too. In You might be accustomed to seeing dates expressed with the abbreviations 1517, Martin Luther, a German BC or AD, as in the year 1000 BC or the year AD 1900. For centuries, this datmonk, led a revolt against ing system has been the most common in the Western world. However, since the Church. Lutheranism, the BC and AD are based on Christianity (BC stands for Before Christ and AD Protestant group founded by stands for anno Domini, Latin for “in the year of our Lord”), many people now Luther, quickly gained a followprefer to use abbreviations that people from all religions can be comfortable ing throughout the country. using. The abbreviations BCE (meaning Before Common Era) and CE (meanThe Reformation sparked an ing Common Era, mark time in the same way (for example, 1000 BC is the era of unrest in the German tersame year as 1000 BCE, and AD 1900 is the same year as 1900 CE), but BCE ritories. German peasants, who and CE do not have the same religious overtones as BC and AD. lived under miserable conditions, revolted against the lords. Although the peasants’ demands were economic and At its peak, the empire contained most of the not religious, the Reformation provoked them into territory that makes up today’s Germany, Austria, launching a full-scale revolt. The rebellion led to the Slovenia, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Peasants’ War (1524–1526), but the peasants Luxembourg, the Czech Republic, eastern France, were brutally crushed. northern Italy, and western Poland. Later, many The Protestant movement also led to other reliregions broke away. Though the Holy Roman gious and political divisions, and wars broke out Emperors continued to rule the German territories throughout the empire. By 1555, a settlement was (and to some extent Italy) until 1806, the empire struck that recognized Lutheranism as the religion of was reduced to a collection of more-or-less inde- most of the northern and central German territories. pendent states and cities. Struggles between Catholics and Protestants, however, did not end with the settlement. Tensions eventually erupted into a series of wars collectively The Reformation known as the Thirty Years War (1618–1648). The The sixteenth century brought a new age to Peace of Westphalia ended the conflicts, but the Europe: the Reformation. People started question- German territories remained overwhelmingly ing the practices of the Roman Catholic Church. divided. 22

European Union—Germany

Portrait of the monk Martin Luther.

The German city of Brandenburgertor in 1907.

The Deutsches Reich The German territories had to pay a heavy price for their divided state: France launched a series of aggressions and captured large portions of the region. By 1806, the French general Napoleon Bonaparte dissolved Germany’s Holy Roman Empire completely. The defeat awakened a sense of nationalism in the German territories. They banded together under the Prussian banner (Prussia was 24

European Union—Germany

the largest German state) and fought the War of Liberation against the French in 1813. The German territories won, and a loose confederation was established. In 1862, Prussia’s prime minister, Otto Von Bismarck, took up the cause of German unification. He gathered the German states together to launch successful campaigns against their neighboring states. Encouraged by his success, the German states decided to unite fully. On January 18, 1871, they accepted Prussian King William I

as their emperor and announced the establishment of the Deutsches Reich. With this, Germany the nation-state was born. The Deutsches Reich provided for a democratically elected parliament, the Reichstag, but granted it only limited powers. It also gave powers to individual states, though the real authority rested with the Prussian emperor, the kaiser.

worker protests exploded into a revolution. The emperor went into exile, and a new German government, the Weimar Republic, was formed. It asked for peace, but that peace came at a heavy cost. Germany lost both land and money, forcing it to reduce the size of its armed forces.

Nazi Germany and World War II World War I and the Weimar Republic During the period 1871–1910, the Reich fared well, but then the tide turned and things started to sour. A severe economic depression gripped the land. Socialism became a louder voice. The German working class demanded democracy; they wanted the Reichstag to have real powers. Then came World War I, and the situation worsened. The war started on June 28, 1914, when Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Black Hand, a Serbian nationalist group, assassinated Archduke Ferdinand and his wife Sophie of Austria. Russia supported Serbia and Germany supported Austria, so Germany declared war on Russia. After France stepped in on the Russian side, Germany attacked France. Since the quickest route to Paris was through Belgium, German troops invaded that neutral country. Great Britain then declared war on Germany. At first, German workers supported the war; later they changed their minds. By 1918, when it became clear that Germany had lost the war,

The large reparations Germany had to make to the war victors placed a great burden on the country. In 1922–1923, the economy collapsed, and the National Socialist German Workers Party, the Nazi Party, attempted a revolution under their leader, Adolf Hitler. The revolution failed. By the late 1920s, the economy seemed to have recovered, and the country again emerged as a cultural and intellectual center. The worldwide depression of 1929 cut short the good times. The economy was hit badly, and confusion reigned. The Nazi Party grew more powerful, attracting members by offering radical solutions to the country’s economic problems and upholding patriotic values. Unfortunately, most people who supported Hitler had no idea of his real plans. Soon after being appointed as the chancellor in 1933, Adolf Hitler became a dictator. Hitler’s Germany was unofficially called the Third Reich. Hitler considered the German people superior to all others, and wanted only people of German origin to live in Germany. In 1935, he started a horrifying, inhuman campaign to rid the land of Jews and others who he felt “polluted” the

Chapter Two—Germany’s History and Government

25

German population. In the following years, the Nazi Party systematically killed millions of people in what they referred to as the “Final Solution.” Hitler also wanted to rebuild the German military might it had lost in World War I. In 1936, he formed an alliance with Italy and signed an anti-Communist agreement with Japan. These three powers became known as the Axis powers. Hitler’s plans for Germany also included getting more land. In 1938, Germany occupied Austria, and the next year it seized Czechoslovakia. In August 1939, Germany and the Soviet Union formed a nonaggression pact in which both agreed to remain neutral if the other became involved in a war. Secretly, they also agreed to divide Poland and parts of Eastern Europe between them. On September 1, 1939, Hitler addressed the Reichstag and claimed that Poland had tried to invade Germany. With that, the German military invaded Poland, and the flames of World War II ignited. To defend Poland, Great Britain and France declared war on Germany two days later. Unfortunately, Poland fell to the Germans (who split the country with the Soviets along previously determined lines), who then went on to capture Denmark, Norway, Luxembourg, and Belgium. In May 1940, France too fell into the Germans’ hands. The Balkans and Crete were the sites of the next German victories. In June 1941, Hitler reneged on the nonaggression pact and invaded the Soviet Union. At first the German army met with frightening success, but ultimately the invasion turned 26

European Union—Germany

out to be a mistake. The massive Soviet Union, its harsh climate, and its scorched-earth policy simply could not be defeated. Having advanced within 30 miles (48.3 kilometers) of Moscow, the German troops were now pushed back. Meanwhile, after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the United States entered the war. By 1944, Germany was losing the war. Hitler committed suicide on April 30, 1945. A week later, May 7, 1945, the country surrendered. Once again, a war left Germany in ruins. The Division In July and August, the leaders of Great Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union decided to rebuild Germany and placed themselves as its governing body. However, the Allies had severe disagreements, and the country was divided into East and West. West Germany, under British and U.S. control, was named the Federal Republic of Germany. Its capital was Bonn. East Germany, under Soviet control, became the German Democratic Republic, and its capital was East Berlin. West Germany’s government was democratic as well as capitalist. It encouraged business, and the economy thrived. East Germany, however, did not fare as well. Ruled by dictators, it was exploited by the Soviet Union. The Soviets stopped almost all trade, communication, and travel between the East and West. The Cold War had begun. In 1953, strikes and riots broke out in East Germany. Thousands of East Germans fled to West Germany. In August 1961, the Soviets built the

After 1961, Checkpoint Charlie was one of the few places where people could cross from West Berlin into East Berlin.

Pictured above today, the Berlin Wall was torn down on November 9, 1989, marking the beinning of a unified Germany.

Berlin Wall between East and West Berlin to seal off the border. However, protests continued in East Germany. On November 9, 1989, the East German government, with the approval and encouragement of Mikhael Gorbachev, the reform-minded Soviet leader, finally opened its borders. The Berlin Wall was breached. East Germany started moving toward a more democratic government. 28

European Union-Germany

The Unified Germany of Today As democracy took root in East Germany, people began considering a unified Germany. East Germany announced its desire for unification in February 1990. In May of that year, East and West Germany signed a treaty for close economic cooperation, and in July the economies of East and West Germany were united. On October 3, 1990, the unification of the countries was completed. Since East Germany

was not prosperous, the unification placed a heavy economic burden on West Germany. But the country has struggled past the many challenges it faced. Today’s Germany is a federation of sixteen states. It is a multiparty democracy. The country’s parliament has two houses: Bundersat is the upper house and Bundestag the lower house. Together, the two houses elect their president, who in turn appoints the chancellor, with whom the real power rests. Elected in 2005, Angela Merkel, a member of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union, was the first female chancellor of Germany. Joachim Gauck became Germany's president in March

2012, a position he will hold for five years. Christian Wulff, who had been president before Gauck, resigned because of accusations of corruption. Germany’s chancellor is the head of the German government, with powers similar to those of the prime minister in many other European countries. The German president is the top-most representative office holder. After two world wars and spending decades divided, Germany has come a long way in its political and economic development. It is now a country of strength and central importance in the European Union. Germany is also one of Europe’s economic powerhouses, even in the face of the economic collapse of 2008 and 2009.

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Berlin’s Trep Towers, a gleaming modern office complex.

3 CHAPTER

The Economy

ermany is a giant on the world economic stage and overshadows all its European neighbors. Germany has one of the world’s most powerful economies, and it is the second-largest importer and exporter. It is also a member of the powerful G7—the seven leading industrial nations in the world.

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Berlin is a busy modern city.

A Social Market Economy Germany’s success lies in the social market economy structure that it adopted during World War II. A social market economy has both material (financial) and social (human) dimensions. 32

European Union—Germany

The two main aspects of a social market economy are entrepreneurial responsibility and competition. It is an entrepreneur’s responsibility to see to her company’s growth and to ensure that it can adapt to changing circumstances. The government’s role is limited to creating conditions favor-

able to a healthy economy by contributing to the infrastructure, as well as fair labor and tax laws. The government is also committed to helping those unable to cope with the strenuous demands of a competitive market. The New Economy Although one-third of Germany’s gross domestic product (GDP) comes from its manufacturing giants, the dominant source of Germany’s income today comes from the service sector, which contributes two-thirds of the country’s GDP. This includes the country’s robust banking industry, the emerging sectors of information technology, and tourism. The dominant force in the German economy is its banking system. Private German banks not only control a substantial stake in German industry but also spread their influence across the globe. Lufthansa, Germany’s national air carrier, carries on its wings another strength of the German economy—tourism. Millions of tourists visit Germany each year. Germany has also built a vibrant trade-fair industry; thousands of visitors use these trade fairs as a window into Europe’s markets.

Industry: The Mainstay of Economy and Exports Heavy industry is still an important part of Germany’s economy. Nearly a quarter of the country’s GDP is dependent on the export of machines, motor vehicles, electronics, and chemicals. Supply chains for the steel, coal, cement, and motor vehicle industries are among the most technologically advanced in the world. Germany also has many food and textile enterprises. The success of Germany’s industries is based on the solid infrastructure that Germany has built. The country emphasizes training, both in institutes and the workplace. Research and development is also a major focus area. This has helped Germany engineer world-class products. The most important branch of Germany’s manufacturing sector is the automobile industry. Germany is the fourth-largest producer of motor vehicles in the world. German-produced vehicles include Volkswagen, BMW, and Porsche. In 2009, 5.2 million vehicles were manufactured in Germany. The mechanical engineering, plant construction, and electrical engineering industries have contributed to Germany’s solid reputation. Wellknown names that form a part of the electronics industry include Siemens AG, Bosch Group, and Ruhrkole AG. The German pharmaceutical industry is among the oldest and the best in the world. German medicine makers such as Hoechst, Bayer, and BASF are household names all over the world. Chapter Three—The Economy

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Quick Facts: The Economy of Germany Gross Domestic Product (GDP): US$3.085 trillion (2011 est.) GDP per Capita: US$37,900 (2011 est.) Industries: iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery, vehicles, machine tools, electronics, food and beverages, shipbuilding, textiles Agriculture: potatoes, wheat, barley, sugar beets, fruit, cabbages; cattle, pigs, poultry Export Commodities: motor vehicles, machinery, chemicals, computer and electronic products, electrical equipment, pharmaceuticals, metals, transport equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, rubber and plastic products Export Partners: France 9.4%, US 6.8%, Netherlands 6.6%, UK 6.2%, Italy 6.2%, China 5.7%, Austria 5.5%, Belgium 4.7%, Switzerland 4.4% (2011 est.) Import Commodities: machinery, data processing equipment, vehicles, chemicals, oil and gas, metals, electric equipment, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, agricultural products Import Partners: China 9.7%, Netherlands 8.4%, France 7.6%, US 5.7%, Italy 5.2%, UK 4.7%, Belgium 4.2%, Austria 4.1%, Switzerland 4.1% (2011 est.) Currency: euro (EUR) Currency Exchange Rate: US$1 = .7107 EUR (March, 2012) Note: All figures are from 2011 unless otherwise noted. Source: www.cia.gov, 2012.

Agriculture Despite thousands of acres of open farmland and forests, Germany is predominantly an urban industrial society. Farming brings in only 1 percent of the GDP and caters mainly to local needs rather than to exports. Agriculture is heavily subsidized by the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and by the German government itself. 34

European Union—Germany

Energy Sources and Transportation Germany is one of the largest energy consumers. Lignite and coal are the principal domestic sources of energy. Environmental protection and resource conservation are among the most important factors of Germany’s EU-driven energy policy, and it has invested heavily in research into supplies of

Stralau Peninsula in Berlin is the site of urban development that seeks to combine economic, social, and ecological interests.

The roof of the Sony Center looks like an oversized tent pitched above the forum on Potsdamer Platz. The complex was designed by the architect Helmut Jahn for a variety of uses, including residential, work, and entertainment.

renewable energy. Geothermal energy sources, solar-power generation, hydroelectricity, and biomass research are some of the options being explored. In 2010, around seventeen percent of Germany’s electricity was generated in an eco-friendly manner, and the country is home to one of the world’s largest solar-power plants. Transportation Highways, railways, waterways (both navigable rivers and canals located on modern ports and harbors), and airports make up Germany’s complex transportation system. Germany’s airline, Lufthansa, flies around the world and services major international airports. Germany and the Euro In 2002, Germany adopted the use of euro coins and bills. In general, Germany is in favor or increased cooperation within the EU. Germany advocates greater economic and political integration. They seek a more unified foreign and defense policy as well. The adoption of the euro as Germany’s national currency is in line with these international goals. The Slowdown In the early years of this century, although Germany’s economy was affluent and technologically advanced, the country experienced

one of the slowest-growing economies in all of Europe. Internal and external economic problems slowed the growth rate to less than 1 percent in 2003–2004. Germany’s internal problems stemmed from two main sources. The first was the unification of West Germany with East Germany, which costs the country more than US$70 billion every year. The second reason for the country’s sluggish economic growth was unemployment and the cost of the country’s welfare bill. Germany had one of the highest unemployment rates in Europe during 2004 and 2005. According to 2004 estimates, more than 10 percent of the population was without a job. With one in ten people unemployed, consumer spending was low, forcing German manufacturers to focus on international markets for their growth. Unemployment and an aging population pushed social security payments to a level exceeding contributions from workers. The external problems affecting the German economy include the recession in Europe, which caused a steady fall in the value of the euro, the currency adopted by many nations in the EU, also caused the German economy to slow. While a weaker euro may mean good news for exports (German products become cheaper and therefore more desirable for the rest of the world), it made imports more expensive for German consumers. Since Germany relies heavily on imports, a weaker euro created an economic burden for the nation. Combined, decreased government income and increased government spending caused a deficit Chapter Three—The Economy

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in Germany’s treasury. As a result, Germany’s deficit was above the 3 percent debt level established by the EU for its member states. To overcome its economic slowdown, the government began structural reforms to revive the floundering economy. This restructuring was expected to turn around the country’s economy. The government also searched for new trading partners besides the EU, United States, Switzerland, and Japan.

Among the emerging industries that are helping Germany regain its foothold in world markets is the environment technology industry, which has already captured 18 percent of the world market share. Emerging industries like environmental technology helped Germany regain some of its foothold in world markets. The information and communication technologies industry, the aerospace industry,

Germany is an influential leader in the environment technology industry, working to limit the negative impacts of people on the Earth through means such as solar power.

and the tourism industry also helped the German economy head back toward financial stability. Unfortunately, though Germany was taking steps to recover from its economic slowdown, the global economy was on the verge of a greater crisis, a crisis brought on overseas in the United States. Global Recession In 2008, the United States’ economy entered a period of hardship that no one had seen in generations. With the failure of major American banking institutions and the bursting of a real estate sales bubble, the United States moved into recession. Soon, the recession spread to the European Union, becoming a global economic problem that affected nations across the Europe. The 2008 and 2009 recession left the global economy reeling, collapsing stock prices and causing banks to fail, affecting nations in Europe and around the world. One aspect of Germany’s recovery has been less than popular with many of its citizens. Like many governments in Western Europe, Germany provides its citizens with many benefits and many different kinds of sup-

port. These programs include systems like social security and unemployment insurance. To combat the effects of the global recession, the German government has created austerity measures that involve reducing social safety net benefits. Though many Germans don’t like the idea of their benefits being cut, others argue that all nations will have to examine their welfare systems in order to weather the economic storm caused by the global recession. In addition to facing economic challenges at home, Germany has been a leader in the European Union’s efforts to stabilize the economies of other nations that are members of the EU. The Greek and Spanish economies have been particularly hard hit by the global recession, and Germany has been at the forefront of advocating assistance for these EU members. The German government, led by Chancellor Angela Merkel, has worked hard to maintain the strength of the European Union’s economy even in the face of difficult challenges. Though measures to provide financial assistance to failing economies outside of Germany hasn’t always proven politically popular at home, Merkel’s government has advocated a position of European economic unity.

Chapter Three—The Economy

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Berlin’s Waldbuehne Ampitheatre.

4

Germany’s People and Culture

CHAPTER

ermany, home to over 81 million people, is the second most-populated country in Europe. Most Germans are of northern and central European descent. Many can trace their ancestry to ancient tribes such as the Cimbri, Franks, Goths, and Teutons. The country’s official language is German.

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Quick Facts: The People of Germany Population: 81,305,856 (July 2012 est.) Ethnic Groups: German 91.5%, Turkish 2.4%, other 6.1% (made up largely of Greek, Italian, Polish, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish) Age Structure: 0–14 years: 13.3% 15–64 years: 66.1% 65 years and over: 20.6% Population Growth Rate: –0.2% (2012 est.) Birth Rate: 8.33 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) Death Rate: 11.04 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) Migration Rate: 0.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) Infant Mortality Rate: 3.51 deaths/1,000 live births Life Expectancy at Birth: Total Population: 80.19 years Male: 77.93 years Female: 82.58 years (2012 est.) Total Fertility Rate: 1.41 children born/woman Religions: Protestant 34%, Roman Catholic 34%, Muslim 3.7%, unaffiliated or other 28.3% Languages: German Literacy Rate: 99% (2003 est.) Note: All figures are from 2011 unless otherwise noted. Source: www.cia.gov, 2012.

Non-German-speaking minorities make up 8.5 percent of Germany’s population. Native, nonGerman-speaking groups such as Danes, Frisians, Roma (often called Gypsies), and Sorbs/Wends make up part of this population. Immigrants, such as “guest workers,” from Turkey, Italy, and Yugoslavia make up another portion of the nonGerman-speaking population. 42

European Union—Germany

Religion: Freedom of Choice The German people have full freedom to choose their faith and religion. While 70 percent of the population belong to Christian religions, Islam and Judaism are also practiced. Protestantism is most popular in the north. Roman Catholicism is more prevalent in the south and west. About half the population in what was formerly East Germany has no religious affiliation. Food and Drink: Sausage, Cake, and Beer

Known for their robust appetites, Germans have traditionally preferred simple, substantial fare. Frühstück, the classic German breakfast, consists of breads, rolls, jam, and honey served with coffee and milk. Mittagessen, lunch, the main meal of the day, usually consists of meat, potatoes, and vegetables. Abendbrot, supper, is generally a cold meal, eaten early. Many Germans often brighten up their afternoons with kaffe und kuchen—coffee and cakes.

Germans enjoy gathering at street cafés for food and conversation. Modern lifestyles have brought some changes in eating habits. Germans are cutting back on meat. They enjoy foreign foods such as pizza, pasta, and doner kebabs (a lamb dish). Yet, even today, the old favorites—meat, potatoes,

sausages, pickles, bread, and cakes—dominate German cuisine. Wurst (sausage) and Aufschnitt (specialty meat) are the most distinct foods associated with Germany. About 1,500 varieties are available.

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An assortment of breads, most made from rye, and rich cakes mark German baking. As for beverages, most Germans prefer coffee to tea. Beer is the most popular alcoholic drink, followed by wine. Education and Sports: A Literate and Active People Germans take both education and sports very seriously. Almost all adults can read and write, and most can speak at least one foreign language. Nearly half the population plays some form of sport. The country produces great academicians and famous sports figures. German education is compulsory and job oriented. Every child between the ages of six and sixteen must attend school. The school system, though, is quite different from most in North America. To begin, all children attend Did You Know? German Sports Legends Grundschule, elemen• Boris Becker—tennis tary school, until the • Steffi Graff—tennis fourth grade. Then the • Fran Beckenbauer— students are divided soccer into three different • Michael Schumacher— school streams. Some auto racing children go to Haupt• Jan Ullrich—cycling • Bernhard Langer—golf schule, a job-oriented • Katja Seizinger— school that concenalpine skiing trates on teaching practical skills. Other young people attend Realschule, which offers a broader general education. And nearly half the children enroll in the 44

European Union—Germany

Gymnasium, the academic, college-preparatory school. Germany has about sixty universities and many technical and specialized colleges. It has produced great scientists such as Albert Einstein. When it comes to sports, Germans don’t believe in just watching games. They go out and play the games themselves. Soccer is by far the most popular sport. Germany has won the World Cup three times. Tennis, hockey, and basketball also have fans. Bicycling, canoeing, rowing, sailing, swimming, skiing, and hiking are other popular sports. Festivals and Events: A Fun-Loving People Germans really know how to celebrate a holiday. Parades, fancy dress parties, crowds on the streets, floats, shows, and dances—Germany puts on a grand spectacle to mark its festivals and events. While the country only observes nine religious and two secular holidays nationwide, many festivals and events are celebrated on a regional or even town-specific scale. Many of these holidays are nonreligious. Berlin, for instance, is famous for its film festival. Munich hosts Oktoberfest, an annual sixteen-day celebration of beer. Schultute is a festival for children. Children are given a schultute—a paper cone full of candy, pencils, and other small gifts—on their first day of first grade. Arts and Architecture Germany’s artists rank among the most innovative in Europe in terms of architecture, design, sculpture,

The Munich Oktoberfest is a sixteen-day celebration of good times and beer.

Schloss Neuschwanstein, a castle in Germany’s Bavarian Alps, inspired the designers of Cinderella’s castle in Disneyworld. painting, and printmaking. Huge fortress-like cathedrals, tall churches crowned with pointed arches, and ornate castles decorated with dramatic oil paintings and frescoes dot the countryside. Historically, Germany has not only been a leader in architecture; it’s also been a leader in 46

European Union—Germany

painting. Germany gave birth to the expressionist style of painting. George Grosz and Käthe Kollwitz are well-known expressionist artists. Born in the early twentieth century, the expressionist movement sought to express emotions by distorting and exaggerating natural forms.

Today, modern mediums, such as photography, video art, metal sculpture, environment-driven art, film, and fashion photography, flourish in Germany. Music and Literature: A Land of Genius Having produced numerous great poets, thinkers, and musical virtuosos, Germany can truly be called a land of genius. In literature, the first well-recognized German work was Martin Luther’s sixteenth-century translation of the Bible. The greatest period for German literature lasted from about 1750 to 1830. Greats such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Friedrich Schiller, and Friedrich Holderlin were the

leading authors of this period. Later German writers Thomas Mann, Hermann Hesse, Heinrich Böll, and Günter Grass have all received the Nobel Prize for Literature. Germany enjoys a special place in children’s literature. The Grimm Brothers traveled the German countryside, recording what have become some of the world’s best-loved fairy-tales. Characters such as Hansel and Gretel, the Pied Piper of Hamelin, and Cinderella were all based on German folktales. Johann Sebastian Bach established the great tradition of German music in the early 1700s. Ludwig van Beethoven was the virtuoso of the 1800s. Felix Mendelssohn, Franz Schubert, Robert Schumann, Richard Wagner, Richard Strauss, Arnold Schoenburg, and Kurt Weill, all great composers, carried the baton through to the twentieth century. Works by these classical composers continue to be enjoyed the world over. However, Germans today enjoy a wide variety of music, including hip-hop, rock, and pop.

Chapter Four—Germany’s People and Culture

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Shell Haus in Berlin is an example of Germany’s modern architecture.

5 CHAPTER

Looking to the Future

ermany faces a number of challenges going forward, some domestic and some international. The German economy may be recovering, but austerity measures advocated by the government are causing unrest among its citizens. The difficulties of German reunification that have plagued the country since 1989 show some signs of waning, but evidence suggests that the divide between East and West Germans still exists. Despite economic and political concerns, Germany is an example of how a modern economic power can move toward environmentally friendly energy and business policies.

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East and West Though Germany has been reunified for two decades, the issues surrounding a single Germany have caused divisions between the nation’s people. Resentment and anger have characterized discussions between the East and West for years, but the relationship may be improving. German news site Deutsche Welle reports that teenagers in East and West Germany see themselves as far more similar than they are different. “I don’t think there’s still a wall in our minds,” one teen tells the news site. “I grew up with the idea that it’s one country.” Young Germans from the East and West have grown up in similar environments. During the Cold War, when the Berlin Wall kept Germans separated, Germans from the East and West lived very different lives. The Eastern side of the Berlin Wall was nearly unapproachable, guarded by armed soldiers ready to fire. The West had more access to economic opportunity and a freer society in general. But all that has changed now. Today, 20 percent of Germans were born after 1990, when Germany was officially reunited. They have very little sense of a divided Germany. To these young Germans, their nation has always been a single whole, undivided by a wall. They’ve never known anything different. Despite changing attitudes, one key division between East and West Germans still remains important: West Germans continue to have a higher chance of being financially stable than 50

European Union—Germany

East Germans. West Germans are, overall, a wealthier group than their Eastern counterparts. Due to the high unemployment in East Germany, many East German youth are less hopeful about their opportunities than West Germans. Unemployment is around twice as high for young people in East Germany as it is for West German youth. Many young people plan to leave the East when they can, often to pursue education or employment opportunities in the West. Most Germans, both from the East and West, believe that greater chance for success lies in West Germany than in the East. The inequality between life in the East and West is an issue that continues to cause tension in Germany. Germany has come a long way toward true unification, but future work still needs to be done to bridge the divide. School Violence Many Germans consider violence in schools to be a major national problem. In recent years, several deadly school shootings have shocked Germany, igniting both outrage and discussion about what causes young people to be violent. In 2009, a seventeen-year-old German student killed sixteen people, including himself, at his high school in the southern German town of Winnenden. In 2006, an eighteen-year-old young man entered his former high school and shot eight people. The gunman then killed himself. One of Germany’s most infamous school shootings occurred in 2002 in the town of Erfurt, when a nineteen-year-old student entered the high school

Even though the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, major divisions still exist between East and West Germany.

The occurence of school shootings is a nationwide problem for Germany.

from which he’d been expelled and killed 17 people and then himself. The massacre at Erfurt was the most deadly school shooting since a 1996 shooting in Scotland. These shootings have led many Germans to wonder about the cause of such violence. Discussions range from alienation among young people to violence in media. Some German politicians claim that violent video games are to blame for the recent violence in German schools. Over the last few years, politicians who blame violent computer and video games for school violence have introduced laws to ban the creation and sale of these games. Others argue that games shouldn’t be treated any different than books or movies, and that banning their sale or creation wouldn’t have an effect on the violence in German schools. Other politicians look to reforming Germany’s gun laws as a way to solve the issue of school violence. While German laws regulating the sale and ownership of guns are considered strong, some politicians (and members of the public) argue that guns should be banned altogether. Others say that the age at which people are allowed to own firearms should be raised from eighteen to twenty-one. This is a major issue that will affect Germany’s future. The Environment In the twenty-first century, many Western nations are struggling with how to grow their economies while working toward a more environmentally

friendly future. Germany is at the forefront of creating a greener economy. Germans have used “green technology” (technology that helps create and maintain sustainable energy use) to build their economy and make it stronger. Germany has been a world leader in implementing steps to save the environment for future generations. Some experts, however, criticize some of the actions Germany’s government has taken as lacking foresight. For instance, Germany is committed to increasing the use of biofuels— and yet the land use necessary for biofuel production has accelerated the destruction of the world’s rainforests; a single fuel tank of bio-ethanol uses up as much grain as an adult can eat in a whole year. In order to cover the German requirement for biofuels, an area of around one million hectares of farmland would be needed, which would need to be fertilized, treated with pesticides, and intensively farmed. Environmental groups say that across Europe, farming for biofuels would create up to 56 million tons of additional greenhouse gases. Despite these problems with the some of the actions Germany has taken to protect the environment, the nation nevertheless sets an example to the rest of the world as a nation committed to the Earth’s future. All political parties in Germany devote large parts of their policy programs to the environment. The environment is even considered a greater priority than education or security. Various German political factions will argue endlessly other issues—but a ban on conventional light bulbs was approved without a single debate.

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The euro, the EU’s currency.

Germany even spends millions of euros on redirecting roads and building tunnels to protect animal species. Germans are avid recyclers. They add solar panels to their roofs, fit their cars with carbon filters, and are careful to decrease their energy usage. Germany in the Twenty-First Century As the battered global economy slowly recovers, the need for German leadership on the European continent and in the European Union is great. Germany has a chance to show other European nations how to move past the recession of 2008 by reforming its welfare system and improving the stability in its economy. Germany’s assistance to other European nations affected by

the recession is a sign that the nation continues to favor international cooperation over individual sovereignty. Germany still believes that Europe rises and falls together. In a new century of globalized business and communication, this has never been more the case. Socially, Germany continues to struggle with some of the same issues countries across Europe face. Accepting and integrating immigrants and minority groups will be of huge international importance in the next several years. The ability of European countries, Germany included, to expand their national identities to include minorities will strengthen, not weaken, their societies. The twenty-first century presents Germany with a number of challenges, but also many opportunities to overcome them. Germany’s future is full of potential.

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Time Line 1000 BCE 800 CE 962 CE 1517 1618 1648 1792 1803 1806 1813–1815 1815 1862 1870–1871 1871 1914 1918 1919 1933 1935 1939 1945 1948–1949 1949 1953 1957 1961 1989 1990 1992 1997 2001 2002 2008

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Tribes from northern Europe take over large portions of the land that is now Germany. Charlemagne’s empire is established Otto I is crowned emperor and establishes the Holy Roman Empire. The Reformation begins in Germany. A protest by Bohemian Protestants in Prague marks the beginning of the Thirty Years War. The Peace of Westphalia ends the Thirty Years War. The war against revolutionary France begins. Germany is redistributed. The Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation is dissolved. Liberation wars against Napoleonic France begin. The German Confederation Holy Alliance between Russia, Austria, and Prussia is founded to suppress liberal movements. Otto von Bismarck is appointed prime minister of Prussia. Franco-German War is waged. The German Empire is founded with Bismarck as chancellor. Emperor William I is crowned in Versailles. World War I begins. Germany defeated in World War I A German national assembly is elected to write a constitution, and the Weimar Republic is established. Adolf Hitler is appointed chancellor. Anti-Semitic “Nuremberg Laws” are passed. Germany invades Poland, and World War II begins. Allies defeat Germany in World War II. Soviet Union institutes an economic blockade of West Berlin; it fails. The Federal Republic of Germany is founded and a constitution established. Soviet Union crushes an East German revolt. The European Economic Community begins between Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Soviets build the Berlin Wall to prevent East Germans from crossing to West Germany. East Germany opens the Berlin Wall and other barriers. East and West Germany unify and become a single entity again. The Maastricht Treaty is signed, creating the EU. Germany signs the new EU Treaty, the Treaty of Amsterdam. Germany’s parliament condemns the terrorist attacks of September 11 in the United States and endorses Germany’s solidarity with the United States. Euro notes and coins replace deutsche mark. A global recession hits the entire world, including Germany.

Find Out MOre

In Books

Fulbrook, Mary. A Concise History of German. London: Cambridge University Press, 2004. Lane, Kathyrn. Germany, the Culture. New York: Crabtree, 2001. Nees, Greg. Germany: Unraveling an Enigma. Boston: Nicholas Brealey, 2000. Nickles, Greg, and Niki Walker. Germany. New York: Raintree Steck-Vaughn, 2001. Reynolds, Jeff. Germany A–Z. New York: Children’s Press, 2005. On the Internet

History and Geography www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107568.html www.bartleby.com/65/ge/Germany.html Economic and Political Information www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html www.germany-info.org www.wikipedia.org www.destatis.de (in German) EU Information europa.eu.int/

Publisher’s note: The websites listed on this page were active at the time of publication. The publisher is not responsible for websites that have changed their addresses or discontinued operation since the date of publication. The publisher will review and update the website list upon each reprint.

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Glossary affluent: Wealthy. alienation: Feeling of separation from the group with which a person should belong.

confederation: A group of allied states or countries. conservation: The preservation, management, and care of natural or cultural resources.

austerity: A policy that cuts government spending, reducing public services.

consumers: People who buy things.

biofuels: Fuel made from organic materials, such as corn and sugar beets.

controversies: Arguments; topics upon which people disagree.

biomass: Energy from organic materials, such as wood or grass.

deficit: In finance, when income spent exceeds income received.

capitalist: Of or relating to an economic system based on private ownership of capital.

domestic: Having to do with the home country.

Celts: An ancient Indo-European people who lived in central and western Europe in preRoman times.

eco-friendly: Done in a way that does not harm the environment.

chancellor: The head of government in a parliamentary democracy. coalitions: Groups that have agreed to work together for a common goal. Cold War: A period of hostility between the Soviet Union and the West in which there was political conflict but no armed warfare. compulsory: Required.

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economic: Having to do with the system of making money. entrepreneurial: Willing to take risks in order to make a profit. exploited: Taken advantage of. frescoes: Paintings done on a wall or ceiling by brushing watercolors onto damp plaster.

feudal system: A medieval system in which vassals worked land from lords in exchange for military service.

neutral: Unaffiliated, not taking sides.

genocidal: Having to do with destroying an entire people.

optimism: Hopefulness.

geothermal: Relating to the heat produced in the Earth’s interior. gross domestic product: The total value of all the goods and services produced within a country in a year. infrastructure: The public systems, services, and utilities that are necessary for economic activity. information technology: Computer sciences. mediums: The methods an artist uses or categories in which an artist works. nationalism: Loyalty and devotion to a nation. nationalist: Someone or something that stands for the rights and interests of the nation. nation-state: An independent state recognized by and able to interact with other states, especially one composed of people of one nationality.

nobility: The aristocratic class.

parliament: A legislative body made up of representatives. prejudice: Unfair judgments based on a person’s race, sex, religion, or some other quality that sets that person apart. recession: A period of economic slowdown. reneged: Failed or refused to fulfill a promise or obligation. reparations: Compensation demanded from a defeated nation by a victor in a war. scorched-earth policy: In World War II, the Soviet Union’s tactic of destroying all crops, equipment, or other resources that could be useful to the advancing German army. service sector: The part of the economy made up of businesses that provide service to others.

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socialism: A political system in which the means of production and distribution are controlled by the people. sovereignty: Have supreme, independent authority over a region or country. stabilizing: Making more stable, less uncertain. sustainable: Able to be replenished; having to do with something that does not permanently use up the Earth’s resources. terrorist: A person who uses terror as a political weapon to try to achieve political goals. unification: The act of bringing together. virtuosos: Exceptionally talented performers.

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INDEX Muslim 14–17

Afghanistan 16–17 ancient Germany 20 art 47

Oktoberfest 44

Berlin 26–29, 44 Berlin Wall 26–29, 50 Bonaparte, Napoleon 24

Peasants’ War 22 population of Germany 26, 37, 42, 44 prejudice 15, 16 Prussia 24–25

Charlemagne 20 Cold War 26, 50 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 34 Deutsches Reich 24–25 economy 25, 26, 31–39, 53, 55 education 44, 50, 53 environment 34, 35, 38, 47, 49, 50, 53, 55 euro 13, 34, 37, 55 European Union 13–15, 20, 29, 39, 55 festivals 44 Franks 20, 41 German food and drink 33, 34, 42–44 Hamburg 10 Holy Roman Empire 20–22 Islam 14–17 Luther, Martin 22

Reformation 22 Reichstag 25, 26 religious beliefs in Germany 14–17, 22, 42, 44 Rhine river 18 Saxons 20 School violence 50–53 single market 13 sports in Germany 44 terrorism 15 Thirty Years’ War 22 unemployment 16, 37, 39, 50 unification 24, 28, 29, 37, 49, 50 Von Bismarck, Otto 24 War of Liberation 24 Weimar Republic 25 King William I 24 World War I 14, 20, 25–26 World War II 13, 14, 17, 20, 25–26, 32

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PICTURE CREDITS Page 9: Presse- und Informationsamt des Landes Berlin/G. Schneider 36: Presse- und informationsamt des Landes Berlin/G. Schneider 10: Federal Photo Archive, Press & Information Office of the Federal Govt., Berlin 37: Federal Photo Archive, Press & Information Office of the Federal Govt., Berlin 11: Federal Photo Archive, Press & Information Office of the Federal Govt., Berlin 38–39: Presse- und Informationsamt des Landes Berlin/G. Schneider 13: Federal Photo Archive, Press & Information Office of the Federal Govt., Berlin 40: Presse- und Informationsamt des Landes Berlin/G. Schneider 14: Federal Photo Archive, Press & Information Office of the Federal Govt., Berlin 44: Presse- und Informationsamt des Landes Berlin/G. Schneider 15: Federal Photo Archive, Press & Information Office of the Federal Govt., Berlin 46: Presse- und Informationsamp des Landes Berlin/G. Schneider 16: Federal Photo Archive, Press & Information 47: Landesarchiv Berlin Office of the Federal Govt., Berlin 49: Federal Photo Archive, Press & Information 18: Partner for Berlin/FTB Werbefotografie tion Office of the Federal Govt., Berlin 19: Presse- und Informationsamt des Landes Berlin/W. Gerling 50: Presse- und Informationsamt des Landes Berlin/G. Schneider 20: Landesarchiv Berlin 52: (c) European Community, 2004

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22: Landesarchiv Berlin/Prof. Henry Ries 53: (c) European Community, 2004 24: Presse- und Informationsamt des Landes 55: (c) European Community, 2004 Berlin/G. Schneider 59: (c) European Community, 2004 26: Landesarchiv Berlin 61: (c) European Community, 2004 28: Presse- und Informationsamt des Landes 64: (c) European Community, 2004 Berlin/J. Gläser 65: (c) European Community, 2004 29: FALCON CREST airphotos 66: (c) European Community, 2004 31: Presse- und Informationsamt des Landes 68: (c) European Community, 2004 Berlin/Thie 70: (c) European Community, 2004 32: Partner für Berlin/TFB-Werbefotografie 72: (c) European Community, 2004 34: Partner für Berlin/FTB-Werbefotografie 75: (c) European Community, 2004 Cover photos: (front) Presse- und informationsamt des Landes Berlin/Thie (back) Partner für Berlin/FTB Werbefotografie

To the best knowledge of the publisher, all other images are in the public domain. If any image has been inadvertently uncredited, please notify Harding House Publishing Services, Vestal, New York 13850, so that rectification can be made for future printings.

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About the Authors and the Consultant Authors Ida Walker is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa and did graduate work in Museum Studies/Art History at Syracuse University. She enjoys studying the history and cultures of other countries. Shaina Carmel Indovino is a writer and illustrator living in Nesconset, New York. She graduated from Binghamton University, where she received degrees in sociology and English. Shaina has enjoyed the opportunity to apply both of her fields of study to her writing and she hopes readers will benefit from taking a look at the countries of the world through more than one perspective. Series Consultant Ambassador John Bruton served as Irish Prime Minister from 1994 until 1997. As prime minister, he helped turn Ireland’s economy into one of the fastest-growing in the world. He was also involved in the Northern Ireland Peace Process, which led to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. During his tenure as Ireland’s prime minister, he also presided over the European Union presidency in 1996 and helped finalize the Stability and Growth Pact, which governs management of the euro. Before being named the European Commission Head of Delegation in the United States, he was a member of the convention that drafted the European Constitution, signed October 29, 2004. The European Commission Delegation to the United States represents the interests of the European Union as a whole, much as ambassadors represent their countries’ interests to the U.S. government. Matters coming under European Commission authority are negotiated between the commission and the U.S. administration.

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