18th Century German Business and Industry (accidentally never posted it and left it in draft mode)

After listening to the presentation on the 18th Century Business and Industry of Germany, it brought to my mind something worth researching. I know that the 3 centuries that we were told to research are clearly posted on the website, but I believe that there is a topic that has been mentioned quite frequently, but not talked about in depth: The Hanseatic League. Hamburg was the German city that my group was assigned with researching and was part of the Hanseatic League (even considers itself today), among many other cities. Even though the Hanse was not created during the first Industrial revolution of Germany and Europe, I think it helped set the stage for European, and especially, German  industrialization.
It was believed to have formed around late 12th century when merchants in Northern Europe, the Baltic region, and along rivers in those areas saw the benefits of mutual trade agreements. Germans eventually noticed the great advantages of this trade by sea, and in turn colonists began establishing trade cities that today are some of Germany's largest.
 The Hanse League was among one of the first such agreements in human history. Even though its birth happened centuries before the advent of the industrial age, it may have had a direct impact towards the signing of existing free trade agreements like EFTA and NAFTA. This was quite possibly the very beginning of human globalization. Merchants saw the advantages of cooperation and gained the ability to fend off pirates, raiders, high tariffs, and bring home goods that would otherwise be extremely expensive or unattainable altogether. Germany was one of the lasting powers in the Hanseatic League but eventually due to enemies of the pact, multiple wars, and corruption, the League disbanded. Since Germany had grown immensely through this efficient trade system, it didn't want to let that history go and kept the name of the Hanse in several cities like Bremen, Hamburg, and Lubeck, where many historical landmarks are yet preserved and admired. I found an interesting historical fact about Lubeck's refusal to allow Hitler's party to campaign in the city and forced him to speak in a nearby town. Frankly, it pissed him off and the Nazi's took away their privilege of naming themselves a "Free Hanseatic State
Germany's pride in their history and economic growth through the Hanse League may have something to do with the way they have adapted and led the way in many different areas of industrialization. There is a reputation to be lived up to as a forerunner in adaptation and innovation. Their ability to inherit industries and technologies from other advanced nations and improve on them could have stemmed from their past achievements with the Hanse. Despite several devastating wars Germany has since then become an economic power house, boasting one of the top 5 largest economies in the world and remains an icon in technology, Pharmaceuticals, vehicle production, and trade. They essential carry the Euro in today's struggling economy.

I was not aware of the rich history of the Hanse or Germany's involvement. No history class that I have ever taken (that I can remember) covered the Hanseatic League. I think this subject should be, at the least, slightly covered in today's high school European/World history courses here in the U.S. I would think that these landmarks are something worth visiting some day and hope to myself. 

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

German Media of the 19th Century

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1-NDif76kALm0FHBCyL9Q070fgw5vhrlgF9xSaac-mjU/edit

All Quiet, CH. 10 Overview, Character Overveiw

Stanislaus Katczinsky

 

Kat, was the eldest, most experienced member of the group that is followed in the book "All Quiet on the Western Front.He was known for having a keen sense of finding food and things that the company needed. Men, especially Paul, looked up to him. He discovers a box of lobster, a goose, and other meals that the soldeirs are very grateful for. He often had an answer for things that the young men asked and guided them in becoming good soldiers. Kat, to me, was probably the most important character besides Paul. He was definitely a father figure. When Paul and his 27 classmates made it to their 2nd company after training, he was the one to bring them in to the new unit and teach them the new ways. I think his death towards the end of the book symbolized that in war, everything and anyone can be consumed. Pual had never expected Kat to succumb to the enemy because he had been fighting for so long and was such a smart soldier. All it took was a random bomb and piece of shrapnel to end his life, while being carried by Paul. At this poing Paul lost all hope, or at least what small amount of hope was left. The war had consumed everyone and everything that Paul knew and completely changed him, and by the end of the book the war took him, too.

 

 

Sunday, October 7, 2012

• The use of the adults in a country to fight a war with the influential young.
• How the human being can withstand the world at its worst.
• An entire generation devastated by the previous' political choices.
• The end result of the war was the cause for the second one.
• Such a widely read book, from high school to college.

 

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Chapter 10 is both a mix of how terrible the effects of war are and also that sometimes it can still hold some vestiges of humanity. Paul and his comrades find a supply dump, where they acquire all sorts of luxuries including ingredients to make pancakes and fresh produce. It was a nice break from the constant warfare but also very short lived because the enemy found their position and shelled it. This was an important piece to include because it showed that they could still relax and enjoy a more humane living standard no matter what the situation or how short lived it might be. Soon after this Paul ended up going to the hospital with his friend and learned that war was not just momentarily terrible, but it would have long lasting effects of horror afterwards. The multitude of wounds he sees at the hospital makes him realize that his generation will grow up scarred. But it isn't all bad, the hospital also shows the bond between soldiers that is built in the trenches. One of the patients wives shows up and in order for them to have any privacy the other soldiers needed to work together so they could enjoy their time together. In essence chapter 10 shows that although Paul's generation will have long term negative effects from the war, they are still people and will survive through their struggle. This chapter is mostly about mans ability to survive the harshness the world will throw at him and still come out as a human being.

Kantorek is a major character in the story and symbolizes the nationalistic pride that led the nation to war. he is an energetic man who preaches to his students about doing a duty to their country. Because the students are easily mailable it is easy to shape their ideology. Much like a king or emperor would do to promote their regime. The students look up to him at the beginning of the novel, but after they experience war for themselves they despise him. They led them into an inhumane and harsh war where there is constant death and agonizing wounds that will last their generation a life time.