Berlin's Incredibly Interesting History

Divided Berlin, ninaschmidt.ca

I’m just going to start off saying that I simply never knew that any part of Berlin was under Soviet control. I have no idea how I never knew that, after learning so much about history in general throughout the years, especially while taking AP European History and the like. I remember learning all about World War I and II. I also clearly recognize the Berlin Wall and the separation it brought to the people of Berlin. I’m guessing I never really looked deeper into the reason for the Wall and also the differences between the West and East sides of Berlin. Going deeper into the history throughout these videos, it’s easy to see why Communism and the like remained popular in Germany. Its ideas had come to fruition within the country and throughout history, Germany has always loved its philosophers. His thoughts and ideas were reminiscent of Frederick the Great - their first great ruler that was well liked for his interests in art and music. (However, in this example, explicitly due to the fondness of philosophy.) Red Berlin was a large part of their past that initially started the separation of people in the city in terms of politics and ideals. This division grew over time, reinforced by financial and political instability.

The capitalist West and the soviet East were so close to each other, yet so different in a number of various aspects. They each had their own ideas about great historical landmarks and procedures within their sides of the city. A lot of this was seen through the times in the buildings they tore down and reconstructed. Even buildings that were purposefully not reconstructed and instead, entirely replaced. While Germany stood as a city of improvement and industry throughout its history, a lot of the buildings have continued to stand as icons for the city’s times and events. Throughout the different eras and styles, old castles and modern-looking living spaces, I can’t help but compare the same idea of emotion and politics that take place with the buildings of Miami, Florida. It’s amazing to see the old buildings mixed with the new. The rustic, ancient design standing next to a bring, shining, modern hotel, for example.

TV Tower, classicfm.com

The futuristic TV Tower which could be seen across Berlin was a shining beacon of the future and progress. Bright Floridian colors like pastel blues and yellows discern the old buildings in Miami. The glass and metal structures and art forms across the city represent the new era of design that has taken hold. The constant reconstruction combined with the constant restoration brings a surprisingly beautiful combination in Miami. From the videos we watched, it will be incredibly interesting to see that same kind of beauty in the buildings in and around Berlin. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there’s something special about Berlin. Everyone who knows about it, seems to care about it. The people who live there, love it. It’s their home and they seem as though they would do anything for the city and the people within it, no matter what. At the same time, they all acknowledge themselves as part of the world. They have a strong sense of who they are, where they belong, and what they’re doing. They also know and acknowledge the history of Germany - good and bad. They make the best and most of it and show that they are still the city that was once seen as bright and futuristic. Rich in color and culture, the city of Berlin is incredibly unique and yet so easily associated to the rest of the humankind.

Berlin, theloftberlin.com

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Martin Luther

Martin Luther is one of the most important people in the history of Europe when it comes to influence, especially in terms of religion. He stood as a light of freedom and revolution against the darkness and corruption of the Catholic church. Indulgences and bribery were open and widespread for getting into the Church and for getting into Heaven. These issues and over 93 others were found and critiqued by Luther and shoved at the Church - not giving them a chance to refuse these complaints, but putting them in the hands of the Church and demanding the answers and reasons for their actions. This was something that had never been done in such a blunt and public manner.

His actions were unheard of and his writings were strongly worded in vulgar and rude language aimed towards the Church. They were intended to be this way, so that his ideas could be so clearly and unmistakably understood by everyone and anyone who listened to his teachings. This abrasive wording also gave his words the attention and popularity that he wanted it to have.

Diet of Worms, http://www.luther.de/

Without his eloquent way of writing, his issues with the Church would seem to be simple complaints. With his ways, they were items of a long list of all of the vile and atrocious actions that had taken place in the sacred halls of their most beloved and popular religion. Luther also stood up for his ideas and claimed them as his own - saying that he could not refuse them or recant them, simply because he utterly and truly believed in them (Diet of Worms). His actions, teachings, and writings were something that Europe had never seen before, and his overall dedication to his cause was nothing short of revolutionary.

Printing Press, http://3219a2.medialib.glogster.com/

Not only did he have revolutionary thoughts about religion, but he also had revolutionary ways of doing things. Luther was one of the first to take advantage of the newer technology of the time. Using the printing press, his teachings were distributed throughout Germany and Europe - all based out of Wittenberg. This provided him the outreach that he needed to call upon the rest of Europe to take notice of what was happening. The Church was finally being called upon to answer for the wrongs they had been doing. With so many people being able to access the writings and teachings of Luther, it was no wonder that such a large number of them also found fault with the Church.

Being as important as was to all of Europe, he had a special meaning to the people of Germany. Not only was his home there, he provided a great service to the people. Not only did his teachings end up showing them the wrongs of religion, but he gave them the power and knowledge to judge for themselves. He translated the Bible into German. This is nothing short of amazing on multiple fronts. Not only did it give them the logical ammunition to determine for themselves how they felt about religious teachings and rulings, but it also aided in education. The people learned to read, to reason, to think for themselves. All of this, due to Martin Luther.

German Bible, http://rarebiblesatmobia.files.wordpress.com/

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History of Germany: Germany's Divisions

Throughout Germany’s history, it has been seen and known as a collection of lands and peoples. At first, all very different and unique with separate identities. Cities and towns could be mere miles apart but seem completely different in terms of language, religion, culture, etc. As Schulze describes in Chapter 2, there was a divide between the empire of Germany during the Reformation. The Southwest area of Germany remained Catholic and joined in the Counter-Reformation culture of Southern Europe. In the Northeast, the Protestants stayed supportive of the ways of the Reformation. The difference kept them separate in many ways - including the cultural development within the empire. While Catholic Germany devoted their time to the arts of painting, sculpture, theater, and architecture, the Protestant Germany spent theirs furthering language, literature, and religiously-themed musical pieces. This separation of development further emphasized the parts of Germany and that they were indeed separated. Again, adding into the mixture of things that made Germany seem assembled instead of united.

Raphael's School of Athens

The divide between religions in Germany was happening all over Europe, and in later years, would develop the same way. The Renaissance was essentially along the same lines, with the North and South of Europe both putting their effort towards different endeavors. The North of Europe steered towards religious works and sculptures, while the South emphasized their classic mythological background through the same artistic outlets.

1986 by Thierry Noir at Bethaniendamm in Berlin-Kreuzberg

The division is also somewhat reminiscent of the later splitting of Germany after World War II. The building of the Berlin wall quite literally separated the city of Berlin between the East and West sides. The wall was for entirely different reasons regarding the separation of Fascist ideas from the West and the Eastern Bloc that was dedicated to creating a socialist state in Eastern Germany.

This seems to be an apparent theme within Germany and its history. Though originally a collection of smaller lands, it’s grown together over time, though strong separation still stands between the East and West. It is said many places that these separations are apparent in the lives and places of Germany.

I think it will be interesting (if possible) to see if this stands true - if there is a noticeable difference between the styles and cultures of western vs. eastern Germany. On the opposite side of this idea, I wonder what the strong similarities are between the two. This is in terms of the differences they once had that might have carried over to the other and vice-versa. It’s just something to think about I guess!

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