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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