History 332 – German History – August 27, 2004

 “Was ist des Deutschen Vaterland?” (“What is the German Fatherland”?)

-          Arndt

 

 

I.                 The puzzle of IDENTITY

-          Psychological Necessity – coherent, continuing sense of “ME”

-          Immense psychic pain when “ME” is threatened (physical danger, disappointment, mockery)

-          Immense psychic joy when “ME” is honored

-          PERSONAL IDENTITY DIRECTLY LINED TO GROUP IDENTITY

-          GROUP IDENTITY – family, friends, city, region, religion, NATION

 

II.             GERMANY’S DRASTIC CHANGES

 

1990	Borders change – Reunification!
1945	Borders change – defeat, dismemberment, WEST/EAST GERMANY
1939-45	Borders change – Hitler conquers Europe
1919	Borders change – defeat after WWI
1871	Borders change – Bismarck unites divided Central Europe
1815	Borders change – end of Napoleonic Wars
1806	Borders change – Napoleon conquers central Europe; destroys ancient “Holy Roman Empire”

 

III.         What – then – does “German” mean?

 

Queens University of Charlotte   1900 Selwyn Ave.   Charlotte, NC 28274   phone 704 337-2200   fax 704 337-2403 Home  •   Site Map  •   Contact Webmaster Modified by:  R.  Whalen