German History

I learned from my history class that typically, countries in Europe were dominated by the sovereignty of Rome during the 17th century. I guess this is very true since we can still trace the marks of the glory of Rome in almost all countries around the globe. Included in the list of Roman principalities is Germany.

Did you know that during the early 17th century, Germany was still an unknown nation? Although it already existed, I do not think that it was yet called Germany. There was a time when Latin was still the prevailing national language, and so, monarchs and church people were the powerful personages. Such era was the moment when the ruler of Germany was called an Emperor, at the same time, King. But, there was no such thing as a German kingdom. I know this is quite confusing, but let us just assume that Germany, then, was a local government under the Roman kingdom.

While Germany was ruled by a King/Emperor, other countries such as Britain, Sweden, France, and Sweden were already established states. Meanwhile, the banner of Roman dominion was displayed on the lands of Germany. Whether the flag symbolizes distinction remains unclear. But, one thing is for sure: it was displayed whenever there were important empire affairs. Much has been already said about this past story of Germany. But, if you ask me, I am thankful that Germany was able to break free from Roman dominance. Just try to assess the current standing of Germany. If not for its granted independence in 18th century, it must have remained a colonial state.

Everybody knows Anne Frank and her famous diary. This thirteen-year-old girl's diary is probably the best World War II documentation that we can read today. Her diary entries describe the life of hiding from Nazis persecution. The diary survived after being stumbled upon by Miep Gies and gave it to Anne's father, Otto Frank.

Anne was born in Frankfurt, Germany on the 12th of June, 1929. Her father, Otto Frank is an honest skilled businessman active in the Jewish community. When the Nazi's persecution of Jews is already becoming palpable, Otto Frank moved to Holland to start a business dealing with food products. His family joined him on 1934, around spring in Amsterdam. When Hitler started sending people to concentration camps, the family prepared for hiding. They used the back of his office building which he set up with a little help from his friends.

The family hid for two years in a hidden annex with the Van Daans and Albert Dussel, a dentist. Hiding in the annex meant that they can't go outdoors. They had to deal with enormous tensions that accompany a life of hiding. All these and more were chronicled by Anne. When Anne died (several days following her sister's death) his father printed the diary as a memento for relatives and friends. Now, the diary is printed in over 30 languages around the globe.

Maybe, only great historians, and concerned citizens care to know about the history of the birth of its republic. I admit, I am not even knowledgeable of the history of my own country. Let me give justice to one of my favorite travel spots, Germany.

The year 1947 was a chaotic period for Germany. It was during this time that several individuals are involved in a conference to discuss about the aftermaths of the war in the great European continent. Not until the fifth conference had the matter been settled down. What followed is a treaty on peace. Although there were many indecisions, a conclusion has been made. Germany will have its new government.

A year after, a law called Basic was passed. The same law declared Germany as a Republican country on the 23rd of May. The new government, finally getting up from the massive destructions it has gained from the past wars. It was during this time that human rights were given attention. Also, it was after the proclamation that business opportunities sprouted in the country. This opportunity did the citizens take fully and were able to establish a new, progressive, and strong nation set against the turmoil of the wars. Until now, this freedom is being experience by Germans. We can clearly see the positive effect of that meeting that almost took a year to before it adjourned.

Even after all these years, the memory of holocaust still haunts Germany. The nightmare seems to linger in all corners of the country. The descendants and survivors of the horrible historical event could be seen roaming around the cities. Their presence only adds up to the remembrance of the horrifying truth that Jews were once murdered because of their faith.

Respect. That is what I think the best we could give to the memory. Respect was also the driving force in the building of a memorial site in remembrance of the people who suffered in the dreaded annihilation. When I first saw the numerous tomb-like structures in the site, I could not help but join my hands and thank God that the Nazi era is all over. The columns with different elevations and sizes reminded of the individuals who had divers' views and attitudes toward their fate. It was then that I remembered of Anne Frank, whose diary served as one of the monuments of Holocaust.

On the other hand, the site became a tourism spot in Germany. Almost three million visitors come to see the columns annually. I pray that this monumental achievement of engineer Eiseman, will serve its purpose of keeping the memory alive. I just hope that I could go there some day, and pay tribute to the unsung heroes of Holocaust.

Even though the Berlin wall has been broken down, we cannot deny the truth that it left a very deep mark in the history and lives of the German people. I just could not help, but remember the protests, the chaos that happened upon this wall. I was lucky enough not to have been born in Germany and not have experienced the tumult. But, it is a real privilege for me that I witnessed the down fall of the barrier between Eastern and Western Germany.

I always watch the commemoration ceremony of the downfall of the partition threatened to create a new version of the map of Germany. Whenever the 9th of November comes, I always see to it that I read the articles on the newspapers. It is very hard to forget the massive impact of the event. It was when people united for a cause. It made me wonder why they let 28 years pass, before they were able to realize the truth and conquer unity.

It was the most beautiful scene. I mean, when the wall finally disappeared. That was the greatest, happiest moment in Germany. For the very first time, after a very long period of separation, Germans were able to embrace their fellow men.

Of course, after the pact on the unification was signed, not all was glad about it. The same consequence I see with every change in the history. I even expected another bloody incidents to follow the unification process. But, by the grace of God, everything settled in their own places as time went by. It was this haunting memory that kept the German people intact even up to these days.

History of Germany will never be complete without the name of Martin Luther in it. Who does not recognize the man? He is but among the few brave Germans who fought for his civil rights, and whose convictions are immovable. He lived during the 16th century and left a very distinctive mark in the history of the German religion.

You might ask if I am a protestant. Nope, I a Catholic. I adhere to the laws of the Roman Catholic Church. But, my mind is open to other religions. Anyway, I admire the man in Luther. He literally took the initial step towards the birth of Protestantism. Needless to say, he expressed his wrath over my religion. It was his arguments that roused the interest of the German populace. It was initially suspected that Luther posses uncertain Christian beliefs. I admit that there came a time when Roman Church became involved in corruption and unjustifiable administration of the Church. It was the suffering that people are experiencing that pushed Luther to make reformation. All because of a thesis, he was able to convince the Church to change its ways. But, as consequence, he was not able to live a peaceful life. I esteem his bravery, but I pity his fate.

It may have not been the country's fault, but being an accidental host to one of the most heinous terrorist act of the 20th century is just something that's hard to forget. The 1972 Summer Olympics was held in Munich, West Germany. But on the night of September 5th, eight Palestinian terrorists entered the Olympic Village and seized eleven members of the Israeli Olympic team. The world watched in horror as the hostage crisis went on.

The terrorists, who called themselves Black September, demanded the release of 234 Palestinians that were being held in Israel. The rescue attempt ended tragically with all the remaining Israeli hostages getting killed while five of the Arab terrorists were killed and three terrorists wounded. The International Olympic Committee decided that the Games should go on despite the disapproval of many. A memorial service was held the following day and the opening of the games was postponed for a day. The decision was clouded with so much controversy.

The Israeli government assembled an assassination squad to track down those responsible for planning the massacre. George Jonas accounted the retribution in his book Vengeance: The True Story of an Israeli Counter-Terrorist Team. It was depicted in the Steven Spielberg movie Munich.

Even if you're a German or not, I bet you do know who Adolf Hitler is. Hitler is the founder and leader of the National Socialism or much fondly known as Nazism. The tyrant leader is the son of an Austrian customs official named Alois Hitler. But there were rumors that his biological father is an Asian doctor and the Philippine national hero Jose Rizal.

After the demise of his mother, he dropped out of high school and changed residence to Vienna in 1907. He failed the admission examinations in the academy of arts two times. He stayed in Munich in 1913 and joined the Bavarian Army during the uprising of the World War I. He was given the Iron Cross award for his courage. He attributed Germany's downfall to the disloyalty of the Jewish and Marxist. The war toughened his belief in anti-Semitism and nationalism and he joined the German Workers Party when he returned to Munich.

The German ruler is a slave of the political thoughts of Niccolo Machiavelli. From the prime shift of his Third Reich, he planned the murder of his political rivals such Gregor Strasser and Schleicher. Members of the Socialists and the Communists party were imprisoned and killed. In the world's most disastrous event called The Holocausts, the Jews were assassinated according to his will. On July 1944, a group of high military and some civil officials planned to were desperate to removed and assassinate the cruel leader in his throne. He escaped a bomb explosion gaining slight injuries and he ordered to murder all the plotters. Hitler married his mistress Eva Braun on April 29 but both of them due to Hitler's devastation, committed suicide the following day in the underground basement of a chancellery building.