Durenberg Salt Mines:
What was the Durenburg Salt Mines? The Alps.
Why was salt found here? Rainwater washed salt into the river. The plates move closer together, causing the river to become more narrow. The water evaporates, leaving behind the salt. After some time, the salt and sand would mix together, causing salt to be found in the Alps.
How did the discovery of salt affect the region? Salt was known as 'white gold' in Germany. Salt was used to preserve food and for many other important uses. The country used the salt to earn money which boosted the economy greatly.
How was salt mining changed over time? In the past, simple tools were used and salt mining relied on manual work. Now, technology is used for salt mining as it is faster, more convenient and requires less manpower. One of the tools that is used in salt mining currently is the water pressure pump.
Touring Salzburg:
What are the major attractions in Salzburg? The Alps and the Mozart Museum.
Why are they interesting/significant? The Alps is interesting as just because of the movement of plates, a magnificent and beautiful mountain is formed. Furthermore, that mountain is not there just for display. It provided lots and lots of salt for the people in Salzburg - not just to be used in dishes and such, but also to boost Salzburg's economy. In Singapore, there are only hills, such as the Bukit Timah Hill. Some of us have never seen mountains before and it may be fascinating. Also, we don't see snow in Singapore due to its climate, thus, we get excited at seeing the snow at the Alps. The Alps is significant as it provides good scenery to tourists and the salt found there has helped Salzburg's economy a lot.
The Mozart Museum is interesting as all the artefacts there have been part of Mozart's life. It's displayed to let us know more about Mozart, not just as a music prodigy but as a person himself. We learn a little more about his family, what he felt about his paintings - Mozart often complained that his paintings made him look fatter and older, his background and etc. The Mozart Museum is also interesting as that area was the real birthplace of Mozart. There are also strange places in the museum - such as the room which all paintings were hung upside down and the captions of those paintings were also upside down. The Mozart Museum is significant as it is the birthplace of a very famous and accomplished composer cum musician that made a huge breakthrough in the world of classical music.
Additional Questions:
What did you find fascinating about the salt mine experience? I found the salt mine experience fascinating as I always felt that it was difficult to build a tunnel in the mountain and work there. However, the people in Salzburg did it, and they worked so hard, boosting their economy. I feel that their perseverance and hard work is something to be proud of. The whole salt mine experience was fascinating from start to end. Sitting on the tram in such a weird position into the mountain was a very new experience to most of us and it was really an enjoyable moment. The whole program was very organised. The videos they showed were informative yet entertaining, making it fun and also easy for us to absorb information. It is also fascinating as there was an escalator in the tunnel and that the temperature was kept at a constant of 10 degrees celcius. The slide was built so that the miners can easily travel deeper into the mountains and it was really fascinating as it was extremely fun and thrilling.
How has this visit/experience change your perspective about salt? We used to take salt for granted, but after this experience, it made me understand how tedious it is just to obtain salt. We didn't know that such a simple tool can be used to obtain such a wonderful treasure, which is essential to us until today in many different ways.
What were some interesting things you saw at the Mozart Museum? There was this particular room whereby all the paintings were hung upside down. We couldn't understand why such wonderful paintings were hung upside down. All the artworks were probably hung upside down to make the whole room another piece of art. In the room just before the souvenir shop, there were paintings of 3D art shown. The artwork shown there was awesome! At the Mozart Museum, I saw all the interesting letters that were written by or to Mozart.
What was your reaction when you saw the Alps? When we first saw the Alps, we were marvelled by it's size and how it looked. *o* WOW!!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
No. 3 Rise of Hitler and Nazi
What does Nazism represent?
Nazism is the German form of fascism, especially that of the National Socialist (German: Nazionalsozialist) Workers’ party under Adolf Hitler. Both fascism and Nazism reject ideologies like democracy, liberalism and Marxism. German Nazism, emphasized the Aryan race or “Volk” principle to the point where the state seemed to be simply a means to an end. Aryanism was not an attractive idea for Italians, who were not considered a Nordic population, but there was still strong racism and genocide in concentration camps in Italy, long before either was in place in Germany. Nazism employed a similar style of propaganda, including military parades and uniforms, and the Roman salute just like Fascism.
Explain Fascism.
The term 'Fascism' was first used by Benito Mussolini in 1919 which came from the Italian word 'fascio'.
Fascists advocate the creation of a single-party state, with the belief that the majority is unsuited to govern itself through democracy and by reaffirming the benefits of inequality. Fascist governments forbid and suppress openness and opposition to the fascist state and the fascist movement. Fascism opposes class conflict, blames capitalism and liberal democracies for its creation and communists for exploiting the concept. Fascism fashioned itself as the "Complete opposite of Marxian socialism" by rejecting the economic and material conception of history, the fundamental belief of fascism being that human beings are motivated by glory and heroism rather than economic motives, in contrast to the worldview of capitalism and socialism. Fascist valued the nation most hence, the Facist felt that all individuals and groups living in the same nation should put aside all differences and look after the needs of the nation first. Democracy is not well-liked by the Fascist as it limit the power of the nation. Fascism believe in having a strong leader whereby he/she could make decisions without going through the people or parliment.
Describe the rise of Hitler (the fascist movement – mid 1920s to early 1930s)
Death of Gustav Stresemann on 3 October 1929- Gustav Stresemann contributed a lot to Germany's stability and prosperity back then. His death made the Weimar Government lost a capable politician. Germany was very dependent on US loans on rebuilding the country and paying reparations. Added on to this, the |Great Depression in the USA on 29 October 1929 affected Germany greatly. Many businesses were forced to close causing millions of Germans to lose their job.
Hitler carry out several forms of activity in order to gain more support from the people. He used propaganda with the help of Joseph Goebbels by repeating simple messages many times to get people to believe what the Nazis told them. Nazis also bought the radio station and made the prices of radios cheap and installed radio loudspeakers in the public so whenever Hitler made speeches, orders were given to everyone to switch on their radio to listen. Hitler also carried out censorship whereby only publications could only be publish with the approval by Ministry of Propaganda. Hence, Germans have very limited range of things to read as almost all publications were bias. Nazis also used colorful rallies which gave an impression of power and unity to the public. This builds up a sense of security for the Germans as compared to when they are under the rule of the Weimar Government. Youths were also "brainwashed" by the government since young. At young age, the minds of the children are still shaping. If they were fed with fabricated informations of the Nazi Party and how good is Hitler, they will tend to grow up with the idea of it. When they grow up, they will be very loyal to the Party and also to Hitler, which garner many support for Hitler and hence bring about the rise of Hitler.
Explain the Beer Hall Putsch
The Beer Hall Putsch (also known as the Munich Putsch, but in German referred to as the Hitlerputsch or the Hitler-Ludendorff-Putsch) was a failed attempt at revolution that occurred between the evening of 8 November and the early afternoon of 9 November 1923, when Nazi Party leader Adolf Hitler,Generalquartiermeister Erich Ludendorff, and other heads of the Kampfbundunsuccessfully tried to seize power in Munich, Bavaria, and Germany. Putschis the German word for a punch, or blow.Hitler used the anger against the Berlin government in Bavaria as attempt to overthrow the regional government in Munich in prelude to the take-over of the national government. This incident is generally known as the Beer Hall Putsch.
Two days after the putsch, Hitler was arrested and charged with high treason. Hitler's trial began on 26 February 1924, and Hitler and Hess were both sentenced to five years in Festungshaft (literally fortress confinement) for treason. Festungshaft was a type of jail that excluded forced labor, featured reasonably comfortable cells, and allowed the prisoner to receive visitors almost daily for many hours. It was the customary sentence for people whom the judge believed to have had honourable but misguided motives. However, Hitler used the trails to spread his ideas. The judge was impressed by what he had said and decided to sentence a lighter sentence, Hitler only served a little over eight months and was fined 500RM.
Describe the rise of Hitler (consolidation of power – early 1930s to late 1930s)
February 1933 Reichstag fire- The Reichstag caught fire on 27 February 1933. The Nazis blamed the Communists for the fire even though many people think that the fire was set by the Nazis. Hitler therefore used this as an excuse to gain more power. He claimed that the country is in grave danger and asked for emergency powers to deal with the communist threat.
5 March 1933- The Nazis won the most number of seats in the Reichstag with 43.95% of votes (approx. 288 seats). They did not gain 2/3 of the majority, this made Hitler more determined to win a total control of the Reichstag.
23 March 1933- Hitler asked the Reichstag for even more powers, thus the Enabling Act was passed which gave Hitler dictatorial powers for 4 years. The Enabling Act allowed Hitler to ignore the Constitution, Reichstag and President. However in order to pass the Enabling Act, Hitler needed 2/3 majority of the Reichstag. With response to this, Hitler outlawed the Communist party and arrested his opponents to prevent them fro voting against his plan. Hitler achieved his aims and was granted the Enabling Act on 23 March 1933.
April 1933- Hitler used the Enabling Act to pass new laws whereby all members of other political parties are replaced with Nazi Officials.
May 1933- Hitler used the Enabling Act to ban all trade unions and reorganised it into a Nazi-controlled organisation, DAF. Social Democratic Party was dissolved too.
July 1933- Hitler used the Enabling Act to ban all other political parties. Germany hence become a country ruled by only one political party, the Nazi Party (led by Hitler). Hence, Hitler had the entire Germany within his control.
29&30 June 1934- Night of Long Knives. Hitler had Ernst Röhm, leader of SA and many other SA leaders arrested and executed of fear that their rising popularity among the Germans may overthrow Hitler. Thus, Hitler's possible rivlas are removed.
7 November 1938- A Polish Jew killed Ernst vom Rath, a low ranking official in France. Hitler used this as an excuse to organise a night of violence against the Jews in Germany. Jewish homes were ransacked and many Jews were attacked. More than 90 Jews and killed and approx. 30 000 were arrested and placed in concentration camps. This event removed one of Hitler's "eye sore".
CREDITS:
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Nazism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolf_Hitler's_rise_to_power
http://www.nazism.net
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/beer_hall_putsch_of_1923.htm
history textbook: Crisis and Conflict
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
1)
1914
July 31
Germany enjoins Russia to stop mobilizing. Russia says mobilization is against Austria-Hungary only.
August 1
Germany declares war on Russia and mobilizes.
Germany and the Ottoman Empire sign a secret alliance treaty.
August 2
Germany invades Luxembourg.
August 3Belgium refuses German ultimatum.
Germany declares war on France.
German troops enter Russia.
August 4
Germany invades Belgium to outflank the French army.
Britain protests the violation of Belgian neutrality, guaranteed by a treaty;
German Chancellor replies that the treaty is just a chiffon de papier The United Kingdom declares war on Germany.
August 5–August 16
The Germans besiege and then capture the fortresses of Liège, Belgium.
August 6
Serbia declares war on Germany.
August 9
Montenegro declares war on Germany.
August 14–August 24
Battle of the Frontiers. The Germans obtain a victory against the British Expeditionary Force and France's Fifth Army.
August 20
The Germans attack the Russians in East Prussia. The attack is a failure in addition to being a violation of the Schlieffen Plan.
August 17–September 2
Battle of Tannenberg: the Russian army undergoes a heavy defeat by the Germans.
August 20The Germans occupy Brussels.
August 23Japan declares war on Germany.
August 24–September 7
The Germans siege and capture the Maubeuge Fortress.
August 26
British and French forces invade Togoland, a German protectorate in West Africa.
August 26–September 11
Battle of Lemberg. The Russians capture Lviv.
August 30
New Zealand occupies German Samoa (later Western Samoa).
September 5–September 12
First Battle of the Marne. The German advance on Paris is halted, marking the failure of the Schlieffen Plan.
.September 9
Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg lays out Germany's war aims.
September 11–September 21
Australian forces occupy German New Guinea.
September 13
Troops from South Africa begin invading German South-West Africa.
September 14
Erich von Falkenhayn replaces Helmuth von Moltke the Younger as German Chief of Staff.
September 28–October 10
The Germans siege and capture Antwerp, Belgium.
September 29–October 31
Battle of the Vistula, aka Battle of Warsaw.
October 16–October 31
Battle of the Yser. French and Belgian forces secure the coastline of Belgium.
October 19–November 22
The First Battle of Ypres ends the Race to the Sea. The Germans are prevented from reaching Calais and Dunkirk.
November 1
Von Spee's German cruiser squadron defeats a Royal Navy squadron under Christopher Cradock.
November 2
The United Kingdom begins the naval blockade of Germany.
November 3–November 5
Von Lettow-Vorbeck's German colonial forces defeat the British at the Battle of Tanga, German East Africa.
November 9
Battle of Cocos, northeast Indian Ocean.
The Australian cruiser Sydney destroys the German cruiser Emden.
December 8
Battle of the Falklands. Von Spee's German cruiser squadron is defeated by the Royal Navy.
December 16
The German fleet shells Scarborough and Hartlepool, England.
December 24-December 25
An unofficial Christmas truce is declared between large numbers of German and French forces.
1915
January 24
Battle of Dogger Bank between squadrons of the British Grand Fleet and the German Hochseeflotte.
February 4
Germany begins submarine warfare against merchant vessels.
February 7–February 22
Second Battle of the Masurian Lakes. The Russian X Army is defeated.
April 22–May 25
At the Second Battle of Ypres, the Germans use chemical weapons (gas) for the first time.
May 1–May 3
Battle of Gorlice-Tarnów: the German troops under General Mackensen break through the Russian lines in Galicia.
May 7
The British liner Lusitania is sunk by a German U-boat.
May 12
Windhoek, capital of German South-West Africa, is occupied by South African troops.
July 9
The German forces in South-West Africa surrender.
August 5
The Germans occupy Warsaw.
September 1
Germany suspends unrestricted submarine warfare.
September 19
The Germans occupy Vilnius. The Gorlice-Tarnów Offensive ends.
October 6
Serbia is invaded by Germany, Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria.
1916
January 24
Reinhard Scheer is appointed commander of Germany's Hochseeflotte.
.
February 28
German Kamerun (Cameroon) surrenders.
March 1
Germany resumes unrestricted submarine warfare.
May 10
Germany suspends unrestricted submarine warfare.
May 31–June 1
Battle of Jutland between Britain's Grand Fleet and Germany's Hochseeflotte.
June 4
The Brusilov Offensive begins.
July 1
The Battle of the Somme begins.
July 14
Battles for Longueval and Delville Wood (Initial phase of the Battle of the Somme)
Battle of Bazentin Ridge (Initial phase of the Battle of the Somme)
July 23–August 7
Battle of Pozières (Initial phase of the Battle of the Somme)
August 18–September 5
Battle of Guillemont (intermediate phase of the Battle of the Somme)
August 27
Italy declares war on Germany.Romania enters the war on the Entente's side. Her army is defeated in a few weeks.
August 29
Paul von Hindenburg replaces Erich von Falkenhayn as German Chief of Staff.
September 6
The Central Powers create a unified command.
September 9
Battle of Ginchy (intermediate phase of the Battle of the Somme)
.
September 15
Battle of Flers-Courcelette (last offensive of the Battle of the Somme). The British use armored tanks for the first time in history.
September 20
The Brusilov Offensive ends with a substantial Russian success.
September 25
Battle of Morval (part of the final stages of the Battle of the Somme)
September 26–September 28
Battle of Thiepval Ridge (part of the final stages of the Battle of the Somme)
October 1–November 5
Battle of Le Transloy (part of the final stages of the Battle of the Somme)
November 13–November 15
Battle of the Ancre (closing phase of the Battle of the Somme)
November 18
The Battle of the Somme ends with enormous casualties and no winner.
November 21
HMHS Britannic sinks because of a German mine. Francis Joseph I, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary, dies and is succeeded by Charles I.
December 6
The Germans occupy Bucharest. The capital of Romania moved to Iaşi.
1917
.
January 16
The German Foreign Secretary Arthur Zimmermann sends a telegram to his ambassador in Mexico, instructing him to propose the Mexican government an alliance against the United States.
February 1
Germany resumes unrestricted submarine warfare.
February 23
Second Battle of Kut. The British recapture the city.
February 23–April 5
The Germans withdraw to the Hindenburg Line.
April 6The United States of America declares war on Germany.
May 9–May 16
Battle of Arras. The British attack a heavily fortified German line without obtaining any strategic breakthrough.
July 31
The Battle of Passchendaele (aka Third Battle of Ypres) begins
October 24–November 4
Battle of Caporetto. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans break through the Italian lines. The Italian army is defeated and falls back on the Piave River.
November 9–December 28
First Battle of the Piave: the Austro-Hungarians and Germans try unsuccessfully to cross the river.
November 10
The Battle of Passchendaele (aka Third Battle of Ypres) ends in a stalemate.
December 23Russia signs an armistice with Germany.
1918
February 25
German troops capture Estonia.
March 3
At Brest-Litovsk, Leon Trotsky signs the peace treaty with Germany.
March 21–March 25
First phase of the Spring Offensive (Operation Michael). The Germans obtain a Pyrrhic victory.
May 27–June 6
Third Battle of the Aisne (aka Operation Blücher-Yorck, third phase of the Spring Offensive). After initial gains, the German advance is halted.
June 9–June 12
Final phase of the Spring Offensive (Operation Gneiseau). Although substantial territorial gains, the Germans do not achieve their strategic goals
July 15–August 5
Second Battle of the Marne and last German offensive on the Western Front, which fails when the Germans are counterattacked by the French.
September 18–October 10
Battle of the Hindenburg Line, a phase of the Hundred Days Offensive. The Allies break through the German lines.
October 20
Germany suspends submarine warfare.
October 29
Germany's Hochseeflotte mutinies.
November 9
Germany: Kaiser William II abdicates; republic proclaimed.
November 11
At 6 am, Germany signs the Armistice of Compiègne. End of fighting at 11 a.m..
November 14
Czechoslovakia proclaimed a republic. German U-boats interned. 3 days after the armistice, fighting ends in the East African theater when General von Lettow-Vorbeck agrees a cease-fire on hearing of Germany's surrender.
November 21
Germany's Hochseeflotte surrendered to the United Kingdom.
November 22
The Germans evacuate Luxembourg.
November 23
9 days after agreeing a cease-fire, General von Lettow-Vorbeck formally surrenders his undefeated army at Abercorn in present-day Zambia.
November 27
The Germans evacuate Belgium.
CREDITS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I_timeline
1914
July 31
Germany enjoins Russia to stop mobilizing. Russia says mobilization is against Austria-Hungary only.
August 1
Germany declares war on Russia and mobilizes.
Germany and the Ottoman Empire sign a secret alliance treaty.
August 2
Germany invades Luxembourg.
August 3Belgium refuses German ultimatum.
Germany declares war on France.
German troops enter Russia.
August 4
Germany invades Belgium to outflank the French army.
Britain protests the violation of Belgian neutrality, guaranteed by a treaty;
German Chancellor replies that the treaty is just a chiffon de papier The United Kingdom declares war on Germany.
August 5–August 16
The Germans besiege and then capture the fortresses of Liège, Belgium.
August 6
Serbia declares war on Germany.
August 9
Montenegro declares war on Germany.
August 14–August 24
Battle of the Frontiers. The Germans obtain a victory against the British Expeditionary Force and France's Fifth Army.
August 20
The Germans attack the Russians in East Prussia. The attack is a failure in addition to being a violation of the Schlieffen Plan.
August 17–September 2
Battle of Tannenberg: the Russian army undergoes a heavy defeat by the Germans.
August 20The Germans occupy Brussels.
August 23Japan declares war on Germany.
August 24–September 7
The Germans siege and capture the Maubeuge Fortress.
August 26
British and French forces invade Togoland, a German protectorate in West Africa.
August 26–September 11
Battle of Lemberg. The Russians capture Lviv.
August 30
New Zealand occupies German Samoa (later Western Samoa).
September 5–September 12
First Battle of the Marne. The German advance on Paris is halted, marking the failure of the Schlieffen Plan.
.September 9
Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg lays out Germany's war aims.
September 11–September 21
Australian forces occupy German New Guinea.
September 13
Troops from South Africa begin invading German South-West Africa.
September 14
Erich von Falkenhayn replaces Helmuth von Moltke the Younger as German Chief of Staff.
September 28–October 10
The Germans siege and capture Antwerp, Belgium.
September 29–October 31
Battle of the Vistula, aka Battle of Warsaw.
October 16–October 31
Battle of the Yser. French and Belgian forces secure the coastline of Belgium.
October 19–November 22
The First Battle of Ypres ends the Race to the Sea. The Germans are prevented from reaching Calais and Dunkirk.
November 1
Von Spee's German cruiser squadron defeats a Royal Navy squadron under Christopher Cradock.
November 2
The United Kingdom begins the naval blockade of Germany.
November 3–November 5
Von Lettow-Vorbeck's German colonial forces defeat the British at the Battle of Tanga, German East Africa.
November 9
Battle of Cocos, northeast Indian Ocean.
The Australian cruiser Sydney destroys the German cruiser Emden.
December 8
Battle of the Falklands. Von Spee's German cruiser squadron is defeated by the Royal Navy.
December 16
The German fleet shells Scarborough and Hartlepool, England.
December 24-December 25
An unofficial Christmas truce is declared between large numbers of German and French forces.
1915
January 24
Battle of Dogger Bank between squadrons of the British Grand Fleet and the German Hochseeflotte.
February 4
Germany begins submarine warfare against merchant vessels.
February 7–February 22
Second Battle of the Masurian Lakes. The Russian X Army is defeated.
April 22–May 25
At the Second Battle of Ypres, the Germans use chemical weapons (gas) for the first time.
May 1–May 3
Battle of Gorlice-Tarnów: the German troops under General Mackensen break through the Russian lines in Galicia.
May 7
The British liner Lusitania is sunk by a German U-boat.
May 12
Windhoek, capital of German South-West Africa, is occupied by South African troops.
July 9
The German forces in South-West Africa surrender.
August 5
The Germans occupy Warsaw.
September 1
Germany suspends unrestricted submarine warfare.
September 19
The Germans occupy Vilnius. The Gorlice-Tarnów Offensive ends.
October 6
Serbia is invaded by Germany, Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria.
1916
January 24
Reinhard Scheer is appointed commander of Germany's Hochseeflotte.
.
February 28
German Kamerun (Cameroon) surrenders.
March 1
Germany resumes unrestricted submarine warfare.
May 10
Germany suspends unrestricted submarine warfare.
May 31–June 1
Battle of Jutland between Britain's Grand Fleet and Germany's Hochseeflotte.
June 4
The Brusilov Offensive begins.
July 1
The Battle of the Somme begins.
July 14
Battles for Longueval and Delville Wood (Initial phase of the Battle of the Somme)
Battle of Bazentin Ridge (Initial phase of the Battle of the Somme)
July 23–August 7
Battle of Pozières (Initial phase of the Battle of the Somme)
August 18–September 5
Battle of Guillemont (intermediate phase of the Battle of the Somme)
August 27
Italy declares war on Germany.Romania enters the war on the Entente's side. Her army is defeated in a few weeks.
August 29
Paul von Hindenburg replaces Erich von Falkenhayn as German Chief of Staff.
September 6
The Central Powers create a unified command.
September 9
Battle of Ginchy (intermediate phase of the Battle of the Somme)
.
September 15
Battle of Flers-Courcelette (last offensive of the Battle of the Somme). The British use armored tanks for the first time in history.
September 20
The Brusilov Offensive ends with a substantial Russian success.
September 25
Battle of Morval (part of the final stages of the Battle of the Somme)
September 26–September 28
Battle of Thiepval Ridge (part of the final stages of the Battle of the Somme)
October 1–November 5
Battle of Le Transloy (part of the final stages of the Battle of the Somme)
November 13–November 15
Battle of the Ancre (closing phase of the Battle of the Somme)
November 18
The Battle of the Somme ends with enormous casualties and no winner.
November 21
HMHS Britannic sinks because of a German mine. Francis Joseph I, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary, dies and is succeeded by Charles I.
December 6
The Germans occupy Bucharest. The capital of Romania moved to Iaşi.
1917
.
January 16
The German Foreign Secretary Arthur Zimmermann sends a telegram to his ambassador in Mexico, instructing him to propose the Mexican government an alliance against the United States.
February 1
Germany resumes unrestricted submarine warfare.
February 23
Second Battle of Kut. The British recapture the city.
February 23–April 5
The Germans withdraw to the Hindenburg Line.
April 6The United States of America declares war on Germany.
May 9–May 16
Battle of Arras. The British attack a heavily fortified German line without obtaining any strategic breakthrough.
July 31
The Battle of Passchendaele (aka Third Battle of Ypres) begins
October 24–November 4
Battle of Caporetto. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans break through the Italian lines. The Italian army is defeated and falls back on the Piave River.
November 9–December 28
First Battle of the Piave: the Austro-Hungarians and Germans try unsuccessfully to cross the river.
November 10
The Battle of Passchendaele (aka Third Battle of Ypres) ends in a stalemate.
December 23Russia signs an armistice with Germany.
1918
February 25
German troops capture Estonia.
March 3
At Brest-Litovsk, Leon Trotsky signs the peace treaty with Germany.
March 21–March 25
First phase of the Spring Offensive (Operation Michael). The Germans obtain a Pyrrhic victory.
May 27–June 6
Third Battle of the Aisne (aka Operation Blücher-Yorck, third phase of the Spring Offensive). After initial gains, the German advance is halted.
June 9–June 12
Final phase of the Spring Offensive (Operation Gneiseau). Although substantial territorial gains, the Germans do not achieve their strategic goals
July 15–August 5
Second Battle of the Marne and last German offensive on the Western Front, which fails when the Germans are counterattacked by the French.
September 18–October 10
Battle of the Hindenburg Line, a phase of the Hundred Days Offensive. The Allies break through the German lines.
October 20
Germany suspends submarine warfare.
October 29
Germany's Hochseeflotte mutinies.
November 9
Germany: Kaiser William II abdicates; republic proclaimed.
November 11
At 6 am, Germany signs the Armistice of Compiègne. End of fighting at 11 a.m..
November 14
Czechoslovakia proclaimed a republic. German U-boats interned. 3 days after the armistice, fighting ends in the East African theater when General von Lettow-Vorbeck agrees a cease-fire on hearing of Germany's surrender.
November 21
Germany's Hochseeflotte surrendered to the United Kingdom.
November 22
The Germans evacuate Luxembourg.
November 23
9 days after agreeing a cease-fire, General von Lettow-Vorbeck formally surrenders his undefeated army at Abercorn in present-day Zambia.
November 27
The Germans evacuate Belgium.
CREDITS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I_timeline
3) What are the major physical features and formations in Germany?
The diversity of Germany's natural landscapes reflects and mirrors the physical variety of Central Europe as a whole. It consists of four major physical regions:
1. The North German Lowlands, part of the North European Plain and made up geologically of Quarternary deposits.
2. The Central German Uplands, part of the Central European Hills, predominantly consisting of Paleozoic and Mesozoic geological formations .
3. The Foothills of the Alps, consisting of glacial deposits and hence geologically similar to the North German Lowlands.
4. The South German High Mountains, upliftet and folded Mesozoic and Tertiary deposits, geologically part of the outer ranges of the Alps.
The North German Lowlands were formed during the Pleistocene period by glaciers from different glaciation periods. As a consequence, glacial features, such as end or ground moraines, glacial lakes, sanders etc. represent the most typical landscapes in this part of the country. The shoreline of the Baltic Sea is a very typical example of a coast shaped by the ice, where moving ice lobes have eroded deep channels into the ground. These channels filled with salt water after the retreat of the ice due to the rising sea level and became much later the ideal locations for harbour cities. More to the east, the ground moraines were partly submerged by the rising sea, leaving behind numerous islands The North Sea, on the other hand, is built of marshland with a great number of islands just beyond the coastline. These islands [2] and the coastline itself are permanently threatened by the tides and by sea currents and need constantly to be protected. For hundreds of years dykes have been built to achieve this protection, but even in the more recent history there have been dramatic land losses. For land conservation purposes, this coastal region, including the islands, was declared a national park in the mid 1980s.
The landscape of the North German Lowlands varies according to the glaciation periods in which they were formed. The end moraines formed at this time were built up as high as 179 m. Another glacial feature is the many lakes of Schleswig-Holstein and of Mecklenburg which represent an important natural resource for the development of tourism in these regions. The soils of the northern plains are mainly produced from parent materials derived from glacial deposits. Depending on whether they are more sandy (podzols) or clayish, they are of different value for agricultural use. Especially in the north-western parts, where vast areas are being covered by marshland and swamps, agricultural use is widely limited to dairy farming. The southern fringe of the North German Uplands, however, is one of the richest agricultural zones in the whole country. This is mainly due to the loess deposits that allow intensive use for crop and sugar beet growing. The Magdeburger Börde and the Leipziger Bucht are particularly renown for their high soil fertiliy.
The Central German Uplands have a highly fragmented geological and morphological structure. Their extension reaches from the loess belt in the North to the Danube river (Donau) in the South, covering almost half of the country. The western and the eastern peripheries are part of old Paleozoic mountain ranges, stretching from the Massif Central in France to the Holy Cross Mountains in Poland. The Rhenish Uplands (Rheinisches Schiefergebirge) in the West are mainly renown for their rich coal and ore bodies. In contrast, the Black Forest (Schwarzwald) in the southwestern corner of the country has a high reputation as a tourist region. The Harz, the Thuringian Forest (Thüringer Wald), the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge) and the Bavarian Forest (Bayerischer Wald) in the east also belong to these old massifs. Especially the Harz and the Ore Mountains are rich in mineral resources, which were an important economic factor for these regions in the past.
The old massifs contour the Mesozoic uplands, which stretch from the Weserbergland in the North to the Danube in the South. They are mainly made up of the debris from the older massifs and/or from marine or lacustrine deposits which have buried the older rocks. The landscape is much more marked by widely spanned plateaus and cuestas. Especially the southwestern part of the country, where several cuestas succeed each other, is very distinctively marked by such a landscape. Historically, this poor quality sandstone has been blamed as being the "cause of misfortune" of the Hessian people.
In the southwestern part of the Central German Uplands, the Upper Rhine Valley represents a special feature with particular tectonic interest. The 35 to 40 km wide and some 300 km long valley separates Germany from its neighbours to the west (since ancient times). Two famous old roads run trough it: the "Bergstrasse", called strata montana in Roman times, and the "Weinstrasse" (vinery road), famous for its excellent vineyards. The most important volcanic massif of Germany is the Vogelsberg in central Hesse. A special landscape feature is the Thuringian Basin (Thüringer Becken), an extended lowland formed by tectonic activities of Tertiary age, but now covered by rich soils.
The South German High Mountains, together with their foothills, are part of a greater mountain range, the Alps, which extends to the neighbouring countries (France, Switzerland, Austria). South of the Danube river are found mainly glacial, fluvial, and lacustrine debris of different time periods which form the so-called "Schotterplatten", which are mostly flat lands with fair agriculture. They are overlaid to the south by deposits from the Würm glaciation period (most recent period. Germany's portion of the Alps is very little. They are barely reaching into German territory. Germany's highest point is the Zugspitze in the so-called Bayerische Alpen (2,963 m) [7].
4) What are the different natural vegetations in Germany?
The largest share of Germany's forests is characterized by a mixture of broadleaf and needleleaf trees. The most common species are oaks, maple and elms in the lowland areas, whereas beeches, pines and firs predominate in higher altitudes. Most broadleaf trees drop their leaves in the fall to retard loss of the moisture in the dormant period. According to Poulsen (1997, 65), this is quite likely to have happened due to the elimination of many species during the glacial periods. Another reason is the alteration of the vegetation by human activities for more than 5,000 years. Without this influence, more than 80 % of the Central European landmass would still be covered by forests. But human expansion has retreated the margins to today's limits. Moreover, today's forests reflect selective forestry practices which have been exercised for hundreds of years. Thus some species have been reduced if not eliminated. In some areas, new species have been introduced without always matching them to the ecological environment. A major present concern is the damage to German forests [6] (only available in German) due to air pollution. Especially in the eastern parts of the country. One of the main reasons for this was the high emission of pollutants [8] from industrial plants during GDR times. After the opening of the border, immediate steps were undertaken, to reduce this environmental threat. The result has been a considerable decrease of sulphur dioxide emission.
Soils are vegetation, a product of the climate, but at the same time they reflect the nature of the parent rock on which they have developed. Especially in the Northern Lowlands poorly drained, podzolic soils are dominant. Outside the glaciated regions, soils contain greater amounts of organic materials and are less leached of minerals. This is the most typical soil in Germany with generally fair farming conditions because of the relatively high components of incorporated fixed nitrogen and other nutrients. By far the best soils have developed on the loess sediments of the North German "Börde" (the transition zone between the North German Lowlands and the Central German Uplands) and in most of the geological basins. Rich in organic materials and due to the moderate rainfalls they are somewhat similar to chernozem soils.
The water bodies of Germany are intimately intertwined with human occupation, be it the North and/or the Baltic Sea, or the navigable rivers [9], which have always been important trade routes and means of access to the country. Most rivers like the Rhine (Rhein), Weser, Elbe and Odra (Oder) have their watersheds drain towards the north, whereas the Danube (Donau) is one of the important rivers that drains into the Black Sea. Interconnections through canals to other important waterways [10] such as the Danube, make it even on a European scale an important factor of communication and transportation. On top of this, the Rhine valley [11] especially between Mainz and Bonn is admittedly one of the most scenic river passages of the whole continent and thus of very high tourist value.
The diversity of Germany's natural landscapes reflects and mirrors the physical variety of Central Europe as a whole. It consists of four major physical regions:
1. The North German Lowlands, part of the North European Plain and made up geologically of Quarternary deposits.
2. The Central German Uplands, part of the Central European Hills, predominantly consisting of Paleozoic and Mesozoic geological formations .
3. The Foothills of the Alps, consisting of glacial deposits and hence geologically similar to the North German Lowlands.
4. The South German High Mountains, upliftet and folded Mesozoic and Tertiary deposits, geologically part of the outer ranges of the Alps.
The North German Lowlands were formed during the Pleistocene period by glaciers from different glaciation periods. As a consequence, glacial features, such as end or ground moraines, glacial lakes, sanders etc. represent the most typical landscapes in this part of the country. The shoreline of the Baltic Sea is a very typical example of a coast shaped by the ice, where moving ice lobes have eroded deep channels into the ground. These channels filled with salt water after the retreat of the ice due to the rising sea level and became much later the ideal locations for harbour cities. More to the east, the ground moraines were partly submerged by the rising sea, leaving behind numerous islands The North Sea, on the other hand, is built of marshland with a great number of islands just beyond the coastline. These islands [2] and the coastline itself are permanently threatened by the tides and by sea currents and need constantly to be protected. For hundreds of years dykes have been built to achieve this protection, but even in the more recent history there have been dramatic land losses. For land conservation purposes, this coastal region, including the islands, was declared a national park in the mid 1980s.
The landscape of the North German Lowlands varies according to the glaciation periods in which they were formed. The end moraines formed at this time were built up as high as 179 m. Another glacial feature is the many lakes of Schleswig-Holstein and of Mecklenburg which represent an important natural resource for the development of tourism in these regions. The soils of the northern plains are mainly produced from parent materials derived from glacial deposits. Depending on whether they are more sandy (podzols) or clayish, they are of different value for agricultural use. Especially in the north-western parts, where vast areas are being covered by marshland and swamps, agricultural use is widely limited to dairy farming. The southern fringe of the North German Uplands, however, is one of the richest agricultural zones in the whole country. This is mainly due to the loess deposits that allow intensive use for crop and sugar beet growing. The Magdeburger Börde and the Leipziger Bucht are particularly renown for their high soil fertiliy.
The Central German Uplands have a highly fragmented geological and morphological structure. Their extension reaches from the loess belt in the North to the Danube river (Donau) in the South, covering almost half of the country. The western and the eastern peripheries are part of old Paleozoic mountain ranges, stretching from the Massif Central in France to the Holy Cross Mountains in Poland. The Rhenish Uplands (Rheinisches Schiefergebirge) in the West are mainly renown for their rich coal and ore bodies. In contrast, the Black Forest (Schwarzwald) in the southwestern corner of the country has a high reputation as a tourist region. The Harz, the Thuringian Forest (Thüringer Wald), the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge) and the Bavarian Forest (Bayerischer Wald) in the east also belong to these old massifs. Especially the Harz and the Ore Mountains are rich in mineral resources, which were an important economic factor for these regions in the past.
The old massifs contour the Mesozoic uplands, which stretch from the Weserbergland in the North to the Danube in the South. They are mainly made up of the debris from the older massifs and/or from marine or lacustrine deposits which have buried the older rocks. The landscape is much more marked by widely spanned plateaus and cuestas. Especially the southwestern part of the country, where several cuestas succeed each other, is very distinctively marked by such a landscape. Historically, this poor quality sandstone has been blamed as being the "cause of misfortune" of the Hessian people.
In the southwestern part of the Central German Uplands, the Upper Rhine Valley represents a special feature with particular tectonic interest. The 35 to 40 km wide and some 300 km long valley separates Germany from its neighbours to the west (since ancient times). Two famous old roads run trough it: the "Bergstrasse", called strata montana in Roman times, and the "Weinstrasse" (vinery road), famous for its excellent vineyards. The most important volcanic massif of Germany is the Vogelsberg in central Hesse. A special landscape feature is the Thuringian Basin (Thüringer Becken), an extended lowland formed by tectonic activities of Tertiary age, but now covered by rich soils.
The South German High Mountains, together with their foothills, are part of a greater mountain range, the Alps, which extends to the neighbouring countries (France, Switzerland, Austria). South of the Danube river are found mainly glacial, fluvial, and lacustrine debris of different time periods which form the so-called "Schotterplatten", which are mostly flat lands with fair agriculture. They are overlaid to the south by deposits from the Würm glaciation period (most recent period. Germany's portion of the Alps is very little. They are barely reaching into German territory. Germany's highest point is the Zugspitze in the so-called Bayerische Alpen (2,963 m) [7].
4) What are the different natural vegetations in Germany?
The largest share of Germany's forests is characterized by a mixture of broadleaf and needleleaf trees. The most common species are oaks, maple and elms in the lowland areas, whereas beeches, pines and firs predominate in higher altitudes. Most broadleaf trees drop their leaves in the fall to retard loss of the moisture in the dormant period. According to Poulsen (1997, 65), this is quite likely to have happened due to the elimination of many species during the glacial periods. Another reason is the alteration of the vegetation by human activities for more than 5,000 years. Without this influence, more than 80 % of the Central European landmass would still be covered by forests. But human expansion has retreated the margins to today's limits. Moreover, today's forests reflect selective forestry practices which have been exercised for hundreds of years. Thus some species have been reduced if not eliminated. In some areas, new species have been introduced without always matching them to the ecological environment. A major present concern is the damage to German forests [6] (only available in German) due to air pollution. Especially in the eastern parts of the country. One of the main reasons for this was the high emission of pollutants [8] from industrial plants during GDR times. After the opening of the border, immediate steps were undertaken, to reduce this environmental threat. The result has been a considerable decrease of sulphur dioxide emission.
Soils are vegetation, a product of the climate, but at the same time they reflect the nature of the parent rock on which they have developed. Especially in the Northern Lowlands poorly drained, podzolic soils are dominant. Outside the glaciated regions, soils contain greater amounts of organic materials and are less leached of minerals. This is the most typical soil in Germany with generally fair farming conditions because of the relatively high components of incorporated fixed nitrogen and other nutrients. By far the best soils have developed on the loess sediments of the North German "Börde" (the transition zone between the North German Lowlands and the Central German Uplands) and in most of the geological basins. Rich in organic materials and due to the moderate rainfalls they are somewhat similar to chernozem soils.
The water bodies of Germany are intimately intertwined with human occupation, be it the North and/or the Baltic Sea, or the navigable rivers [9], which have always been important trade routes and means of access to the country. Most rivers like the Rhine (Rhein), Weser, Elbe and Odra (Oder) have their watersheds drain towards the north, whereas the Danube (Donau) is one of the important rivers that drains into the Black Sea. Interconnections through canals to other important waterways [10] such as the Danube, make it even on a European scale an important factor of communication and transportation. On top of this, the Rhine valley [11] especially between Mainz and Bonn is admittedly one of the most scenic river passages of the whole continent and thus of very high tourist value.
Friday, November 13, 2009
No. 1: Demographics and Culture in Germany
What is the population of Germany?
There are about 82 million people in Germany, with its fertility rate at 1.41 children per woman.
What are the major languages?
German is the official and main spoken language in Germany. Some native minority languages that are spoken in Germany are Danish, Frisian, Romany and Sorbian. The most-used immigrant languages are Turkish, Polish, the Balkan languages, and Russian.
Explain the structure of the government in Germany.
Germany is a federal, parliamentary, representative democratic republic. The German political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1949 constitutional document known as the Basic Law. Amendments to the Basic Law generally require a two-thirds majority of both chambers of the parliament; the articles guaranteeing fundamental rights, the separation of powers, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. Despite the initial intention, the Basic Law remained in effect after the German reunification in 1990, with only minor amendments.
The Chancellor is the head of government and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in other parliamentary democracies.
The President is the head of state, invested primarily with representative responsibilities and powers. He is elected by the Federal Convention, an institution consisting of the members of the Bundestag and an equal number of state delegates.
The second highest official in the German order of precedence is the President of the Bundestag, who is elected by the Bundestag and responsible for overseeing the daily sessions of the body.
The third-highest official and the head of government is the Chancellor, who is nominated by the President of the Bundestag after being elected by the Bundestag. The Chancellor can be removed by a constructive motion of no confidence by the Bundestag.
Since 1949, the party system has been dominated by the Christian Democratic Union and the Social Democratic Party of Germany.
What are the different / main religions in Germany?
The main religion in Germany is Christianity, with Christians making up 64% of the population. 26.5 million are Protestants and 25.5 million are Catholics. The second largest religion is Islam with 4.3 million devotees, followed by Buddhism and Judaism, both with around 200,000 devotees. Hinduism has some 90,000 devotees and Sikhism 75,000. About 24.4 million Germans (29.6%) have no registered religious denomination.
Explain the education system in Germany.
Kindergarten education is provided for all children between three and six years old. After that, school attendance is compulsory for at least nine years. Primary education in Germany usually lasts for four years.
Secondary education includes four types of schools based on a pupil's ability as determined by teacher recommendations. The Gymnasium enrols the most gifted children and prepares students for university studies, and attendance lasts eight or nine years depending on the state; the Realschule has a broader range of emphasis for intermediate students and lasts six years; the Hauptschule prepares pupils for vocational education, and the Gesamtschule or comprehensive school combines the three approaches.
To enter a university in Germany, high school students are generally required to take the Abitur examination, typically done in the Gymnasium at the age of 18 or 19. Students possessing a diploma from a vocational school may also apply for admission to university in certain subjects. Nearly all German universities are public institutions, charging tuition fees ranging from €50–500 per semester for each student.
Describe German cuisines.
German cuisine is different in different regions. Pork, beef, and poultry are the main varieties of meat consumed in Germany, with pork being the most popular. Among poultry, chicken is most common, although duck, goose, and turkey are also enjoyed. Game meats, especially boar, rabbit, and venison are also widely available all year round. Lamb and goat are also available, but are not as popular. Throughout all regions, meat is often eaten in sausage form. More than 1500 different types of sausage are produced in Germany. The most popular vegetables are potatoes, cabbage, carrots, turnips, spinach, and beans.
A popular German saying has the meaning: "Breakfast like an emperor, lunch like a king, and dine like a beggar." Breakfast is usually a selection of breads and rolls with jam and honey or cold meats and cheese, sometimes accompanied by a boiled egg. More than 300 types of bread are sold in bakery shops across the country.
As a country with many immigrants, Germany has adopted many international dishes into its cuisine and daily eating habits. International burger chains, as well as Chinese and Greek restaurants, are widespread. Indian, Thai, Japanese, and other Asian cuisines have gained popularity in recent decades. German restaurants have become the world's second most decorated after eateries in France.
Although wine is becoming more popular in many parts of Germany, the national alcoholic drink is beer. German beer consumption per person is declining but it is still among the highest in the world. Among 18 surveyed western countries, Germany ranked 14th in the list of per capita consumption of soft drinks in general, while it ranked third in the consumption of fruit juices. Carbonated mineral water and Schorle (its mixture with fruit juice) are very popular in Germany.
What are some German festivals?
Some German festivals are the Oktoberfest, Carnival, Love Parade Berlin, Rhine In Flames Festival, Carnival of Cultures in Berlin and Walpurgisnacht Festivals.
Oktoberfest is a 16-day festival held each year in Munich, Germany, running from late September to early October. It is one of the most famous events in Germany and the world's largest fair, with some six million people attending every year, and is an important part of Bavarian culture. The ceremonial opening happens at noon. The mayor arrives in a festive coach followed by a decorated horse-drawn brewer's cart. Guests, staff and the numerous brass bands are all wearing traditional costumes (lederhosen and dirndls) for the occasion. At the end of the parade the major taps the first keg of beer and shouts, "o'zapft is!" (The keg is tapped).
Carnival typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, masque and public street party. People often dress up or masquerade during the celebrations, which mark an overturning of daily life. It is a time when the typically orderly Germans let loose and party. Parades, costume balls, and other such festivities take place throughout the country, often varying widely according to local traditions. Cologne, for instance, is well-known for its Rosenmontag celebration, when elaborately decorated floats, tractors, bands and marchers cohere to parade down a 6 kilometer route through the city center.
The Love Parade is a popular festival and parade that originated in 1989 in Berlin, Germany. The love parade is seen to be louder and more crowded than most concerts. The parade consists of the sound trucks that usually feature local clubs and their DJs. It has become a rule that only trucks that have sponsors from a techno related field, such as clubs, labels or stores, are allowed, but advertising space was increased after the 2006 event to offset the high costs of equipping a truck. The trucks are usually open on top and feature dancers, with box-systems mounted on the side or rear. Love Parade is a place where some exhibit and enjoy other people's exhibitionist tendencies. Often the crowd is imaginative in terms of clothing (or lack thereof) and appearance. One famous picture from the Love Parade is people sitting and dancing on streetlamps, trees, commercial signs, telephone booths, which gave the event's nickname "the greatest amateur circus on earth".
What are some German folktales?
Some German folktales are the Golden Key, The Seven Swabians, Silver Fir Cones by Sheryl Ann Karas, Juniper Tree, Hertha Lake, Melusina and Old Woman In The Wood.
credits : http://www.pilotguides.com/tv_shows/planet_food/food_guides/germany/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany
http://www.germanbeerguide.co.uk/hefeweiz.html
http://www.germanbeerguide.co.uk/images/gose2.jpg
http://www.chd-expert.de/pm_27_neue_deutsche_kueche.php
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=204&sid=3759696
http://www.about-germany.org/festivals/oktoberfest.php
http://www.aaronshep.com/stories/051.html
http://quovadisblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/oktoberfest-03.jpg
There are about 82 million people in Germany, with its fertility rate at 1.41 children per woman.
What are the major languages?
German is the official and main spoken language in Germany. Some native minority languages that are spoken in Germany are Danish, Frisian, Romany and Sorbian. The most-used immigrant languages are Turkish, Polish, the Balkan languages, and Russian.
Explain the structure of the government in Germany.
Germany is a federal, parliamentary, representative democratic republic. The German political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1949 constitutional document known as the Basic Law. Amendments to the Basic Law generally require a two-thirds majority of both chambers of the parliament; the articles guaranteeing fundamental rights, the separation of powers, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended. Despite the initial intention, the Basic Law remained in effect after the German reunification in 1990, with only minor amendments.
The Chancellor is the head of government and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in other parliamentary democracies.
The President is the head of state, invested primarily with representative responsibilities and powers. He is elected by the Federal Convention, an institution consisting of the members of the Bundestag and an equal number of state delegates.
The second highest official in the German order of precedence is the President of the Bundestag, who is elected by the Bundestag and responsible for overseeing the daily sessions of the body.
The third-highest official and the head of government is the Chancellor, who is nominated by the President of the Bundestag after being elected by the Bundestag. The Chancellor can be removed by a constructive motion of no confidence by the Bundestag.
Since 1949, the party system has been dominated by the Christian Democratic Union and the Social Democratic Party of Germany.
What are the different / main religions in Germany?
The main religion in Germany is Christianity, with Christians making up 64% of the population. 26.5 million are Protestants and 25.5 million are Catholics. The second largest religion is Islam with 4.3 million devotees, followed by Buddhism and Judaism, both with around 200,000 devotees. Hinduism has some 90,000 devotees and Sikhism 75,000. About 24.4 million Germans (29.6%) have no registered religious denomination.
Explain the education system in Germany.
Kindergarten education is provided for all children between three and six years old. After that, school attendance is compulsory for at least nine years. Primary education in Germany usually lasts for four years.
Secondary education includes four types of schools based on a pupil's ability as determined by teacher recommendations. The Gymnasium enrols the most gifted children and prepares students for university studies, and attendance lasts eight or nine years depending on the state; the Realschule has a broader range of emphasis for intermediate students and lasts six years; the Hauptschule prepares pupils for vocational education, and the Gesamtschule or comprehensive school combines the three approaches.
The University of Heidelberg was established in 1386. 
The Programme for International Student Assessment, coordinated by the OECD, assesses the skills of 15-year-olds in OECD countries and a number of partner countries. A special system of apprenticeship called Duale Ausbildung allows pupils in vocational training to learn in a company as well as in a state-run vocational school.
To enter a university in Germany, high school students are generally required to take the Abitur examination, typically done in the Gymnasium at the age of 18 or 19. Students possessing a diploma from a vocational school may also apply for admission to university in certain subjects. Nearly all German universities are public institutions, charging tuition fees ranging from €50–500 per semester for each student.
Describe German cuisines.
German cuisine is different in different regions. Pork, beef, and poultry are the main varieties of meat consumed in Germany, with pork being the most popular. Among poultry, chicken is most common, although duck, goose, and turkey are also enjoyed. Game meats, especially boar, rabbit, and venison are also widely available all year round. Lamb and goat are also available, but are not as popular. Throughout all regions, meat is often eaten in sausage form. More than 1500 different types of sausage are produced in Germany. The most popular vegetables are potatoes, cabbage, carrots, turnips, spinach, and beans.
A popular German saying has the meaning: "Breakfast like an emperor, lunch like a king, and dine like a beggar." Breakfast is usually a selection of breads and rolls with jam and honey or cold meats and cheese, sometimes accompanied by a boiled egg. More than 300 types of bread are sold in bakery shops across the country.
As a country with many immigrants, Germany has adopted many international dishes into its cuisine and daily eating habits. International burger chains, as well as Chinese and Greek restaurants, are widespread. Indian, Thai, Japanese, and other Asian cuisines have gained popularity in recent decades. German restaurants have become the world's second most decorated after eateries in France.
Although wine is becoming more popular in many parts of Germany, the national alcoholic drink is beer. German beer consumption per person is declining but it is still among the highest in the world. Among 18 surveyed western countries, Germany ranked 14th in the list of per capita consumption of soft drinks in general, while it ranked third in the consumption of fruit juices. Carbonated mineral water and Schorle (its mixture with fruit juice) are very popular in Germany.
German Beer
German Buffet
German Sausages and Cheese
German Currywurst
German Rouladen
German Sauerbraten
Rote Grutze With Custard
Ice Cream inspired from Spaghetti - Spaghettieis
German Buffet
German Sausages and Cheese
German Currywurst
German Rouladen
German Sauerbraten
Rote Grutze With Custard
Ice Cream inspired from Spaghetti - SpaghettieisWhat are some German festivals?
Some German festivals are the Oktoberfest, Carnival, Love Parade Berlin, Rhine In Flames Festival, Carnival of Cultures in Berlin and Walpurgisnacht Festivals.
Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is a 16-day festival held each year in Munich, Germany, running from late September to early October. It is one of the most famous events in Germany and the world's largest fair, with some six million people attending every year, and is an important part of Bavarian culture. The ceremonial opening happens at noon. The mayor arrives in a festive coach followed by a decorated horse-drawn brewer's cart. Guests, staff and the numerous brass bands are all wearing traditional costumes (lederhosen and dirndls) for the occasion. At the end of the parade the major taps the first keg of beer and shouts, "o'zapft is!" (The keg is tapped).
Carnival
Carnival typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, masque and public street party. People often dress up or masquerade during the celebrations, which mark an overturning of daily life. It is a time when the typically orderly Germans let loose and party. Parades, costume balls, and other such festivities take place throughout the country, often varying widely according to local traditions. Cologne, for instance, is well-known for its Rosenmontag celebration, when elaborately decorated floats, tractors, bands and marchers cohere to parade down a 6 kilometer route through the city center.
Love Parade
The Love Parade is a popular festival and parade that originated in 1989 in Berlin, Germany. The love parade is seen to be louder and more crowded than most concerts. The parade consists of the sound trucks that usually feature local clubs and their DJs. It has become a rule that only trucks that have sponsors from a techno related field, such as clubs, labels or stores, are allowed, but advertising space was increased after the 2006 event to offset the high costs of equipping a truck. The trucks are usually open on top and feature dancers, with box-systems mounted on the side or rear. Love Parade is a place where some exhibit and enjoy other people's exhibitionist tendencies. Often the crowd is imaginative in terms of clothing (or lack thereof) and appearance. One famous picture from the Love Parade is people sitting and dancing on streetlamps, trees, commercial signs, telephone booths, which gave the event's nickname "the greatest amateur circus on earth".
Walpurgisnacht Festivals
Carnival of Cultures in Berlin
What are some German folktales?
Some German folktales are the Golden Key, The Seven Swabians, Silver Fir Cones by Sheryl Ann Karas, Juniper Tree, Hertha Lake, Melusina and Old Woman In The Wood.
One-Eye! Two-Eyes! Three-Eyes!
A tale of the Brothers Grimm, retold by Aaron Shepard.
Once there were three sisters who lived alone in a cottage in the woods. They had been there as long as they could remember, and they never saw anyone else.
Now, the oldest sister was no different from other people. Her name was One-Eye. She had just one eye, right in the middle of her forehead.
The middle sister was also quite ordinary. Her name was Three-Eyes. She had one eye in her forehead, and one on each side of her face.
But the youngest sister was different. Her name was Two-Eyes, and that’s just what she had.
Because Two-Eyes was not like others, her older sisters were ashamed of her and picked on her all the time. They dressed her in ragged hand-me-downs and only let her eat leftovers.
Now, the sisters owned a goat, and every day Two-Eyes took it to the meadow to graze. One morning, when she’d had hardly anything to eat, she sat in the grass and cried her two eyes out.
All at once, an old woman stood before her. But the biggest surprise was that this woman had two eyes, just like Two-Eyes herself.
“What’s wrong, my dear?” asked the woman.
“It’s my sisters,” Two-Eyes told her. “They never give me enough to eat.”
“Don’t worry about that!” said the woman. “You can have as much as you like. Just say to your goat,
‘Bleat, goat, bleat.
And bring me lots to eat!’
Then you’ll have plenty. When you don’t want any more, just say,
‘Bleat, goat, bleat.
I’ve had so much to eat!’
Then the rest will vanish. Just like this.”
And the old woman vanished—just like that.
Two-Eyes couldn’t wait to try. She said to the goat,
“Bleat, goat, bleat.
And bring me lots to eat!”
The goat bleated, and a little table and chair appeared. The table was set with a tablecloth, plate, and silverware, and on it were dishes and dishes of wonderful-smelling food.
“This sure is better than leftovers!” said Two-Eyes.
She sat down and started in hungrily. Everything tasted delicious. When she’d eaten her fill, she said,
“Bleat, goat, bleat.
I’ve had so much to eat!”
The goat bleated and the table vanished. “And that,” said Two-Eyes, “is better than cleaning up!”
When Two-Eyes got home, she didn’t touch her bowl of leftovers. Her sisters didn’t notice till she’d gone off to bed. Then Three-Eyes said, “Look! Our little sister didn’t eat anything!”
“That’s strange,” said One-Eye. “Is someone else giving her food? I’ll go tomorrow and watch her.”
Next morning, when Two-Eyes started out, One-Eye said, “I’m coming along to make sure you tend the goat properly.” Then she followed Two-Eyes to the meadow and kept a careful eye on her. So Two-Eyes never got to use the old woman’s rhyme.
When they got home, Two-Eyes ate her bowl of leftovers. Then she went off to the woods and cried her two eyes out.
The old woman appeared again. “What’s wrong, my dear?”
“It’s my sisters. The goat can’t bring me food, because One-Eye is watching me.”
“Don’t worry about that!” said the woman. “You can stop her if you like. Just sing her this song.
‘Is your eye awake?
Is your eye asleep?
Is your eye awake?
Is your eye asleep?’
Keep singing that, and she’ll sleep soon enough.”
Then the old woman vanished.
Next morning, when Two-Eyes went to the meadow, One-Eye again went along. Two-Eyes said, “Sister, let me sing to you.” And she sang to her over and over,
“Is your eye awake?
Is your eye asleep?
Is your eye awake?
Is your eye asleep?”
One-Eye’s eyelid began to droop, and soon she was fast asleep. Then Two-Eyes said to the goat,
“Bleat, goat, bleat.
And bring me lots to eat!”
The goat bleated, the table appeared, and Two-Eyes ate her fill. Then she said,
“Bleat, goat, bleat.
I’ve had so much to eat!”
The goat bleated again, and the table vanished. Then Two-Eyes shook her sister, saying, “Wake up, sleepyhead!”
When they got home, Two-Eyes didn’t touch her leftovers. After she’d gone off to bed, Three-Eyes asked, “What happened?”
“How should I know?” said One-Eye. “I fell asleep. If you think you can do better, then you go tomorrow.”
So next morning, when Two-Eyes went to the meadow, Three-Eyes went along and kept three careful eyes on her. “Listen,” said Two-Eyes, “and I’ll sing to you.” And she sang to her, over and over,
“Is your eye awake?
Is your eye asleep?
Is your eye awake?
Is your eye asleep?”
As Two-Eyes sang, the eye in her sister’s forehead went to sleep—but her other two eyes didn’t! Three-Eyes pretended, though, by closing them almost all the way and peeking through. She couldn’t quite hear what Two-Eyes told the goat, but she saw everything.
That night, when Two-Eyes had gone off to bed, One-Eye asked, “What happened?”
“Our sister knows a charm to make the goat bring wonderful food,” said Three-Eyes. “But I couldn’t hear the words.”
“Then let’s get rid of the goat,” said One-Eye. And they drove it off into the woods.
Next morning, One-Eye told Two-Eyes, “You thought you could eat better than your sisters, did you? Well, the goat is gone, so that’s that.”
Two-Eyes went down to the stream and cried her two eyes out. Again the old woman appeared. “What’s wrong, my dear?”
“It’s my sisters. The song didn’t work on Three-Eyes. She saw everything, and now they’ve chased away the goat.”
“Silly girl! That charm was just for One-Eye. For Three-Eyes, you should have sung,
‘Are your eyes awake?
Are your eyes asleep?’
But don’t worry about that. Here, take this seed and plant it in front of your cottage. You’ll soon have a tall tree with leaves of silver and apples of gold. When you want an apple, just say,
‘Apple hanging on the tree,
I am Two-Eyes. Come to me!’
It will fall right into your hand.”
Again the old woman vanished. Two-Eyes went home and waited till her sisters weren’t looking, then dug a small hole and planted the seed.
The next morning, a tall tree stood before the cottage with leaves of silver and apples of gold. Two-Eyes found her sisters gaping at it in astonishment.
All at once, Three-Eyes cried, “Look! A man!”
Riding toward them was a knight in full armor, his visor over his face.
“Quick!” said One-Eye. “Hide our little sister!” So they lowered an empty barrel over Two-Eyes.
“Good morning, ladies,” the knight said as he rode up. “Beautiful tree you have there. I would dearly love to have one of those apples. In fact, I would grant anything in my power to the lady who first gave me one.”
The two sisters gasped. They scrambled over to the tree and jumped up and down, trying to grab the apples. But the branches just lifted themselves higher, so the apples were always out of reach.
Meanwhile, Two-Eyes raised her barrel just a little and kicked a stone so it rolled over to the knight.
“That’s odd,” he said. “That stone seems to have come from that barrel. Does anyone happen to be in there?”
“Oh no, sir,” said One-Eye, “not really. Just our little sister.”
“She’s different,” said Three-Eyes, “so we can’t let anyone see her.”
“But I want to see her,” said the knight. “Young lady, please come out!”
So Two-Eyes lifted off the barrel.
“My word!” said the knight. “She’s the loveliest young lady I’ve ever seen!” He raised his visor for a better look.
“Oh no!” screamed One-Eye and Three-Eyes together. “Two eyes!”
Sure enough, the knight had two eyes, just like their sister.
“Dear lady,” said the knight, “can you give me an apple from that tree?”
“Of course!” said Two-Eyes. Standing under it, she said,
“Apple hanging on the tree,
I am Two-Eyes. Come to me!”
An apple dropped right into her hand, and she gave it to the knight.
“My thanks!” he said. “And now I will grant anything in my power.”
“Well, to start with,” said Two-Eyes, “you can take me away from these horrid, hateful sisters!”
So the knight took Two-Eyes back to his castle. And since they had so much in common—after all, they both had two eyes—you can be sure they lived happily ever after.
As for One-Eye and Three-Eyes, day after day they stood under that tree and repeated their sister’s words.
“Apple hanging on the tree,
I am Two-Eyes. Come to me!”
But the apples never fell for them, and they never did figure out why.
credits : http://www.pilotguides.com/tv_shows/planet_food/food_guides/germany/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany
http://www.germanbeerguide.co.uk/hefeweiz.html
http://www.germanbeerguide.co.uk/images/gose2.jpg
http://www.chd-expert.de/pm_27_neue_deutsche_kueche.php
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=204&sid=3759696
http://www.about-germany.org/festivals/oktoberfest.php
http://www.aaronshep.com/stories/051.html
http://quovadisblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/oktoberfest-03.jpg
Friday, October 16, 2009
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