Final Blog!!!

http://ge110denisebe.blogspot.com/

This blog drew my attention with the organization and visual concepts. She put a lot of care into her blog. I can tell because it is neatly organized and everything is in order. All of the details are very accurate. I would rate her blog with a solid 5 on both readability and informative. Compared to my blog, I would have to say that her blog is better.

http://ge110ryanch.blogspot.com/

While reading this blog, it did not draw my attention. There were quite a few missing blogs, and no visual aids, which shows how there was not very much care or time put into the blog. I would have to rate this blog a 3 on both readability and informative due to to the lack of posts. For the stuff that is there, it is accurate and easy to read. Compared to my blog, I would have to say this blog is worse.

http://ge110jonpo.blogspot.com/

While reading this blog, it caught my attention with the background and visuals. Each post is very descriptive and includes accurate details. I can tell he put alot of time and effort into his blog because all of his posts are here, and they are very well organized. I would rate his blog a 4.5 on both readability and informative. Compared to my blog, I would have to say this blog is better.

PART B:

Before this class, I had no idea what the hanseatic league was. I learned about the role of the German military and also about every day life for society. I didn't know what to expect when class started, but this class was not only educational but it was also fun, which helped me learn a lot more. Overall the class was awesome. I like how it was layed out and I also liked the group projects and presentations. I wouldn't change anything that the class had to offer. It was a great course and I would recommend it to anyone looking for more info on German culture and day to day life.

Baader Meinhoff Complex

In 1967 an Iranian leader visits an oper in Berlin. This act enrages many young Germans, resulting in large protests. One of the protestors is wrongfully shot and killed which unleashes a string of bombings by a group known as the Red Army Faction. The group is put on trial. They flee Germany and return a short time later and perform a number of bank robberies and more bomb attacks. Most of the "first generation" RAF members are imprisoned and a group of "second generation" RAF members take control of the German Embassy in Stockholm. The "second generation" kidnaps an industrialist by the last name of Schleyer, as a demand for the release of the other RAF members. The original RAF members commit suicide in prison and out of fear of the suicides, the "second generation" RAF members execute Schleyer.



Hanseatic League

The Hanseatic League was developed in the 13th century to protect merchants and traders during their voyages. The league, was a militarized coalition with it's own market towns that had their own laws to protect traders from being taken advantage of. These cities were thought to be able to battle well established countries such as France and England (however the war with Denmark didn't immediately show promising results) and at sea the League had developed a reputation for fighting off pirates.
However, the League's creation of monopolies and their royal like privileges cause tensions with the locals at their ports. This eventually lead to the demise of the league over the next couple of centuries until 1862. 

Today, the "new hanse" (circa 1980), has been reborn open to former members of the Hanse

The role of German military 18th century

20th


At the start of WWI, Germany lead an attack on France through Belgium. They were unsuccessful and were beaten back. In 1918, Germany went on the defensive then signed an armistice in November that would lead to a surrender. In East Germany, 1914, Russia was driven back by German generals Hindenburg and Ludendorff. In March of 1918, the British and the French defeated the Germans, with the help of American allies.


21st Century


Germany is trying to take a more active role with their military, by sending aid over to West Africa to help with ebola patients. However, they are running into major problems. Only 70 out of 180 of their boxer tanks are prepared, 7 out of 43 of their Helo's are flight ready, and also only one of four submarines are operational. Despite all of their setbacks, Germany is still attempting to put their martial past behind them and do their best to help where needed.

Berlin Calling

1. What do drugs mean to Ickarus?

Using the drugs, to Ickarus, is a way to relax. It helps to give him energy and help him with his music.



1. Why, when, and how are his fans taking drugs, and which drugs do they take?

His fans used heroin, marijuana, cocaine, and PMA pills. They would take the drugs at parties, clubs and they would usually do them in the bathroom.

1. While we can see that his drug habits get him ill and into a psychosis, and while we witness his relapse and inability to work successfully, why does the subculture Ickarus belongs to focus on drugs?

They rely on drugs to keep them going. It's almost like it gives them inspiration from the music they listen to.

1. Compare the standards you know from your home society with the people you see depicted in this movie. Which are the stark differences and contrasts?

The people from my home society who use drugs are usually jobless, homeless, or under other major stressors that push them to use a drug to deal with these issues. The people depicted in the movie use them as a party drug. They like to go to clubs and listen to "techno" music.

1. Germany is considered a strong industrial nation the world over. Do you think that the youth culture as depicted here could change that? How about work ethics of Ickarus and of Alice, the label director who fires and then re-signs him?

I don't believe that the youth culture depicted will change the fact the Germany is a strong industrial nation. Every nation has its problems with the youth. Alice tried to get Ickarus to stop his drug habit. At first, the drug gave Ickarus a good work ethic. It helped him focus, and stay up to get his job done, but in the long run it threw him into psychosis and made him very drowsy.

1. Which similar "cult movies" of US origin have you seen, if any?

Chapter 9

In chapter 9, Paul returns to the front lines and finds Kat, Muller, Tjaden, and Kropp still alive. They are all told that the Kaiser is coming to visit the army and they all get excited. They get new uniforms, and everything is cleaned from top to bottom. After the Kaiser visits, Paul and the others decide that they are not impressed. They begin to think that war is only good for leaders who want to be in history books, and that war is unnecessary. Paul then volunteers to go to "No mans land" to gain intel on the enemy's strengths. On his way back from no mans land, he is bombarded and forced to hide out in a shell hole. While he's waiting, a French soldier jumps into the shell hole and Paul is forced to stab him. The Frenchman does not die right away, so Paul bandages him up and gives him some water until he passes. After the French soldier dies, Paul has to wait in the shell hole with the dead soldier until dark so he can make it back without being spotted. He explains to the deceased soldier that if he could do it over he would not stab him again and he would let him live. Darkness finally comes and Paul makes it back to his friends and he explains to them what happened. They take his attention from the event and explain to him that it was kill or be killed.

Corporal Himmelstoss

My name is Corporal Himmelstoss. Before the war broke out I was just an ordinary postman. War changes a man. I soon came to be known for my brutal training methods and bullying young recruits. I used unethical and dangerous techniques, humiliating and degrading the recruits. I was sent to the front lines and soon came to find out that I was no better than the recruits I trained. It's a rude wake up call to be in the trenches fighting for your life. I'm remorseful for the way I treated the recruits and will do anything I can to make up for it.

Group 3 Bergen

Founding

• Founded in 12th Century AD
• Trade was the backbone of Hanseatic League
• most common item of trade was Salt, crucial for many cities who had huge fish industries

Trust and Truth

• Contracts were done by handshake and word of mouth.
• Written contracts were not as necessary because there was general trust shared by league members
• If problems arose the league would meet with city representatives to resolve the issues at hand.

Historical Markers

• The start of the Hansa was traced back to the rebuilding of northern German town, Lubeck in 1159 by Henry Lion, Duke of Saxony and Bavaria.
• 1265- All German towns, with the Law of Lubeck, had agreed on common legislation for the defense of merchants and their goods.
• 1270- Lubeck-Hamburg association aquired trading privileges in Flanders and England United.
• 1280- The confederation of German Merchants trading in the west, was closely closely joined to the association trading in the Baltic. 
• By the early 13th century Germans had a strong build on long distant trade in the Baltic.

Cities

• Each city governed itself like a independent city, each had its own legal system, standing army, treasury, court and seal
• However it was not a city-state nor a group of city-states. Only very few cities in the Hanseatic League enjoyed independence that could compare to an imperial city
• Socially every city has many similarities; what they traded, who they traded with, their cities, and their social standings. The few differences are mainly to do with cultural influences. Mainly language. 
• The main language spoken throughout the Hanseatic cities was German, however languages such as estonian and Latvian were popular as well.    

Trade Routes

• Bergen was not only the capital of Norway, but also the center of trade for Western Norway.
• Bryggens was the harbor in Bergen used for trade.  
• The ships they used for transport, carried cod from Norway to the European countries.
• Catholics used the fish for when they fasted.

Describe the ships, cities and social make up of Hanse Cities.

Ships

• Usually 20-30m long by 5-8 m wide with a crew of only 5-10 men
• built similar to Viking ships, however were only merchant ships
• Flat bottoms which were fitted for sailing in the shallow seas, mainly sailed along the coast and unable to sail against the wind
• Ships shipped every sort of good, but main exports and imports were salt, herring, grains, timber, and amber

Lower Saxony, Bremen and Saarland

Saarland is home to many tourist attractions. One of them is the Alte Brucke. It's a stone arched bridge that serves as a major passageway across the Saar River. It was built in 1546 and was destroyed in WWI by aerial bombings. The bridge was reconstructed after the war.

Picture Source: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alte_Br%C3%BCcke_(Heidelberg)
Another major tourist attraction is the Saarbrucken Castle. The castle dates back to somewhere around the year 999. The castle was then made a part of a palace complex in the 18th century. In the 19th century, the complex was burned down. It was renovated in the 20th century and currently serves as a major government headquarters for Germany.

Picture Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saarbr%C3%BCcken_Castle

Bremen's Town Hall is a major tourist attraction. It was built between 1405 and 1410. It is the only European Town Hall, built in the middle ages, that hasn't been altered or destroyed.

Picture Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bremen_Town_Hall
Another major tourist attraction is the statue of Roland that stands in the town square. The statue is a symbol of freedom and trading rights. The statue was built over 600 years ago and it is believed that as long as the statue stands watch over the city, Bremen will remain free and independent.

Picture Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bremen_Roland

Lower Saxony is home to the Rammelsberg, a mountain that stands 635 meters high. The Rammeslberg is the location of a mine that was in operation for over 1,000 years before it closed down in 1988. The mine became a Unesco World Heritage site in 1992.

Picture Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rammelsberg
The Saint Michaels church is another attraction for Lower Saxony. It was constructed between 1001 and 1031. The church was named after Michael, the Christian Archangel of protection. The church became a Unesco World Heritage site in 1985.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Michael's_Church,_Hildesheim

My expectations for German 110

I'm interested in this class because most of my heritage is German and I honestly don't know enough about it. My expectations for this class are to have a good time but also learn a lot. I hope this class gives me an idea of how German life is lived now and in the past. I would like to learn how German life and the economy was before World War 1 and after. Also, I would like to learn about the german culture, to include, family life, religion, and the norms of their culture.