Hohenschönhausen Prison

• Hohenschönhausen Prison is a German Stasi prison which is now a museum. 
• Finsished construction in 1939
• It was originally established in 1945 as a holding camp for those who would be later shipped to Soviet Camps known as Special Camp #3. 
•  1948-Labor
• More than 20,000 people 
• Not enough food
• Small and cramped areas for the amount of prisionsers
• Officail Soviet Statistics list about 900 deaths, but realisticly there were closer to 3000 in about one year
• In 1951 it became the main remand prison for the Stasi
• Contained a Hospital 

•  Under Stasi
• Contained various prisoners 
• Leaders of June 17, 1953 uprising
• Jehova's Wittenesses
• escapees - August 13, 1961
• Walter Linse
• Kidnapped in 1952 - executed in Moscow a year later
• Prisoners rarely knew why 
• Psychologically tortured - threaten them and their families and friends
• Physically tortured
• Many times were arrested and imprisoned for attempting to escape East Berlin 

• October 3, 1990 Prison was closed when the  German Democratic Republic became the Federal Republic of Germany

Prison watch tower 

Map of the Prison 

Inside the prison 

An overall look of the prison

Sources

Berlin guide. 2005. http://berlin.barwick.de/sights/east-berlin/hohenschoenhausen-memorial-center-prison-museum.html

http://en.stiftung-hsh.de/

 http://www.awayplan.com/germany/berlin/things-to-do/hohenschoenhausen-prison

Stasi - Shield and Sword

• Stasi:  It's official name in German: Ministerium für Staatsicherheit (“Ministry for State Security”) founded in 1950.  
• "secret police" of the East German Government post World War II. 
•  Its main responsibility was counter intelligence against the West by public surveillance and espionage  (such as the USA and other countries seen as a threat) (Cameron).
• Had Spies all over the Country
• Based on a model from Moscow
•  Enforce unity
• Destroy all opostion

• In 1967, Karl-Heinz Kurras shot Benno Ohnesorg, a college student, at a demonstration. 
• According to Kulish of the New York Times, Kurras lived a double life as a West Police officer, and a spy for the Stasi (Kulish 2009).  

• Erich Mielke 
• Joined communist party at the age of 15
• 1957-1989
• Positions in the GDR as well
•  Though, it seemed that there was enough evil he did as the head of Stasi, it took a 61 year old murder to put him in jail in 1992 for 6 years.  
• He died in 2000. 
• Looking at this it is shocking to see the end of this German tragedy is still remembered by many and this man's death was only 12 years ago. 

Thousands of people demonstrated against Stasi informants in the eastern German city of Leipzig on March 3, 1990.

 Erich Mielke in 1985

Stasi surveillance files.

Benno Ohnesorg being cradled by a woman after he was shot during a demonstration in West Berlin in 1967

Sources:

Schulze, Hagen. Germany: A New History. London: Harvard University Press. 1998.

Cameron, Joel D. Encyclopedia Britannica: Stasi.  http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/563751
/Stasi

Binder, David. Erich Mielke, Powerful Head of Stasi, East Germany's Vast Spy Network, Dies at 92
http://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/26/world/erich-mielke-powerful-head-of-stasi-east-germany-s-vast-spy-network-dies-at-92.html

Kulish, Nicholas. New York Times: Spy fired Shot that Changed West Germay http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/27/world/europe/27germany.html?hpw&_r=0

The Era of the Wars

From the years of 1914 to 1949 Germany was under the world wars as long as was the rest of the world. World War I was thought to be a quick war which would have been over in a few weeks. however that plan did not come to place. As the war lingered on the enthusiasm and support quickly faded (192). With that in mind. the war brought many changes to the German government and to its people. They suddenly were at a different state than they were before and democracy did not seem to be working (198). World War I ended in defeat for Germany in 1919. The Treaty of Versailles was signed by Forgein Minster Hermann Muller Postal Minster Johannes Bell. The Treaty of Versailles left Germany with the bill of World War I. They had a pay for much of the destruction they were blamed with us this country start of fall apart economically (204). They were left Bankrupt. The people had to return to the form of bartering instead of using money because it was simply worth nothing. They would use it to burn fores to keep warm because they had to use needed coal as payment to France. The amount of money that they had to pay with 6% annual interest just destroyed the economy of Germany (209-210).

The signing of the Treaty of Versailles

An image of the Treaty

Not only was Germany facing an economic issue, but also a governmental one. They went through 16 different governments in the average of a new form about every year and a half (207). Germany was seemed helpless after the Treaty of Versailles their forces and military was ordered to decrease (205). However in 1923 Hitler led a March which began a patriotic movement, which put him and his associates in jail (211). However, new governments were not only changing in Germany but were also changing in Britain and France. The German was given a second chance since there was a greater amount of openness toward Germany (212).

Although things were beginning to look brighter for Germany, all was not right. The Treaty of Versailles left them with a broken spirit, and even though the other European countries were no longer harassing them and strictly blaming them for World War I, The country of Germany was still not united. But even though the Treaty of Versailles left them with a great hardship, the years of 1924 in 1929 there was a great production increase in Germany with a growth of about 50% (218). But growth was only temporary in 1930 unemployment began to increase (230). The heartache of World War I left Germany with a hopeless society and though there was growth there was still not one country. This left a whole that needed to be filled. Hitler was able to use this toward his benefit. His eloquence in words gave him the power to reach the heart of the people.

Hitler: brought unity to Germany 

Hitler use the emotional needs of the people to reach the heart of the people (231-232).
The Great Depression then hit between 1920 and 1932. Once again it was as if Treaty of Versailles heartache had returned. No it did not lead directly to Hitler's reign, it helped give him the emotional needs of the people for him to dominate Germany. His goal for a "superior race" left him in charge of the nation (247). Post-World War I left Germany with a desperate need for unification, and Hitler answer that call. What he had done for Germany was given immunity which had never been done before, this time German people a reason to stand united. Hitler used the Treaty of Versailles to get Germany on his side and he rose against it and violated it in 1935 (259).

To find it interesting that one treaty affected Germany so greatly it lead to the country be run by arguably the "evilest "dictators of all times. We often blamed Germany for being an evil nation however we do not realize the pain they suffered before they became what Hitler influence them to be. He gave them something they had desired unity and something to live for. Looking back today, we may blame the people of Germany for following the "evil dictator." The Treaty of Versailles left a lasting negative effects to the German people it is amazing how one piece of paper can change a nation.



Word 727

A unsuported union

This is a map for the time period of 1815-1830 of Germany.  As one can see, it is changing from the smaller regions it once was to mainly Prussia and Austria. From: http://michaeljohnbenze.net/images/ger1815.gif

German was growing; it was developing from a culture and a language into a full forced identity of a nation (117).  However, this did not start with a simple unification of the small Germanic regions.  It took wars and threats and fear to push for a unification of the Germanic regions.  It started with the fall of the Holy Roman Empire and the growth of Prussia and Austria.  These two large regions of German people began to grow, but they were not established on their own before their areas were threatened by Napoleon’s French revolution since there was fighting on the soil of Germanic lands (102, 118).  The French brought great defeat to many of the German lands that those states became allies with France and adapted their government style to fit their traditions (103).  This was a change for all German nations except the larger ones, Prussia and Austria.  This change brought about a need for unity of German regions, but Napoleon’s war was only a contributing factor to the need for unity, it was only the beginning of their need for a true German Nation. 

Napoleon who crowned himself King of France.  His wars lead to the start of German need for unity as a nation. From: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZANAGGb0-cWjDOxD3SJgouSKs5w3-zR_WqwDVXKB8UWFR_5Qo7f7B9AdDOLFaoOFFYkPfk5okyhJaMwO-nO2eqpGThHw_ENe_UnNpxDePK0f0IzyKYdrK0CRTbUclFcI6h8CoCveaoJqp/s1600/napoleon.jpg

The nation would not spring up overnight even with the push from Napoleon's war.  Its need and desire was strengthened during the Rhine when it seemed that France once again wanted to expand its boarders into German lands (p118).  France's conflicts with German lands only awakened the need for unity more and more, which lead to an increase in unity between the German lands and the people.  They began ro find common ground and grow with a new understanding.

This is a map of the Rhine River. From:   http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/willow/the-rhine0.gif

However, even with the great threat of France, unity was not an easy task for the Germans to accomplish.  In 1848-1849, there was a seemingly failed Revolution; it brought a greater sense of political unity, helping lay the foundation for a future German nation (p129).  This also brought great strength to the economics of Germany. Leaving room for the expansion of companies and the groundwork of industrialism which helped Germany escape from the Pauperism which had effected the German nations  during the 1830, which was large groups of urban poor who could not find work due to a changing economy (p116).  However, even with all of the seemingly blessings of this new era and the true development of a German nation, the feeling of the people is described as uprootedness (p134).

This may not seem like a big issue, but I find it to be the most intriguing since, they are becoming stronger, but then again, they are becoming resentful. The unity may have been supported because of security form France and other surrounding nations, but not out of the desire of the people’s hearts. Hence it left the German people with the feeling that their lives, though comfortable stability wise, was being taken from them by the change in the times (p134-135).  The more traditionally oriented society was forced to become modernized and though there were those who followed, it was not a consensus.   Therefore, this needed to be addressed which lead to an “Independent German workers, movement” which would influence the political minds of the time (p135).

Though the nation was not yet a whole piece, it was now Prussia (Small Germany) and Austria (Great Germany).  Prussia was stronger, since it had a greater final control (p129).  These kingdoms may have had similar people, but Austria was greatly under Prussia’s will.  Hence, though these two German nations may have been of similar people they were not at the same point to be the same nation.  Truly it seemed much of the German society was not ready for a unified nationality because the fall of the Holy Roman Empire was only about half a century prior, there was a vast amount of change which can leave people feeling insecure, even if the change is good. 

(word count 642)

Luther

Martin Luther, a image of him which I saw as more becoming and less rigged.  Said to be done by a friend of his to show him as "thoughtful and serious." Found From:http://www.korcula.net/history/mmarelic/luther.htm

Martin Luther has been a name I have known since I was a little girl growing up in a Christan school.  My high school was a private Lutheran founded school in Aurora.  Therefore, we would have a discussion about his impact on Christianity at least once if not more per year.  Before seeing this video, I knew that his impact has greatly affect my view of my own faith, but now I know how much his theology affected the German people and the German nation.  His words brought about more than I could have understood by just looking through the strictly religious part of his impact. I never really connected the impact he had on the German culture distinctly, but now I understand that his words and actions changed a nation.

Luther brought about a sense of empowerment into not only Christians, but specifically to the Germans.  Not only did he inspire people to read the Bible and understand Christianity as thing for themselves and gave them the way to do it (by translating the Bible into German), but he challenged Germany to be a place of their own, a nation.  He did not just inspire the everyday person, but those in power in Germany as well.  He works brought about a change focusing on not only Germany's religion, but showing what the money they are taxed is being used for.  Therefore, he empowered the people to do things which they would have never have done without the strength and zealousness that Luther showed was within the German people, by becoming himself, an example.



Fredrick the wise helped Luther's words go out into the nation of Germany and fueled the empowerment Luther was giving to the people.  His life was not easy, but it was an impaction for the German people to start a revolution against the catholic church.  Even with his mistakes and strong language which was extreme. His impact is still evident in the German history.

University of Wittenberg (modern day), absolutely beautiful.  I think it is amazing to see places like this which have remained beautiful and have a history which has affected the world.  This is were the revolution began. Found from:http://www.library.yale.edu/oacis/oacis_easb.html

Listening and watching this video, he helped make the German nation into an independent place free from control of the Pope and his actions gave the German nation something meaningful to unite upon.  From the chapter I saw such segregation among the different cities because of how they each had their different languages, laws, and government, but now they went on to becoming their own nation. 

Words:394

History

(This map shows the expansion and change in German lands from 800-1400AD.  I found this interesting because of how small Poland is today compared to this picture.  I find it extremely interesting that a nation with, form my understanding little sense of nationality as Germans at this time expanded to the point where they are today. Found from: http://maps.nationmaster.com/country/gm)

In reading the first two chapters of our book, I found a string that followed as history was being made.  There seemed to be nothing excursively German for most of the German history.  There was not a sense of unity amongst the various people that we know today as Germans. Their sense of belonging was restricted to small towns and cities, but there was no sense of them being part of the larger nation or country.  The "Holy Roman Empire of the German nation" was a mix of different people, whom the rest of the world refereed to as Germans.  However, they were a vast mix of various people groups.  I find this difficult to picture and understand.  I found it interesting that all of these people were doing well until the church began to split and caused problems with the understanding of who was right.  Therefore, it seemed to me that the "German nation" was doing well until the church decided that it needed to split.


The split of the church lead to confusion and disorder amongst the German nation.  This split seemed to be the start of a spiral into how the German people understand the world.  Their uncertainty to follow the authority of a man spread throughout the nation and inspired those who would stand against the church and judge the Bible, and its teachings for themselves instead of how they were told by the church.  From my understanding of this chapter,  during these 200 or so years, the church was divided many times and much of it within the "German nation."  They were at the heart of rebellions and change within the church, therefore, it was difficult for them to trust authority figures. 

(This image was called Bale's dance of death. I found it interesting becuase that is how the German people seemed to feel about the Pope's and the Empire since there was so much death during the time of their reign in the 1400s.  Such as the Black Death, starvation, and rebellions. Found from: http://www.dodedans.com/Exhibit/Image.php?lang=e&navn=basel-03)
From the confusion of authority, I think that this culture is a mix of different people groups trying to be united with nothing to be united on.  However, though different from America, it is similar in the fact that there different people groups living in the same area.  Throughout reading the chapter it seemed that these different people wanted to be their own, but either liked the Roman ideas too much or just did not care to try to make a difference in creating their own nation.  However, becuase of how the German nation started as a variety of different people this may lead them to have a better understanding of how to live with a variety of people within one location with different ideals and  world views.  Many times as Americans, I do not think we understand how to do this, but their history is built on living amongst others with different laws and views. 

word 443