Final Post

Over the course of the semester, our class has been taught many things. We have learned about the origins of various areas throughout Germany. We have studied movies which show many different cultural sides which reflect different views of Germany. We have even learned about different traditional dishes and drinks within Germany. There was a lot of information to take in within the course of just one semester. It is very difficult to select just one talking point to summarize this final blog. Since I am assigned to do so, I will select the final film which we watched together as a class. This film was titled, Baader-Meinhof Complex. This was a film based on the true story which presented it's viewers with the history behind the Red Army Faction, or the RAF. The RAF existed between 1970 and 1998. The RAF consisted of three 'generations'. The original generation included the original members who had founded and headed the RAF. The second generation included the members who had picked up after the original members were either killed or incarcerated. The final generation continued until the group was ended in 1998. The RAF believed the government was fascist, and they were down and determined to put an end to this fascism, or to at least make their point of view heard loud enough so that others could follow in their example. The RAF believed that they were a new generation in West Berlin. The protested that the Federal Republic had weapons to put the people down and that people must arm themselves in order to fight the oppression of the government. They began with organized protest, but became increasingly resistant as the government tried to put a stop to them. They received aid from allies in Jordan, and they were also partially trained by them overseas. When the RAF returned to West Berlin, they began robbing banks with the use of guns and bombs. This plan lead to the acquisition of new members to the RAF, but it also in turn, lead to the deaths and incarcerations of the original members of the RAF. Without the original members of the RAF at the helm, the group eventually lost its way and was inevitably ended in 1998. I chose the topic of the RAF as a final blog, because they were not afraid to stand up for what they believed in, even when facing an opponent such as the government. In one of our final class meetings, we were asked to stand in one of three areas within the classroom. There was an area for people who strictly believed in peace. There was an area for the people who believed in fighting for their beliefs. The final area was for those who were in between, and needed to hear more information to determine which side they truly stood for. I myself stood in the area for the people who believe that they will fight for their beliefs when it is required. I believe that this is where the RAF would have stood. This is also why I chose to blog about them. I can relate to many of their viewpoints, although I cannot see me blowing open a bank vault and robbing the place. I could have blogged about many different topics, but the RAF kept my interest from the start to the finish. I believe that students around the world should be taught about this group, because it is an important part of German history. I am very pleased with my decision of taking this Germany course. I feel like I have learned far more information about the culture of Germany than I had ever actually expected to know within the course of my lifetime. I have learned about traditions throughout Germany, I have learned about important dates and people, and I have watched films which show different views of Germany which are normally not shown within history books. I enjoyed the way that Professor Roland taught the class, and I enjoyed listening to all of the knowledge that he had to offer. He actually takes an interest in his students, and that made the class feel more 'home-like' for me, since I came from a very small high school. I look forward to taking additional German courses after being influenced by German 110.

Handout and German Food

Answers to questions from the Blue Handout Sheet:
1. Baader-Meinhof organized their protests strategically. Their first one was outside of the vehicle housing the Shah of Iran. They were prepared to be peaceful, but over the course of time, they become exceedingly violent. They begin to fight back against the police, and use greater force over time.

2. I would say that my level of identification remained almost the same throughout the film. I am a firm believer of standing up for what you believe in, and I believe that it is required to use force if it becomes necessary. I am uncertain as to if I would be able to follow into an uprising like they had preformed, but I support the fact that they followed up their talking with action and made the government notice them.

3. I believe that the determination and rudeness of Andreas Baader did have a key role in the dynamics of the group. The group seemed to mimic his attitude, and they followed him unquestionably.  If he was angry and was determined to reek havoc, then the rest of the group would reek havoc alongside him.

4. I stand on the side that will use force to change society and political systems. I am all for peace, but I believe that society will only continue to push you around if you are unwilling to fight back and oppose them. If you are unable to back up the words that you say, you may as well never say them at all.








 

This is Bratkartoffeln. It is a fried potato dish, which is usually made from leftover potatoes. Bits of bacon and onion are often added to make this a main dish. It is very easy to make. All one has to do is brown the slices of potatoes, and then add in the bits of bacon and onions.

RAF

The RAF was Germany's most prominent World War II left-wing militant group. The began after a group of young protesters were attacked by the forces of the Shah of Iran and the German police attacked the group, which resulted in the death of one young protester. The RAF consisted of three 'waves' or generations. The first generation consisted of the Baader and his original associates. The second generation occurred during the mid 1970's after several former members of the Socialist Patients' Collective joined. The third and final generation existed in the early 1980's until the late 1990's. On 20 April 1998, an eight-page typewritten letter in German was faxed to the Reuters news agency, signed "RAF" with the submachine-gun red star, declaring that the group had dissolved. This ended the RAF. Today's current terrorist attacks are commonly by the use of surprise bombings. The RAF used a more hands on method of attacks, which was depicted by use of media. The RAF was not afraid to reveal themselves as the attacks were ongoing. The two seperate groups may have used different tactics, but they both always seem to be rebelling against something. The RAF rebels against their government, while terrorist groups also rebel against their government. Terrorist groups today also do what they do to strike fear into their enemies on a larger scale.

Baader-Meinhof Complex

Baader-Meinhof Complex is a German film about the forming of the West German group Rote Armee Fraktion (Red Army Faction, or RAF). In the beginning of the film, the Shah of Iran visits West Berlin. There  is a rioting crowd which is dominantly younger Germans, who are having a large protest due to his arrival. The German police and members of what I believed to be the Shah's army, attack the protesters. This chaos results in the death of a young protester, which in turn outrages the youth of Germany. Journalist Ulrike Meinhof writes articles criticizing the Shah and brutality of the police, which inspires Gudrun Ensslin and Andreas Baader to form the RAF. They quickly begin recruiting outraged Germans, and begin to reek havoc across Germany. They proceed to blow up a department store, as well as other scandals before eventually fleeing German to seek training in Jordan. After they return to Germany, the RAF begins a chain of bank robberies. Shortly after, one of the first members of the group is killed in a police shootout. This angers the RAF, and they begin fighting back. One by one the original members are either captured or killed, eventually resulting in the capture of Meinhof. The captured members are placed in different prisons, which cases them to forego a hunger strike. This results in the death of one member, and the rest of the RAF considers this murder. We did not make it much farther into the film, but I understood the plot to show the rebellion of the RAF, and that it only takes a few individuals to start a revolution which continues even after the original members are put out of commission.

19th Century German Literature

http://prezi.com/p8ohm0z32wwc/19-century-german-literature/

Hopefully this link will finally work! It was the project to which I was assigned with A.J. Ray, and Matt Moslof. It has not worked all this time, so hopefully this one will finally work.

Two Movies

For this blog, there will be a comparison between two German films. The first film is called, Good Bye Lenin. This is a film about a young man named Alex Kerner. He lives with his family consisting of his mother, his sister, and his sister's daughter. Alex is a member of an anti-government demonstration, and sees a girl whom takes his fancy shortly before a riot breaks out and he is arrested. His mother sees him being arrested and has a heart attack and slips into a coma. Alex is released to see his ill mother that evening, where to his surprise, he sees and finally meets the girl from the riot. She is a young nurse who is taking care of his mother.The two soon begin to date. Not long after, the Berlin Wall falls, and capitalism is unleashed upon East Berlin. Alex wins a job in a lottery for installing satellite dishes. Eight months later, his mother awakens, but any amount of shock could bring on another heart attack. Alex and his family create the old world which his mother had known, and portray it day after day to his now bed ridden mother. This becomes increasingly difficult, and eventually Alex's girlfriend tells his mother everything. His mother died two days later, peacefully.

The second film is called, The Edukators. It is a film about three young activists in Berlin, Jule, Peter, and Jan. Jule is a waitress who has to pay back a very heavy debt to a wealthy man for crashing into his car. She is evicted from her apartment, and moves in with Peter and Jan. Jan tells Jule that he and Peter go around in the middle of the night, break into wealthy people's homes, rearrange their furniture, and leave a note saying they have too much money. Jule convinces the two to let her come with to break into the house of the man she is in debt to. During their break in, Jule loses her phone. They must return the next day. While looking for the phone, the owner comes into the house, only to be knocked out and taken hostage. The three friends take him to a cabin that belongs to Jule's uncle. While they are there, they learn more about the man, and eventually let him go. He gives Jule a note saying to not worry about the debt or the police. That night, ploice break into the apartment the three have been sharing. The police only find a note which says, Some People Never Change.

Berlin Calling Questions

Questions from the movie Berlin Calling.
1. Drugs mean a way of escape for Ickarus. He seems to always crave his next high. He uses drugs while making music, and just as an everyday event.
2. His fans are taking drugs before and after shows. I think that they take them to get deeper into the music, and to relax while listening to techno. They take pills and cocaine. One type of pill may have been LSD, but I am not for certain.
3. I believe that Ickarus' subculture is into drugs, because they are relatively young and are rebellious. Techno is a new up and coming type of music, so I believe that they are rebelling along side with their new rebellious music movement.
4. In my home society, drugs are highly frowned upon. This is the complete opposite of the society in the movie. Techno is around my home society, but it is not nearly as important to the culture as it is in the movie.
5. I believe that the youth culture depicted in the movie could lower the standings of German industry. I believe this, because they are more concerned about the night life and drugs than they are with their careers and goals in life. They seem to live in the moment, and not look at the bigger picture in life. Ickarus does show a very respectable work ethic when he begins to finish his new album. Alice also shows a work ethic which is respectable, because she looks out for what is best for her record company.
6. I honestly have never viewed a 'cult movie' such as this before. I will be sure to view one after watching this great movie. If any movie I choose to watch is anything like Berlin Calling, I know I will be satisfied. Great movie, I am very glad that we watched it in class.

19th Century German Literature Prezi

http://prezi.com/p8ohm0z32wwc/19-century-german-literature/

Hopefully this link is more successful than the last few I have tried uploading to this blog.

Literature and Medicine

We learned a great deal of information held within the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries of German Literature and Medicine. Germany went through three different periods of literary styles. There were many discoveries in medicine. Many of these discoveries are still used today, or have been manipulated into more efficient forms of medicine. There were many very interesting theories within the world of medicine, which I am thankful that there have been further discoveries improving the ideas of medicine. Germany witnessed many very influential authors and poets during these centuries. There were periods of sadness, joy, and influential writings. Authors who wrote during this time period are still very highly reguarded to this day. The most famous and argueably one of the world's all time greatest writers, Goethe published many highly influential and wonderful creations. The media began to have a great effect on the people of Germany during this time period. There was probaganda, most famously dictated by the Nazi rule. The media began to influence and shift the thoughts and opinions of the people of Germany. This is still very much witnessed today. Overall, these centuries saw a great change in both the worlds of fine arts and medicine. They are still used for a basis of research to this day, and will continue to be a stepping stone for the foundation of not only Germany, but for the entire world for centuries to come.

My Reaction to Today's Presentations

I enjoyed learning about the advances in medicine. It is amazing to see just how far it has come, and it was very interesting to see just where it all began, and to learn about the minds behind some of medicines most facinating ideas. I found the steam gauge to be the most interesting, because it is still being used today, just with some advances. It is hard to believe that there have always been such gifted minds that have been able to influence and better the lives of billions of people for thousands of years.

Group Project: 19th Century Literature

Our group ( Kelly, A.J., and Matt ) met at the library to create a slide show about 19th century literature. We all discussed what each person will present, and we all contributed with creating the presentaion.

19th Century Literature

https://mail.stcloudstate.edu/owa/attachment.ashx?attach=1&id=RgAAAAB%2bwK0vXUnXQKz7rXD1rGXWBwC0%2fuygQWuWQ49NZxsdJnVFAAAAP1S5AAC0%2fuygQWuWQ49NZxsdJnVFAABqer9VAAAJ&attid0=BAAAAAAA&attcnt=1

Five Talking Points

• A great read which displays a side of war often unknown.
• A post theatre war movie shines on the big screen.
• The hardships of common soldiers are revealed in this one of a kind novel.
• A heart-breaking ending to a wonderful novel.
• The loss of one's friends during an already tragic time.

Stanislaus Katczinsky

Stanislaus Katczinsky, also known as Kat, is the oldest of the main characters. He is almost forty years old, and with his age, brings experience and leadership into the lives of the other young main characters. Kat was the only main character to have a career back home. He was a cobbler. In a way, he represents the differences between the older soldiers and the younger soldiers. This is due to his age, which has given him more time than the other main characters to live a life and have life experiences. Kat is also known to have a sort of sixth sense. He is always able to scavenge up food and supplies even when no one else has any such luck in doing so. Kat is the best friend that Paul, the novels main character and narrator, makes throughout the novel. Kat is also the final friend of Paul’s to die in the novel. Kat becomes wounded in battle, and Paul carries him on his back to safety, only to find out that he perished along the way due to a splinter that struck him in the back of the head. It is Kat’s death which finally breaks Paul. He no longer is concerned whether he lives or dies in the war. He knows he is now alone, and faces the world without any sense of fear.

The experience and leadership that Kat shows throughout the novel is truly remarkable. He is a great leader, and does whatever he can for the rest of the character throughout the novel. He shares heart touching moments with the main characters in the novel, especially Paul. He always provides a positive influence on the battlefield, and is more knowledgeable about battle tactics than anyone else. It is his leadership qualities which make him such a vital character throughout the novel. He is the type of leader that any comrade would want to have, and he is the type of friend that anyone would like to have.

Chapter 6 All Quiet on the Western Front

Chapter six of the novel All Quiet on the Western Front is truly eye opening. This chapter is the first chapter to really describe just what type of conditions that the soldiers were facing while being engaged in trench warfare. The chapter is brutally realistic and graphic with its descriptions. The reader feels like they themselves have been placed into the midst of battle as description after description depict the harsh and relentless conditions of World War I trench warfare. The characters in this chapter are first faced with the issue of rats. The rats continually eat their food in the middle of the night. Along with the rats, the French enemy continually fires artillery upon the German troops. Trench after trench is destroyed, only to be quickly repaired, even though this is almost useless. Finally, the French army charges the trenches of the Germans. A bloody battle occurs. Hand grenades are thrown throughout the battle field, tearing full limbs clean off from their former bodies. The Germans withstand the French attack, and deliver a counter attack of their own. The Germans quickly overtake the French trenches, and take all of the food and supplies that they are able to before heading back to their trenches. That night, the German soldiers recover their strength and stamina with some well-deserved food and drink. They also take the moment of silence to reflect upon childhood memories, wishing that they were able to return to them. Their visions are cut short however, as a fresh French bombardment begins. New recruits are mowed down due to their inexperience. After this second barrage, which the Germans once again prevail through, the Second Company is relieved. The Second Company is the company which stars the main characters of the novel. The end of the chapter reveals that the Second Company has been cut down from one hundred and fifty men to just thirty two men throughout the course of the trench warfare.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1fLYeg0qZA48zJ7Ja7Mxh1e87KPHAblSaiRhYM-JUNyE/present#slide=id.p13

My Work On The Pitate Party

My name is Kelly Jones. My group created a PowerPoint on the subject of the Pirate Political Party in Europe, specifically Germany. Our group used various sources online to find different information about this very new political party. The main website we used in our research was: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirate_Party. This website has up to date information on the political party, and it also gives a brief history of the party. Our group interacted and worked together on this project through the use of e-mail, and in person. Members of our group would e-mail each other information for our PowerPoint, and we also e-mailed about where and when we would meet in person to work on our project. Before researching our topic, I knew absolutely nothing about the Pirate Political Party. After researching about them for the past week, I found myself to actually follow some of their beliefs, and support some of their ideas. They are an extremely small political party which gets a very low ammount of votes in elections. Even with their low vote count, they countinue to fight for their beliefs, and will continue to fight during future elections. They attract most of their attention from the generations youth, due to the fact that they are very technologically advanced and orientated. They have shown some positive growth in the past few years, but since they were founded in 2006, they are still a relatively weak party.

1. Saxony-Anhalt

1.1 Saxony-Anhalt is bordered by Brandenburg in the nottheast, Saxony and Thuringia in the south and Lower Saxony in the northwest.
It has a population of 2.34 million people, as of 2010.
Anhalt's size is 20,445 sq. km

1.2 Anhalt's economy nearly collapsed in 1990. Since then, their economy has transformed into a modern market economy. Today, Saxony-Anhalt has the lowest rate of unemployment throuighout Germany.
The main industrial sources of revenue in Saxony-Anhalt are: Chemical plants, wind farms, and farming, due to their extremely abundent soil.
Saxony-Anhalt has numerous trade partners around the woeld, due to their dealings with chemical plants and farming.


1.3 Saxony-Anhalt offers a unique geography. There are vast plains, tall mountains, numberous vinyards, and also rural and metropolitain cities.
The biggest cities are: Magdeburg, which is the capital city, and Halle.
Some smaller cities are: Altmark, and its bordering cities.

1.5 Saxony-Anhalt joined the federal republic in the year 1990. Before 1948, Anhalt was ruled by the US Army, as well as the Soviet Union.
Saxony-Anhalt was named after Anhalt Castle, which is near Hazgerode. The origins of the naming of the castle remain unknown.

2. Saxony-Anhalt offers a very old fashioned and unique architecture. There are old cathedrals and monuments which use a more Gothic type of architecture.The Cathedral of Magdeburg, and the market places of both Halle and Wittenburg were among the most impressive looking building structures that I found.
One thing that I found interesting about their local customs is their religion. The religion is mainly Luthern, but under a Communist rule. Due to this rule, more people are leaving churches rather than attending them. As of 2010, over 80% of the population no longer attended church in Saxony-Anhalt.
The most famous person from Anhalt, is Martin Luther. Mathin Luther founded the Luthern belief, which he based off of Christianity.
Hugo Junkers is also another famous man from Anhalt.

3. The resources used in this blog were: www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:LandkreiseSachsenAnhalt2007.png
www.sachsen-anhalt.de/index.phd?id=21182
www.citypopulation.de/Deutschland-Sachsen-Anhalt.html