The changing states, societies and political orders of central Europe and modern Germany.
German history includes the Holy Roman Empire, competing states, national unification, dictatorship, division and reunification. A unified German nation-state existed only from 1871.
The history must connect economic and cultural achievement with imperial violence, two world wars, the Holocaust and difficult post-war reckoning.
The Holy Roman Empire and German Confederation contained many political units. Prussian power and nationalist movements produced unification under an emperor in 1871.
The Weimar Republic created democratic institutions under severe pressure. Nazis exploited crisis and elite support, then built a racial dictatorship and launched genocidal war.
Occupation produced West and East German states in 1949. Different political systems developed until peaceful revolution in East Germany and international agreement enabled reunification in 1990.
Settlement ended the Thirty Years' War and confirmed a plural political order.
Unification followed Prussian-led wars.
Defeat ended monarchy and produced the Weimar constitution.
Hitler's appointment began the destruction of democracy.
The Federal Republic and German Democratic Republic were founded.
Mass pressure and political confusion opened the border.
The eastern states joined the Federal Republic.
Why was German unification delayed until 1871?
Was Weimar doomed?
How did post-war Germans confront Nazi crimes?
Begin with the foundations, then move into the events, people and debates that add detail and complexity.
MediumBuild a secure chronological foundation in German History through ten sourced questions and teaching explanations.
Start quiz →
MediumConnect causes, consequences and historical interpretation across the essential German History guide.
Start quiz →
