At our June meeting we went over the Versailles Treaty and the consequences that happened because of it. It is worth noting that a number of wars can be sheeted home to the Treaty of Versailles and the influence our Prime Minister had on it.
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We also discussed the Weimar republic. The Weimar republic was a genuine attempt at good government that was never accepted. The Weimar Republic had strict proportional representation. It had strict civil rights for all. It had one vote one value. It had universal suffrage for both males and females. Governments had to have a more than 50% majority in Parliament.

A myriad of balances were built in to ensure democracy reigned and no one group could take advantage.

It accepted the conditions of the Versailles Treaty and attempted to comply with its conditions.
It goes without saying that pretty well all political classes, all individual parties and all pressure groups hated it with a passion.

Next month we will discuss the Nazi Period.

We are slowly moving toward the GDR.

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Neville Gibb

On Tuesday 25 May we concentrated on Otto Von Bismark and Kaiser Wilhelm the second.

Bismark was one of the worlds great politicians who was able to reconcile most conflicts both within Germany and conflicts between Germany and other states. He instituted universal suffrage and universal welfare but remained a dedicated monarchist who believed implicitly in claiming the privileged classes were best suited to govern the country. More specifically he himself was best suited to run the government.

Wilhelm the second had much the same thoughts. This led to conflict that was only resolved by Bismarks removal in 1890.

Kaiser Wilhelm or Kaiser William was grandson of Queen Victoria. Some said her favourite grandson.

In the years 1871 to 1890 Germany became the dominant country in Europe. These were the years when both men were in office. After 1890 the Kaiser tried to outdo the UK in military spending.

We also asked the question - who started the first world war?

We resolved that it wasn’t Germany.

But Germany was forced to take the blame and was severely punished by the Treaty of Versailles.

Next month we will be concentrating on The Weimar Republic.

We are slowly working our way towards the German Democratic Republic.

Neville Gibb

At our last meeting I attempted to describe German Culture.  German Culture existed long before the German State did and was admired and even held in awe by all other European people. It influenced most societies which considered themselves civilised.

But who was German?
Who came first, Bach or Beethoven?
Who considered themselves German? 
Where did Germany start or Germany end?
Which countries made up Germany?

We listened to some music that is considered German. We read some German Poetry that has been put to music.

At our next meeting we will concentrate on three German Personalities. Luther. Metternich and Bismark.

​Neville Gibb

The history of Germany can be classed as controversial on several levels. For instance - when did Germany come into existence. We all have our own view on history but can we say with confidence - who was German?  We will be looking into such subjects over several weeks.

Before our Covid hiatus we had one session on the German connection with the UK Royal Family. 

The conventional history of Germany can be split into a number of periods.
1. The pre Empire.
2. The Empire period
3. The Weimar period.
4. The Nazi period.
5. The German Democratic Republic period.
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We will be concentrating on the evolution of German Culture and certain aspects consistent with all periods.
 
The first class of A Different View of German History will be held on Tuesday 23rd February from 2 to 4 pm in the U3A Meeting Room provided building renovations/maintenance has been completed.   


Neville Gibb

Unfortunately we will not be able to meet and discuss Germany's History for the foreseeable future due to COVID-19 regulations.  However when we do return we will be even keener to take part in U3A activities.
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It is worth noting that the Berlin Wall has now been down longer than it was up. I have opened up my slide boxes and discovered some slides that show the wall in 1970. We will see them when we return.

In modern Berlin little evidence of the Wall exists.   In the tour groups that we went on I was the only person old enough to have seen both sides of the wall. Not that anyone was impressed. Especially the tour guides.

​When we return we will be spending a full day on East Berlin. I hope everyone is looking forward to it.

Neville