Brief History of Germany

 

The Germanic tribes are believed to have existed in what is today northern Germany since around 500 B.C. These tribes further traveled and settled in the central and southern regions of Germany. These conclusions are based on information regarding the interaction of these tribes with the Roman Empire.

Germany in the medieval period

Merovech ruled the Germanic Kingdom during the medieval period (starting in around 500 A.D.), moreover defeating and exerting control over the Gallo-Romans and Frankish tribes. This period would later be termed as the Merovingian dynasty.

After the second half of the eighth century, King Charlemagne conquered parts of northern Italy and western Germany, including the dominant states of Saxony, Lombardy and Bavaria. His dynasty was known as the Carolingian dynasty. His kingdom was quite large and the Pope crowned him Emperor in Rome at the end of the 8th century. The Carolingian empire was also called the “Holy Roman Empire.” This Empire was further divided into several areas due to in fighting between King Charlemagne’s heirs.

The eastern Frankish Kingdom made Conrad I the first German King at the beginning of the 10th century. Otto the Great, who was the son of Henry I –Duke of Saxony and the successor of Conrad I, was a very able administrator. He not only overpowered territorial dukes but also expanded the empire and was formally crowned King of the Romans. This period was also known as ‘The Saxon Dynasty’ period.

The Salian dynasty succeeded the Saxon dynasty. It ruled mostly from the early 11th century to the early 12th century and the Salian Kings were able to establish their kingdom as the major power in Europe. The Kings of the Salian dynasty included Conrad II, Henry III, Henry IV and Henry V.

Other successor dynasties included the Hohenstaufen dynasty and the Habsburgs Empire, which lasted until the early 19th century.

For most of the 19th century, chiefly after the fall of Napoleon, there were several reformations and revolutions in Europe as whole, which directly affected Germany in one way or another.

The German Empire

The state of Germany as a single unified nation came into existence in the later part of the19th century. It was decided that the country should have a ruler who had to compete with a parliament elected by the public by secret ballot. The Emperor controlled foreign affairs and defense through his ministers.

Later, following World War II, Germany was transformed into two countries: the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) and the German Democratic Republic (East Germany).

Finally, on October 3, 1990 Germany was officially unified as a single nation.