History 249 is an introduction to the history of one of the most vexing and fascinating areas of Europe and the modern world: Germany. Enemy of the United States in two world wars, Germany has undoubtedly forever changed the destiny of our own country. Just as significantly, Germany has affected the fate of all of Europe. With 80 million citizens today as its political, spiritual, linguistic, cultural, and intellectual heirs, the German nation continues to puzzle and astonish the world. An acquaintance with its history is therefore of prime importance to anyone who wants to understand how Europe, Western civilization, and the world came to be the way they are today.

We will soon discover that one of the biggest problems in German history has been deciding just exactly what "Germany" is. It has been both more and less than those areas in central Europe where the German language has been spoken. No matter how we define it geographically, however, in the end "Germany" is nothing more than a collection of individual "Germans." They have ranged from such lofty intellects as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Ludwig van Beethoven and Thomas Mann to such crafty politicians as Otto von Bismarck, Konrad Adenauer, and Helmut Kohl. They have included such despots as Frederick the Great and William II, and such tyrants as communist leaders Walter Ulbricht and Erich Honecker. Above all towers the image of Adolf Hitler and his Nazi officials, who have forever linked the name of Germany with the horror and shame of a premeditated world war for conquest and genocide. In this course, we will study the effects of the actions of such Germans on the lives of their fellow Germans and on the rest of Europe and the world.

Textbook: You should purchase the required textbook, Hammer or Anvil? Modern Germany, 1648-Present by Holger H. Herwig.

Grades: Your grade for the course will be determined by the following percentages
 

Two quizzes, September 21 & November 16	30%
Midterm Essay Exam, October 20	35%
Final Essay Exam, December 14, 6:00-8:00 pm	35%

The quizzes will consist of questions that require very short answers. The midterm and final exams will have a quiz portion and an essay portion. The grading scale is as follows: A=90 and above; B=80-89.9; C=70-79.9; D=60-69.9; F=below 60. No extra credit work will be allowed.

Attendance and Make-up Quizzes and Exams: Roll will be taken at every class meeting. Students who miss more than two class periods (or a total of five hours of class time) for unexcused reasons may be failed for the course. Students who miss a quiz or exam for unexcused reasons will not be allowed to make it up and will receive a grade of zero for the quiz or exam. Students who have emergencies preventing their attendance in class at the time of the quiz or exam and who present acceptable proof may be allowed to take a make-up, which may differ in format from the quiz or exam the rest of the class has taken. Any make-ups that are allowed will take place at a time to be determined by the professor after consultation with all students involved.

Out-of-Class Contact: My office hours are Monday, 5:00-6:00 pm; Tuesday, 10:45-11:15 am & 8:30-9:30 pm; Thursday, 8:30-9:30 am & 10:45-11:15 am. You are encouraged to take note of these office hours, as well as my office location, phone numbers, e-mail address, and World Wide Web page address at the top of this syllabus. I will always value the opportunity to speak to you outside of class and look forward to seeing as many of you as possible during my office hours. If my office hours are not convenient for you, speak to me before or after class or call me and we will find a time that is convenient for both of us. I especially encourage the use of e-mail for quick replies to questions concerning the course. You can generally count on a response within a few hours, or by the next morning if you send me a message late at night.

Honesty: All work submitted for a grade in this class must be your own. For all quizzes and exams in class, students may use only the information in their own heads. Any deviation from these standards of honesty on any work submitted may result in penalties up to and including the grade of F for the entire course. If you have any questions about the propriety of any action, please call me in advance at one of the numbers at the top of the syllabus. I'll always be glad to hear from you.

Topic Outline: Germany's political history determines this outline, but we will also be discussing significant cultural and social developments. Some topics will be covered in more depth than others. Reading assignments are in italics.

1.The attempted revolutions of 1848 (Herwig, pp. 90-112)
2.Bismarck and German unification, 1862-1871 (Herwig, pp. 115-128)
3.The Second Empire, 1871-1914 (Herwig, pp. 128-189)
4.Germany and the First World War, 1914-1918 (Herwig, pp. 193-223)
5.The Weimar Republic, 1919-1933 (Herwig, pp. 227-263)
6.Nazi Germany, 1933-1939 (Herwig, pp. 267-308)
7.World War II and the Holocaust, 1939-1945 (Herwig, pp. 311-352)
8.Allied occupation, 1945-1949 (Herwig, pp. 355-363)
9.The era of the two Germanies, 1949-1989 (Herwig, pp. 363-428)
10.Unification, 1989-present (Herwig, pp. 431-453)

Warning: Any information on this syllabus may be superseded by verbal announcement in class. Be here everyday!