History of Germany Lecture Notes

Introduction

• "Germany" name given by Romans (Germania)
• History of Germany is about people and regions, not just a single nation
• Focus on history beyond the World Wars

Ancient History

• Modern humans in Germany 35,000 years ago
• Germanic peoples arrived ~3,000 years ago due to migration from Scandinavia
• Germanic languages and cultures distinct
• Interaction with Celts, Slavs, Baltic peoples

Roman Contact

• Sparse written records; knowledge from archaeology, linguistics, genetics
• Early fragments from Greek explorer Pytheas of Massalia
• More detailed Roman accounts (e.g. Julius Caesar)
• Roman attempts to expand into Germania
  • Varus and Arminius (Battle of Teutoburg Forest)
  • Romanization halted

Post-Roman Influence

• Germanic tribes impacted Rome
• Migration due to Huns
• Integration and Christianization under Rome
• Successor states formed by Germanic rulers

Early Medieval Ages

• Rise of Franks (Clovis I, Merovingian dynasty)
• Partable inheritance hindered unified growth
• Carolingian dynasty (Charlemagne)
  • Carolingian Renaissance
  • Christianization of Saxons
• Division of Carolingian Empire (Treaty of Verdun)
  • Emergence of France and Germany

Holy Roman Empire

• Saxon Dynasty (Henry the Fowler and Otto the Great)
• Expansion and influence under Otto I
  • Battle of Lechfeld
  • Holy Roman Emperor title

Investiture Controversy

• Conflict between Pope and Emperor (e.g. Henry IV and Pope Gregory VII)
• Walk to Canossa
• Decline in centralized power

High Middle Ages

• Hohenstaufen Dynasty
  • Frederick Barbarossa
  • Italian campaigns and the Lombard League
• Attempts to establish German influence in Italy

Later Developments

• Rise of Habsburgs and the Golden Bull (1356)
• Black Death impacts
• Hussite Wars

Conclusion

• Brief overview of future topics (Reformation, unification, World Wars)
• Encouragement to view further resources

This summary captures the key points from the lecture, including major events, figures, and themes in German history, particularly focusing on the dynamics between German tribes and the Roman Empire, the development of the Holy Roman Empire, and significant conflicts and changes in medieval and early modern Germany.