The First Crusade is divided into two main parts: The Peasant’s Crusade in which thousands of peasants led by religious leaders and some nobles decided to march to the Holy Land, and the real First Crusade which took place later and which was made up of knights and soldiers. The Peasant’s Crusade is often theContinue reading “May 18th in German History: The Worms Massacre”
Tag Archives: Today in History
May 17th in German History: German Forces Occupy Belgium
One often overlooked chapter of the Second World War is the German invasion of Belgium. While the Battle of France is often studied, the Battle of Belgium which came before it was still vital to the course of the war. It saw the Belgian army along with British and French forces attempt to hold backContinue reading “May 17th in German History: German Forces Occupy Belgium”
May 16th in German History: Helmut Schmidt Becomes Chancellor
On May 16th, 1974, Helmut Schmidt became Chancellor of West Germany. Schmidt was the successor to Willy Brandt, who had attempted to improve relations with eastern Europe while maintaining relations with the US. Brandt had resigned due to a corruption scandal and Schmidt assumed the position of Chancellor unelected. Schmidt perused closer ties with theContinue reading “May 16th in German History: Helmut Schmidt Becomes Chancellor”
May 15th German History: The Birth of Klemens von Metternich
Klemens von Metternich, while perhaps not the most famous German statesman in history, was critically important in the formation of the post-Napoleonic European order. His efforts at the Congress of Vienna helped to preserve a conservative Europe for nearly a century and, with a few exceptions, maintained peace in Europe for the rest of theContinue reading “May 15th German History: The Birth of Klemens von Metternich”
May 14th in German History: The Warsaw Pact is Established
A few days ago, I discussed the anniversary of West Germany joining NATO. Today is the anniversary not of a free nation joining a military alliance of its own accord, but of a puppet state joining a hegemony. The Warsaw Pact was created to ensure Soviet control over Eastern Europe as democracy and capitalism becameContinue reading “May 14th in German History: The Warsaw Pact is Established”
May 13th in Germany History: Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat
On May 13th, Winston Churchill, newly made Prime Minister of Great Britain, gave his famous “Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat” speech. In it, he declared that Britain would fight until victory was achieved. This speech was delivered during the Battle of France, and within six weeks France would fall to Germany. Following the fall ofContinue reading “May 13th in Germany History: Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat”
May 12th in German History: The Berlin Blockade Ends
On May 12th, 1949, the Soviet Union lifted its blockade on West Berlin. The lifting of the blockade ended the “Berlin Airlift”, the operation in which the British and Americans used planes to fly massive amounts of supplies to Berlin. The blockade had been instituted in June of 1948 by Joseph Stalin, who thought thatContinue reading “May 12th in German History: The Berlin Blockade Ends”
May 11th in German History: Klaus Barbie Charged with Crimes Against Humanity
Germany has no shortage of war criminals and villains in its history. Most famous of these is, of course, Adolf Hitler, but readers may also have heard of Joseph Mengele or Adolf Eichmann. One of the less well-known World War II war criminals was Klaus Barbie, or the Butcher of Lyon. Klaus had joined theContinue reading “May 11th in German History: Klaus Barbie Charged with Crimes Against Humanity”
May 10th in German History: The Franco-Prussian War Ends
With the exception of the Napoleonic Wars, the Franco-Prussian War was perhaps the most important in 19th century Europe. It saw the Kingdom of Prussia and her German allies quickly defeat the armies of Napoleon the Third and occupy Paris, surprising the neutral powers and destroying the Third French Empire. Its most significant result, however,Continue reading “May 10th in German History: The Franco-Prussian War Ends”
May 9th in German History: Germany Joins NATO and Friederich Schiller Dies
Yesterday I discussed Germany’s surrender in the Second World War. Today, I want to talk about how the nation allied. Following the Cold War, the United States created the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to prevent its former allies, the Soviet Union, from spreading Communism through Europe. On May 9th of 1955, its former enemy, Germany,Continue reading “May 9th in German History: Germany Joins NATO and Friederich Schiller Dies”
German History 