OK folks, I'm a little puzzled here. Reich is German for Empire. The first German 'Reich' occurred after the Franco-Prussian war, when the independent German States united to fight the evil French. Hitler wanted to establish a 'Third' Reich (German Empire). My question is when the Second Reich occurred. When did the First 'Reich' collapse, and when did the Second Reich arise? I always thought that the First Reich occurred from just after the Franco-Prussian War up until the end of WWI, where Germany was crushed. But obviously that is wrong, since there must have been a second Reich! Stupid question, I know, but it's been niggling at me for some time. And experts in German History here? *cough* Hapsburg *cough*
The First Reich (800-1806) – known mostly as the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation (not the ancient Roman Empire) developed from a division of the Carolingian Empire in 843, and existed in varying forms until August 6, 1806 with the abdication of Emperor Franz II. For almost a millennium the Germans expanded their influence with help of the Catholic Church. The Second Reich was proclaimed in Versailles on January 18th, 1871, after the French defeat. This was due to the efforts of Otto von Bismarck, Germany's most prominent statesman of the 19th century, known for an anti-Catholic "Kulturkampf" (culture-struggle) and for fighting Socialists with social reforms. The Second Reich was a good time for the Germans, but ended during World War I. After World War I, the Weimar Republic was established. Economic hardship, due to both harsh peace conditions and the world wide Great Depression, contributed to making the democracy unpopular. Anti-democratic parties, both right-wing and left-wing, were increasingly supported by German opinion leaders and voters. In the extraordinary elections of 1932, the anti-democratic Nazis received over 70% of the votes. On January 30, 1933, Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany, and with the 'Enabling Act' on March 23, 1933, a wide majority of the parliament effectively disbanded the constitution of the Weimar Republic. The Third Reich was that of the Nazis, which lasted 12 years, from 1933 to 1945. In 1934, Hitler seized total control of government when he succeeded the President of Germany. Hitler's policy of ‘annexing’ neighboring territories was one of several reasons that led to the European outbreak of World War II on September 1, 1939. Initially, Germany had many military successes, and gained control over most of Europe's mainland. After attacking the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941, which meant a two-front war for the Third Reich, the tide began to turn. Also Hitler's declaration of war against the United States on December 11, 1941 did not help. On May 8, 1945, Germany surrendered after the Red Army seized Berlin, Germany's capitol where Hitler had committed suicide. Source The dates seem to roughly agree with various other encyclopedia sites, though it seems the consensus that the Second Reich ended in 1918.
Wow, thanks one_raven! I obviously was quite off key regarding the history of the Reichs! I love learning about German history, though. Ever since they whipped the Romans at Teutoburger Wald, they've had a very proud history.
To bad Germany couldn't use their powers of businesses to create a better market overseas for their goods than trying to take over countries around them.
The First Reich was the Holy Roman Empire, founded in 800 AD by charlemagne. After a lapse in 924, the Imperial title was lost. Meanwhile, the East Frankish Kingdom became the Kingdom of the Germans, led by Henry I, the Fowler. His son, Otto I, the Great, became German King in 936. In 962, Otto was crowned "Roman Emperor". This re-start of the Carolingian Empire lasted until 1806. So, in a certain sense, the H.R.E was a thousand-year reich, which was one of hitler's ultimate goals. The Second Reich was the unification of the German nations into a federal union of monarchs- the German Empire. This lasted from 1871 to 1918, when the monarchs of the various states abdicated. The Third Reich was hitler's empire, though there were no Emperors for this Empire... Hope that explains it, eh.
the third reich which will last 1000 years Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
You know what would be really funny? If Germany started WWIII. I mean, we should have seen it coming, but just thought, you know, that'd be too obvious.
That wouldn't make any damn sense. France, probably....they've always wanted a piece o' dat Rhine, now that they've got a taste, they might go after more...just a matter of time, just a matter of time . . .
What do you mean it wouldn't make any sense? It'd make more sense than France being the aggressor, though both countries are thoroughly passified.
You kiddin' me? Germany's aggressive war-spirit has been exhausted after the horrors they caused and witnessed in Doulbe-Ewe Double-Ewe Two. France, since the middle ages, has been jumpin' at that rhine. With all the shit going on, with it being disgruntled with the EU and going off to build it's own fighter jet instead of the Typhoon...who knows?
There is/was something fascinating about Hitler and the German language. Please do not pounce on me about this. I was not sympathetic to the Nazi cause. I was old enough to remember WW2, but too young to be in the military. I remember hearing recordings of Hitler’s speeches and seeing film clips of him delivering them. I did not understand a word of German and considered Germany an enemy. Still, I was captivated by Hitler when I saw and heard him speak. There was a fervor that seemed to convince you that he was championing a worthy cause. At the emotional level, he appealed, even though your intellect told you he was evil. After the war, there was a movie about the Battle of the Bulge. In that movie, Robert Shaw played a blond German tank commander. There is a scene in which he is given a large number of new tanks and teenage crews to man them. When told that the teenagers will die for the Nazi cause, he replies that they are too young to have lived yet, suggesting that there is little hope for the German cause due to their youth and lack of experience. At that point, the teenagers are told to sing some German military song. They sing while stamping their feet in time to the music. The music and the words made me temporarily root for them to win the upcoming battles. It was an emotion stirring scene and a weird feeling. There is something about that language which stirs martial passions, even if you cannot speak or understand it.
Hapsburg seems to have posted a reply to my previous post, but I do not see it. I got email notification of his post, but saw no post after mine. The email message made it obvious that he was relying to my post.
i wish i could answer...i suck at history...sorry Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! Rick
Dinosaur: The Germans needed someone like Hitler, who soothed their shattered ego after being forced to take responsibility for the war (contrary to what they expected from the 14 points). Who turned chaos into order (even if that order was Nazi regimentation). Who solved the problem of unemployment, and helped deal with inflation.
Kiwi: Oh look, the spammer continues to miss the point. Did I make any factual errors in my previous post? Isn't it true that Hitler turned chaos into order (even if it was Nazi Regimentation)?. Isn't it true that he solved the problem of unemployment? Isn't it true to he helped to sooth the Germans' shattered ego? Isn't it true that before Hitler, Germans spent their whole life savings to buy a loaf of bread? By just focusing on the bad Hitler done, you are displaying your inherent bias. I am merely giving credit where credit is due.
Then in that case Mountainhre, you're displaying your inherent bias by expressing his good points. Agreed, credit was due, alot of credit infact; but that credit died when he went on his 'European Tour' and expressed his unfounded hatred of the Jews.
