Germans

Germania romana

HRR 10Jh

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Bevölkerung Mitteleuropas um 895

Holy Roman Empire 1648

Map-GermanConfederation

Mass Grave at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp - Fritz Klein - IWM BU4260

Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe, who share a common German culture, language and have a shared history in Germany. There are approximately 100 million native speakers of German in the world, making it the most spoken mother tongue in the European Union.

History

The history of the Germans dates back to the Iron Age in Northern Europe and is characterized by several distinct periods including the Migration Period, during which various Germanic tribes moved across Europe. The Holy Roman Empire, a multi-ethnic complex of territories in Central Europe, developed during the Middle Ages and played a significant role in the history of the German people until its dissolution in 1806. In the 19th century, the Unification of Germany under Prussian leadership was a pivotal moment, leading to the establishment of the German Empire in 1871.

Culture

German culture has been influenced by major intellectual and popular currents in Europe, both religious and secular. Historically, Germany has been called Das Land der Dichter und Denker (the country of poets and thinkers) because of its significant contributions to literature, philosophy, science, and music. Germany is well known for its contributions to classical music, with composers such as Ludwig van Beethoven, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Richard Wagner. The country's influence extends to philosophy, with figures such as Immanuel Kant, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Karl Marx.

Language

The German language belongs to the West Germanic group of the Indo-European language family, along with English, Dutch, and several other languages. It is one of the world's major languages and the most widely spoken first language in the European Union. German is divided into several dialects, with Standard German being the official written and spoken form.

Geographical Distribution

While Germany remains the heartland of the German people, significant numbers of ethnic Germans live in other countries, including Austria, Switzerland, the United States, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, and Russia. The reasons for this diaspora include economic migration and displacement from war and political changes in Europe over the centuries.

Religion

The Reformation in the 16th century, led by Martin Luther, had a profound effect on German society and led to the division of Christianity in Germany into Catholicism and Protestantism. Today, Germany is roughly evenly divided between Roman Catholics and Protestants, with a small Muslim minority.

Modern Day Germany

Today, Germany is a federal parliamentary republic, known for its leadership in European and global affairs, its strong economy, and its advancements in science and technology. It is a founding member of the European Union and the Eurozone, and its influence extends across political, economic, and cultural spheres.