German Contributions to Western Civilization

Fülszöveg

Germán Contributions to Western Civilization The three main topics covered by these essays include (1) Germán contributions to Western Civilization, (2) the ethnic cleansing of the Germans after World War II, and (3) the fali of communism followed by the unification of Germany. Germán contributions are discussed especially as they relate to East Central Europe and America. During the early phase of their history, both of these regions were - what the Polish-American histórián Oscar Halecki has called - "Borderlands of Western Civilization." The cradle of Western Civilization has always been Western Europe. It is from there that the carriers of this Civilization - the Germans - spread advanced Western culture to the regions east of the Elba and west of the Mississippi. In the case of East Central Europe the Germán role was especially pronounced. It involved the Christianizing, civilizing, and urbanizing of that region. German-built cities - whose genesis is still recognizable through... Tovább

Fülszöveg

Germán Contributions to Western Civilization The three main topics covered by these essays include (1) Germán contributions to Western Civilization, (2) the ethnic cleansing of the Germans after World War II, and (3) the fali of communism followed by the unification of Germany. Germán contributions are discussed especially as they relate to East Central Europe and America. During the early phase of their history, both of these regions were - what the Polish-American histórián Oscar Halecki has called - "Borderlands of Western Civilization." The cradle of Western Civilization has always been Western Europe. It is from there that the carriers of this Civilization - the Germans - spread advanced Western culture to the regions east of the Elba and west of the Mississippi. In the case of East Central Europe the Germán role was especially pronounced. It involved the Christianizing, civilizing, and urbanizing of that region. German-built cities - whose genesis is still recognizable through their architecture - have dotted this region from Riga and Königsberg (Kaliningrad), down to such Transylvanian cities as Hermannstadt (Nagyszeben, Sibiu) and Kronstadt (Brassó, Brasov) through the past eight centuries. As the Germans spread eastward and southward during the High Middle Ages, they brought with them their know-how in city building, technology, agriculture, as well as intellectual achievements. In the 20th century, the civilizing mission of the Germans suffered immeasurably. Having come under the influence of a psychopath, for a moment in history (1933-1945) somé of them ceased to be heralds of Western Christian Culture. For this the whole Germán nation was forced to endure much anguish and suffering, especially those who became innocent victims of postwar ethnic cleansing. We are convinced that it is only a question of time before the Germans will again assume their former role as builders, disseminators, and promoters of knowledge within Western Culture and Civilization. Vissza