Role of the German military in 20th and 21st centuries.

The early 20th century was very destructive for the German state. With WW1 The Germans had the most powerful army and the second most powerful navy, The war was caused by Austria's Crown prince was assassinated. The war left over 2 million German soldiers dead, The economy in ruins because they were forced to pay all war reparations. Post war Germany was not allowed to have a standing army or Navy.  This caused the Rise of Adolf Hitler, who felt Germany was ashamed and moved the German people and the country to starting WW2 with the 1939 invasion of Poland. During the course of the war between 3.25 million and 5.3 million soldiers were killed, and between 1 and 3 million German civilians were killed. This again caused the country to be in shambles separated by the Iron curtain. Democratic east and Communist west. Each area had established its own standing army. Post Cold war the newly formed Germany had around 360,000 soldiers.

The 21st century, the German army had around 7 divisions total. 5 mechanized (each with two mechanized brigades), 1 special forces, and one airmobile division. Germany is now allied with NATO and actively participates in NATO operations around the world. The active duty and reserve component of the military both man and women is around 115,000 man and women.

Relations to Germanys immediate neighbors in 18th and 19th centuries

in the 1700's the Prussian empire occupied the territory in current Germany. Sweden was defeated by Russia, Saxony, Poland, Denmark–Norway, Hanover, and Prussia in the Great Northern War (1700–1721). This war ceased Swedish power in The Baltic Sea.
From 1740-1760 Prussia was at War with Austria and in 1748 Prussia gained the territory of Silesia. humiliated Austria formed and alliance with France and Russia while Prussia sought help from England. Defeating the Austrian army at the Battle of Burkersdorf and relying on British success against France, Prussia was finally able to force a status quo ante bellum on the continent. This result confirmed Prussia's major role within the German states and was established as a European great power. Frederick caused near-defeat of Prussia, and ruled as a much more peaceable ruler.

During the 1800's Napoleon had his war, at first Prussia was allied with France and invaded British territories. But as the war progressed Prussia had half its territories cut in 1807 with Napoleons first defeat. In the second Napoleanic war, Prussia was occupied but allied with france, with French defeat inevitable. Prussia sided with Russia and defeated the French in 1812.

Germany was finally unified in 1862, after the Franco-Prussian War.

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Prussia

Berlin Calling

Berlin Calling follows a DJ in Berlin as he deals with drugs, drama, and putting out his new album

1. What do drugs mean to  Ickarus?

Drugs are almost everything everything to him. They are how he deals with stress, anger, as well as when he goes on stage and performs.

2. When, why, and how are his fans taking drugs, and which drugs do they take?

His fans take drugs during his performances and afterwards. They take them to enjoy his music and that is also the culture surrounding Techno music. The drugs I've seen is Herion, Cocaine, Weed, Ecstacy, and DMT.

3.While we can see that his drug habits get him ill and into psychosis, and while we witness his relapse and inability to work successfully, why does the subculture Ickarus belongs to focus on drugs?

Because the Techno culture wants to be in another world, away from their problems. Hence the light shows and music. He believes that in order to make music that is good enough for his fans, he has to be able to think and act like them. So he takes the same drugs as they do.

Question 4: Compare the standards you know from your home society with the people you see depicted in this movie. Which are the stark differences and contrasts?

I come from small town USA. So doing drugs is extremely frowned upon, and doing them in public is a no no as well. I know people who are very open to this kind of thing with the Techno subculture and have done this kind of thing. They are very open about it. Ive always been raised to keep your private life that.

5. Germany is considered a strong industrial nation the world over. Do you think that the youth culture as depicted here could change that? How about work ethics of Ickarus and of Alice, the label director who fires and then resigns him?

This is a very small group of people, and this is found all over the world. Many people that I have come across do the things they do. Yes listening to Techno has become more popular over the last few years, however more people are aware that doing the drugs and doing the things these people do is very detrimental to the human body. So unless people suddenly think that cocaine and heroin are good for you I don't think this would be detrimental to Gemany or the world. Without drugs Ickarus is very groggy and unable to make music, so he is very dependent on the drugs to do what he does. Alice is very driven and wants the best for Ickarus.

6. Which similar “cult movies” of US origin have you seen, if any?

I have seen a few that are similar to Berlin Calling. The first one being Trainspotting  It tells of the story of some young adults in Britain who are Heroin addicts. The other one I've seen is Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.  It stars Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro, and Tobey MacGuire. Its based in the 70's and has a huge drug culture base in there as well.