Case Study Part 1

German culture dates back over 1500 years and is rich with tradition. Although, the country is smaller than even some states in the United States of America, events throughout history have affected the culture in a way that makes the country uniquely diverse. The twentieth century only accounts for a small percentage of the culture in Germany, and yet the events that occurred have been significant in shaping the German people that the world knows today. The even that had the largest effect on the culture of Germany was the split of the country into two disconnected territories governed by two separate Allied Powers. At the time, the world viewed this as the safest tactic in order to prevent a third World War. West Germany was controlled by America. East Germany was controlled by Russia which at the time was the Soviet Union. Although this seemed fair in the terms of war, the Allied Powers did not realize the lasting effects that this decision would have on the people of East Germany.