How Germany Found Culture in Wars(a)|烽火中的德国

How Germany Found Culture in Wars

by Olivia Wycech

The Germans know a thing or two about war, but they know even more about beer.

　　When a small country sets out to change the world and almost succeeds, you know it's got a good story to tell. Over the last century, Germany has changed the face of not only Europe but the entire world. Being one of the European Union's most powerful nations, it possesses military, economic, and diplomatic strength, which allows it to exert influence far beyond its borders. The most significant milestone in Germany's tumultuous history was when Adolf Hitler famously established the country as a totalitarian state and led its allies into World War II and the subsequent Holocaust.

　　Germany lost the war and was soon split into two states, East and West Germany. It was divided quite literally, with a concrete wall being erected in 1961. The wall symbolized Communism and a lack of freedom throughout the country's nearly 30-year Cold War. It was not until 1989, after much social unrest and bloodshed, that the wall was destroyed and Germany was reunified. This event is known as the fall of the Berlin Wall. But while it still stood, the wall was a showcase for art and propaganda, some of which still stands today.

　　The people of Germany persevered, and the country has emerged as a global powerhouse. Through its contentious past, the country is now rich with history and culture. Tourists, students, and business tycoons are all flocking to Germany, hoping to reap the benefits of its vibrant culture and prosperous economy. Germany often ranks high on the lists that identify the best places to live in the world. This is probably a testament to the country's extremely high standard of living and education and health systems that are among the best in the world.

 

烽火中的德国

德国人对战争知之甚详，但他们对啤酒了解得更多。

　　当一个小国家开始改变这个世界，而且差点成功，你就知道其中一定有精彩的故事可以讲。在上个世纪，德国不仅改变了欧洲的风貌，也改变了整个世界。身为欧盟中最强盛的国家之一，德国握有军事、经济及外交力量，这些都使得该国的影响力无远弗界。在德国动荡的历史中最重大的里程碑就是阿道夫．希特勒将这个国家建立为著名的极权国家，并且带领盟国参加了第二次世界大战以及之后对犹太人的大屠杀。

　　德国在第二次世界大战中战败，而且很快便分裂为两个国家──东德和西德。这个国家就像字面上一样分为东西两边，中间有一座建于 1961 年的混凝土墙。这座墙象征了共产主义及该国将近 30 年的冷战中有多么缺乏自由。一直到 1989 年，在经过许多的动荡和流血事件之后，这座墙终于被摧毁，而德国也重新统一。这个事件就是众所皆知的柏林围墙倒塌。但在这座墙存在的期间，它是艺术和宣传活动的展示地点，其中有些至今仍然存在。

　　德国人民生性不屈不挠，而该国也成了世界强国。由于德国备受争议的过去，使得该国现今的历史和文化都很多元。游客、学生和企业大亨都聚集到德国，希望能从该国充满活力的文化及繁荣的经济获得好处。德国在票选世界上最适合居住的地方时经常名列前茅。这大概就证明了该国相当高的生活水平及全世界数一数二的教育及医疗体系。