German History and Timeline

Germany’s history is a story of transformation, resilience, and influence, stretching from ancient times to the modern era. It includes the rise of powerful empires, cultural and scientific achievements, and pivotal roles in major global events. From the Germanic tribes’ resistance to Roman expansion to the unification of the country in the 19th century and through the challenges of world wars and the Cold War, Germany has repeatedly reshaped itself. Its rich history reflects a nation that has endured profound changes while leaving a lasting mark on Europe and the world.

• 1st Century B.C.E.: Germanic tribes, such as the Suebi, Cherusci, and Goths, are first mentioned in Roman accounts. These tribes inhabit regions east of the Rhine and resist Roman control.

• 9 C.E.: In the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, Germanic tribes led by Arminius ambush and destroy three Roman legions under Varus. This decisive victory halts Roman expansion into Germania and establishes the Rhine as the boundary between the Roman Empire and Germanic lands.

• 476 C.E.: The fall of the Western Roman Empire sees Germanic tribes like the Vandals, Goths, and Franks taking control of former Roman territories. The Franks, under King Clovis, consolidate power in regions that include parts of modern Germany.

• 768-814: Charlemagne rules as king of the Franks and later emperor of the Carolingian Empire. He unites much of Western Europe under his rule, including most of what is now Germany. His reign brings about a cultural and educational revival, often called the Carolingian Renaissance.

• 843: The Treaty of Verdun divides the Carolingian Empire among Charlemagne’s grandsons. East Francia, roughly corresponding to modern Germany, emerges as one of the three sections.

• 10th Century: Otto I, duke of Saxony, becomes king of East Francia in 936 and then consolidates power under the Holy Roman Empire, of which is he crowned emperor in 962.

• 12th and 13th Centuries: The Hanseatic League, a network of German merchant guilds, dominates trade in the Baltic and North Seas.

• 1517: Martin Luther, a German monk and theologian, publishes his “95 Theses” in Wittenberg, criticizing the Catholic Church’s practices, particularly the sale of indulgences. This sparks the Protestant Reformation, leading to religious, social, and political upheaval across Europe.

• 1618-48: The Thirty Years’ War begins as a conflict between Catholic and Protestant states in the Holy Roman Empire and evolves into a broader European war involving major powers like France, Sweden, and Spain. The war devastates Germany, with massive loss of life and destruction. It ends with the Peace of Westphalia, which grants greater autonomy to the empire’s states.

• 1806: The Holy Roman Empire is dissolved after Napoleon defeats the Austrians. German states are reorganized into the Confederation of the Rhine under French influence.

• 1815: After Napoleon’s defeat, the Congress of Vienna creates the German Confederation, a loose association of 39 German states, dominated by Austria and Prussia. This period sees the growth of nationalism and movements for unification.

• 1866: The Austro-Prussian War (also known as the Seven Weeks’ War) pits Prussia against Austria. Prussia’s victory under Otto von Bismarck’s leadership consolidates northern German states under its influence, sidelining Austria.

• 1871: Following Prussia’s victory in the Franco-Prussian War, Germany is unified under Prussian dominance. The German Empire is proclaimed in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, with Wilhelm I as emperor and Otto von Bismarck as chancellor. This marks the rise of Germany as a major European power.

• 1914-18: Germany fights in World War I as part of the Central Powers, alongside Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. The war ends in defeat, and the Treaty of Versailles imposes harsh reparations, territorial losses, and military restrictions on Germany.

• 1918: The German Empire collapses. Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicates, and Germany becomes a republic, known as the Weimar Republic. The nation descends into a period of political instability and economic hardship.

• 1933: Adolf Hitler, leader of the Nazi Party, is appointed chancellor. The Nazis consolidate power, establishing a totalitarian regime that suppresses dissent and begins persecuting Jews and other minorities.

• 1939: World War II begins with Germany’s invasion of Poland on Sept. 1, prompting Britain and France to declare war on Germany. This marks the start of a global conflict as Nazi Germany, under Hitler, pursues aggressive expansion across Europe and perpetrates the Holocaust, murdering six million Jews and millions of others.

• 1945: World War II ends with Germany’s defeat. Allied forces occupy the country, leading to its division into four zones controlled by the United States, the Soviet Union, Britain, and France.

• 1949: West Germany (Federal Republic of Germany) is established as a democratic state aligned with the West, while East Germany (German Democratic Republic) becomes a socialist state under Soviet influence.

• 1961: The Berlin Wall is constructed, physically and ideologically dividing the territory and citizens of East and West Berlin. It becomes a symbol of the Cold War.

• 1989: The Berlin Wall falls following a wave of protests and political changes in Eastern Europe. This event paves the way for German reunification.

• 1990: Germany is officially reunified on Oct. 3. Berlin becomes the capital of the reunified country.

• 1993: Germany becomes a founding member of the European Union, playing a leading role in shaping its economic and political policies.

• 2005: Angela Merkel becomes Germany’s first female chancellor and the first to have been a citizen of the former East Germany. She leads Germany for 16 years, focusing on economic stability, European unity, and managing crises involving the Eurozone debt and an increase in refugees applying for asylum.

• 2021: Olaf Scholz becomes chancellor, succeeding Merkel. His government focuses on modernizing Germany’s economy, addressing climate change, and navigating a shifting geopolitical landscape.

This page was last updated with help by Marco Permunian