WJU Students, Berlin & its History: An Appraisal, Part III

The Kaiser Wilhelm Gedaechtniskirche

Our next post comes from Marque Marry, class of '15.

As a country, Germany has gone through many incarnations during its existence. While being fortunate enough to attend a Jesuit University that recognizes the importance that culture plays on shaping an individuals mind, body, and spirit, I along with other WJU students received the opportunity to see the many different rebirths that Germany has gone through, as reflected in its political leaders, architecture, and history. Two periods that were portrayed vastly differently from one another while we toured lush and vibrant palaces or dug through the hidden and secretive histories of Germany during World War II, were the Prussian/Imperial Period and the era of the Third Reich (the Second World War and the Holocaust).





On our journey to Berlin and Potsdam, I was able to see the palaces of great political and military leaders who shaped a country during the Prussian and Imperial Periods. I walked through the Sanssouci Palace of Frederick the Great, where he vacationed during the summertime. The tour that was scheduled for this grand vacation home taught me many things about Germany during this time, and also its political leadership.

Schloss Sanssouci

Unlike many other princes of the time, Frederick the Great came to the realization that he needed to build up the state, because the King will eventually die, but the state will stand long after. This was shown through the rooms in his home that were not as vibrant, and his iconic portrait of himself in only his army jacket. This showed that Frederick cared more about his people than most other European monarchs. Also, the “jungle room” showed the many cultural influences that this leader and Prussia itself gained from others. The gardens surrounding this castle were lush and perfectly trimmed, showing the time that was spent on details. In great contrast to this baroque time period, the time of the Second World War was presented much differently to us through the many 
museums and landmarks we were lucky enough to experience.

 The Second World War and the atrocities that were committed by the SS and Einsatzgruppen were presented to us, most powerfully by the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, and also the many quotes and stories that were collected and presented in the museum beneath the memorial of the many Jewish, Roma, Polish, etc. that perished during this time.