Background and History of Germany Holland & France Leadership

Background and History of Germany

Today, Germany is a very powerful Country and is a major player in world foreign affairs. It has an estimated population of 80.8 million people, with the largest population in the European Union. However it has taken Germany many years to reform their nation. After world war one the value of Germany's currency dropped significantly. Germany accepted defeat after a four year bloody battle with an estimated 1.6 million German deaths. Germany's economy begins to collapse under the weight of the Great War, due to repatriations demanded by the allies and the debt which was inflicted during the war. Inflation and unemployment begin to soar.

Hitler came into power in 1933 after he was appointed Chancellor of Germany. He believed Germany should make itself powerful through war, and thanks to his desires to expand Germany's borders through force. World War Two began in September 1939.

In 1949, during the cold war two German states were formed: the Federal Republic of Germany to the west and the German Democratic Republic to the east. It took thirty years for the country to reform. The decline of the USSR and the end of the Cold War allowed for German Unification in 1990.

Germany has spent the last half century recovering from its political, economic and moral strength. However, despite all of the countries misfortune Germany has built itself back up as a country and as a nation. Germany's economic success since World War Two is mainly from its export industries fiscal discipline and consensus-driven industrial relations and welfare policies. Germany bounced back and became one of Europe's economic giants and today is a fundamental mover in European co-operation.

Despite the fact that Germany's export industry was hit hard from the global recession in 2008 and 2009. By 2010 Germany's economy bounced back and is now the fourth most powerful country in the world after USA Japan and China for its GDP. After decades of lagging behind its economic strength, Germany's international profile has been on the rise.

Roman Catholicism, is one Germany's two principal religions, in 1517 the second major faith, Protestantism was established in Germany when Luther changed the course of European and world history.

The educational system in Germany is public, college and universities are paid for by the taxpayers. English is a compulsory language in second level education. Each German state provides upper secondary education for students aged fifteen and above through the dual system which incorporates school based learning with real-world, work-based experiences.(International perspective on workfoce education and development, by Jay W. Rojewski page 282) Education, science and research play a vital role in Germany. Overall Germany has an excellent educational system and a good job market in comparison with other countries across the world.

Germany is a country governed by many unidentified rules in their daily lives with respect to their work and in their home; these unwritten rules help Germans to know what is expected and to plan their life accordingly. Careful planning, in one's business and personal life, provides a sense of security. Germany is a nation of forward thinkers and planners.

It is clear to say that Germany is a very powerful country and has been home to many inspiring, influential and significant people in history to date, these include; Albert Einstein, Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig Van Beethoven, Martin Luther, Emperor Wilhelm II, Karl Marx and Otto Von Bismarck.

Background and History of Holland

Holland has a population of 16.6 million people. It is the seventh-largest destination for U.S. exports, in addition to the fourth-largest direct investor in the United States. Holland has a Constitutional Monachary since 1848. The present head of state is Queen Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgrad. The head of government is Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

Holland is located at Western Europe bordering the North Sea between Belgium and Germany. Its coastal location has historically made it an important trading centre. Large areas of Holland have been reclaimed from the sea, consequently one fifth of the country lies below sea level. The country is flat and level, it has many canals and rivers. Regions reclaimed from the sea, which are known as polders, are very fertile.

Through the efforts of the Dutch East India and Dutch West India trading companies in the seventeenth century, Holland obtained colonial territories on every continent. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Holland became a leader amongst countries around the world.http://www.everyculture.com/wc/Mauritania-to-Nigeria/Netherlanders.html

During World War One Holland remained neutral. Throughout World War Two Holland struggled to remain neutral as they were invaded and occupied by Germany with very little resistance. After World War Two Holland maintained steady economic development.

After two decades of strong growth and low unemployment, the economy ran into more troubled waters as global trade slowed in 2008 and Holland was hit hard by the recession. However, the economy gradually recovered in 2010. This is mainly due to international trade. Holland is one of the largest exporters of farm produce. In the last twenty years Holland has developed a strong base in advanced technological