GERMANY

HISTORY
- as early as 1,000 B.C., tribes from Northern Europe inhabited the area of central Europe
that is now Germany. First settling near the Baltic Sea, they lived in Scandinavia and
northern Germany. Eventually, they migrated toward the south.

ROMAN EMPIRE
- 100 B.C., people had moved into the middle and southern sections of present-day
Germany, where the Romans ruled.
- Germans lived as hunters, farmers, or nomads with a simple diet consisting of
grains, wild fruits and berries, milk and cheeses, and game that they hunted.
- Romans introduced gardens, orchards, and gold and silver dinning implements. In
fact, Romans planted the first grapes for wine along the steep banks of the Rhine and
Mosel rivers about 2,000 yrs. ago.
- Roman rule lasted until 9 A.D., when the Roman army was defeated in battle. The
Germanic tribes continued moving southward, taking lands the Romans ruled.
Through many invasions, Germany conquered Rome and ruled much of the former
Roman Empire by the 10th century. That rule lasted until the early 1800s.
MIDDLE AGES
- Charlemagne, king of the Franks, conquered Germany in 800 A.D., he imparted
knowledge about many foods, planting herbs, and meal planning. Around the early
10th century, Germany was divided into 5 regions.
- German diet included lots of fish, goose, and game.
- In other countries during this time period, heavy spiced foods prevailed, partially to
cover the spoiled or rancid taste so common in these times before refrigeration.
- Banquets contained many courses, and for the first time here, the visual aspects of
food became an important consideration.
RENAISSANCE
- brought awareness of luxury and opulence in all sorts of things, including food and
dining. Table settings and food decoration acquired new importance.
- Silver and porcelain became prized serving pieces.
- French influence on the food and customs dominated during the 17 th and 18th
centuries. While the upper class enjoyed the lavish food of this period, the peasant
still subsisted on grains, gruel, sauerkraut, dumplings, and bacon.
- 16th century, the Protestant Reformation began in northern Germany. This started as
an attempt to reform the Catholic Church and some of its doctrine.
LATER HISTORY
- From 1806 until 1813, Napoleon of France ruled western Germany. Following
Napoleons fall, Germany became 39 states in 1814; however, the nation of Germany
did not become united under one sovereign until 1871. As a result, great differences
exist between the various regions, and culinary specialties and traits characterize
each of the regions.
- In 1884, Germany began to expand to territories outside of Europe.
- Prior to World War I, many Germans enjoyed an affluent lifestyle. People entertained
frequently and indulged in lavish food.
- By 1923, the German economy collapsed. The worldwide economic depression of
1929 further eroded the Germans economy and morale, making the climate ripe for
political extremism. The Nazis became a strong political force by 1933. The leader of
the Nazi Party, Adolf Hitler, planned to conquer Europe, beginning with the east. Of
course, Hitlers action led to the Holocaust and World War II.
- After World War II, Germany was divided into East and West Germany. Isolated from
the democratic west, East Germany was under the Communist rule of Russia until
1990, when they tore down the Berlin Wall and Germany was united as a democracy.

TOPOGRAPHY
Germany lies in the middle of Western Europe and consists of mostly fertile land with plenty
of rivers that supply water. The land supports ample agriculture for crops and animals that
provide both dairy products and meat.
Surrounded by 9 countries, the only coastline in Germany lies to the north, at the
North and Blatic seas. Denmark also borders on the north; Poland and the Czech Republic
are situated to the east; Switzerland and Austria are on the south; and the Netherlands,
Belgium, Luxembourg, and France lie to the west.
The northern part of Germany consists of flat terrain, the central section is hilly, and
the south contains hills and mountains. The Alps lies in the southern section and forms the
border with Austria and Switzerland.
Germany has two large forests the Black Forest in the southwest and the Bohemian
Forest in the east. In addition, many smaller forests are scattered throughout the country.
The forests yield a bounty of game as well as numerous varieties of mushrooms and berries.
Transecting the countryside, several rivers provide fertile floodplains for crops and
grapes for wine thrive in the hills and valleys. The Rhine and Mosel rivers lie in the west, the
Danube in the south, the Oder in the east, and Elbe and Weser rivers in the north.