All Quiet on the Western Front: Character analysis

All Quiet on the Western Front

Characters:

Paul Baumer- Narrator of story.

Kat- One of Paul’s closest friends throughout his time on the front lines. He is much older than Paul and has a family at home. He always finds food and is very resourceful. Paul speaks very highly of him and makes him seem very wise.

Kropp- Paul’s classmate and close friend throughout the war.

Muller- Paul’s classmate and a main guy in the novel. Muller likes to ask the guys about their post war plans a lot.

Tjaden- One of Paul’s friends in his unit. Tjaden is one of the main characters in the novel. He has a deep resentment for Himmelstoss.

Detering- One of Paul’s closest friends in the war. He has a young family and farm at home and often longs to return there and leave the frontlines.

Kantorek- A schoolmaster at Paul’s high school. He puts an enormous amount of pressure on Paul and his classmates to enlist during the war. Using words such as “coward” in his normal vocabulary.

Himmelstoss- A non commissioned training officer. Ranking officer over Paul and his friends in training camp. He makes their lives a living hell throughout camp, then tries to befriend them once he is sent to the frontlines to fight.

Franz Kemmerich- introduced in the first chapters of the book. He has lost his leg and is dying. One of Paul’s good friends from his childhood. Paul must write to his mother and send his condolences after his death.

Joseph Behm- He is the first of Paul’s classmates to die in the war.

Paul Baumer

I am Paul Baumer, a German soldier on the frontlines in World War One. I was once a caring, loving, young man who enjoyed writing poetry and spending time with my family. Now I am a hardened war veteran. I have witnessed death and destruction beyond anything I ever thought possible. So much so that I have learned to turn off my feelings and emotions I once had before the war. I no longer am a young poet wanting to spend time with my loving family. I am a battle hardened soldier wanting nothing but to stay alive and make it through this war.

I do not know what to think of this awful war anymore. I know I hate it, but I do not know what I will do with myself when it is over. It is all that I know. I am scared for the uncertainty of my future after the war, if I make it out alive…

Rhineland-Pfalz

Rhineland Pfalz is located in western Germany. It shares borders with North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse, Baden-Wurttemberg, France, Saarland, Luxembourg, and Belgium. It has a population of 4,046,860 and an area of 19,849 square kilometers. Its capital city is Mainz. It was established as a state on August 30, 1946 after WWII.

There are two main religions of the people of Rhineland-Pfalz. The most popular is Catholicism, with 67% of the population being catholic. Followed by the Evangelical Church in Germany, which consists of 24% of the population.  Rhineland-Pfalz’s political system is the same as many in Europe. They have a parliamentary system and hold elections every 5 years. Any resident 18 years of age or older may run. Like the United States, there are 2 main parties. The Social Democratic Party, and the Christian Democratic Union.

The Social Democratic Party (Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands, SPD) is Germany’s oldest political party, established in 1875. The current party platform of the SPD is built off the goal of social democracy, which is seen as a vision of a societal arrangement in which freedom and social justice are paramount. According to the party platform, freedom, justice, and social solidarity, form the basis of social democracy. The coordinated social market economy should be strengthened, and its output should be distributed fairly.

The Christian Democratic Union is another main party in Germany, and is generally regarded as a center-right party on the political spectrum. It is Germany’s largest political party, followed by the SPD.) Angela Merkel, the current Chancellor of Germany, is the leader of this party. In regards to the party’s platform, The CDU is Christian-based, applying the principles of Christian democracy and emphasizing the "Christian understanding of humans and their responsibility toward God." CDU membership consists however of people adhering to a variety of religions as well as non-religious individuals. The CDU's policies derive from Political Catholicism, Catholic social teaching and political Protestantism, as well as fiscal conservatism and national conservatism. The CDU was the first proponent of the social market economy, although the party has adopted more liberal economic policies since Helmut Kohl's term in office as the Chancellor of Germany (1982–1998). In terms of foreign policy, the CDU commits itself to European integration and a strong relation with the USA. In the European Union, it opposes the entry of Turkey into the EU, preferring instead a privileged partnership with Turkey. In addition to citing various human rights violations, the CDU also believes that Turkey's unwillingness to recognize Cyprus as an independent, sovereign state contradicts the EU policy that its members must recognize the existence of one another.

Rhineland-Pfalz consists of 24 Districts and 12 urban districts.

Districts:

Ahrweiler, Altenkirchen, Alzey-Worms, Bad Dürkheim, Bad Kreuznach, Bernkastel-Wittlich, Birkenfeld, Bitburg-Prüm, Cochem Zell Vulkaneifel, Donnersbergkreis, Germersheim, Kaiserslautern, Kusel, Rhein-Pfalz-Kreis, Mainz-Bingen, Mayen-Koblenz, Neuwied, Rhein-Hunsrück, Rhein-Lahn, Südliche Weinstraße, Südwestpfalz, Trier-Saarburg, Westerwaldkreis.

Urban Districts:

 Frankenthal, Kaiserslautern, Koblenz Coblenz, Landau, (the main city and an exclave) Ludwigshafen (Rheinpfalz-Kreis), Mainz, Neustadt (Weinstraße), Pirmasens, Speyer Spires, Trier, Worms, Zweibrücken.

Rhineland-Pfalz is Germany’s lead producer in Wine. Up to 70% of wine grapes grown in Germany are grown in Rhineland-Pfalz. It is Rhineland’s main agricultural product. The other major industries in Rhineland Pfalz are tourism and chemical industry. More than just wine entices tourists to visit Rhineland Pfalz. Rhineland is home to The Hambacher Schloss castle, four awesome cathedrals, and seven museums.

            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhineland-Palatinate

            http://indien.ahk.de/events/past-events/rheinland-pflaz-2009

            http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/Germany/rheinland-pfalz.htm

Saarland, Rheineland-Pfalz, Bremen

Saarland

Number of inhabitants: 1,017,567 (as of 2010)
Size: 2,568.65 km² (991.8 sq mi)
Economy:
Main Industries: Automotive and Steel
GDP: €25 million (as of 2005)
Capital: Saarbrücken
Big cities: Neunkirchen, Homburg
When did the State join the federal republic: 1 January 1957
What did it look like before 1948: Saarland did not exist as a state until 1919. Under the Treaty of Versailles it was occupied by Britain and France until 1935. French forces halfheartedly tried to occupy Saarland following the German offensive into Poland, but eventually withdrew.
Some cultural information you found interesting: Post World War II to just prior to joining the Federal Republic, Saarland was under occupation and control of France.
Wikipedia: Saarland
 Saarland.de

Saarland

Location

The State borders France to the south and west, Luxemburg to the west and Rheinland-Pfalz to the north and the east. One third of the land area of the Saarland is covered by forest. The state is generally hilly.

Population

1,017,567 (2010-12-31)

Area

2568.65 sq.km

Economy

The steel and automotive industry makes an essential contribution to economic growth and employment in Saarland. Saarland consider as Auto land. For example, nearly half of the components of the BMW X3c are designed or manufactured here. Automobile industry is the biggest industrial sector and also the biggest employer.

GDP: 27 billion (2005)

GDP per capita: 28782 euros (2007)  

Administrative Districts

Saarland is divided into six districts

Capital city is Saarbrucken

Most inhabitants live in a city agglomeration on the French border, surrounding the capital city.

History

The independent territory of Saarland did not exist until 1919. In 1815, Saarland is distributed between Prussia, Bavaria, Oldenburg and Saxony-Coburg-Saalfeld

In 1870/71, Battle of Spichern and annexation of Alsace-Lorraine by the German Reich.

1920, the treaty of Versailles assigns the Saar mining area to France, while the adjoining workers’ housing area appending to them is put under the rule of a League of Nations government commission.

1940-1945, After Hitler’s campaign in France, the Department Moselle is integrated into the district of westmark, together with Saarland and palatinate

1957, Saarland becomes the 10th state of the Federal Republic of Germany

Cultural interesting facts

Sculptures along the border between Germany and France created during 1986 to 1992.

Several historic museum such as Saarland museum, historic museum, or Newspaper Museum

Saarland has mixed culture of German, French, and Luxemburg together.

Reference

http://www.saarland.de/english.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saarland

http://enrd.ec.europa.eu/app_templates/filedownload.cfm?id=4FDB0E59-F76B-2C53-57B8-4CF52884A0F6

Rheinland-Pfalz

Number of inhabitants: 4,003,745
Size: 19,847.39 km² (7,663.1 sq mi)
Economy:
Main industries: Viticulture (Wine making), Chemical Industries
GDP: €102.5 billion (as of 2009)
Capital: Mainz
Big cities: Trier, Koblenz, Ludwigshafen
What did it look like before 1948: Rheinland did not exist as a state prior to 1946. It was formed out of parts of Bavaria, and several allied held occupation zones.
Some cultural information you found interesting: Rheinland-Pfalz contains 6 of the 13 wine making region in Germany.
Wikipedia: Rhineland-Palatinate
Citypopulation: Rheinland-Pfalz

Rheinland-Pfalz

Location

Situated in western Germany, Rhineland-Palatinate borders (from the north and clockwise) North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse, Baden-Württemberg, France, Saarland, Luxembourg and Belgium.

The largest river in the state is the Rhine, which forms the border with Baden-Württemberg and Hesse in the southeast before flowing through the northern part of Rhineland-Palatinate. The Rhine Valley is bounded by mountain chains and forms a fascinating landscape containing some of the most historically significant places in Germany.

Population: 4.046.860  million (November 30th 2007)

Area: 19,849 sq km

Main Industries

Rhineland-Palatinate is a wine-growing center (two thirds of the country's wine comes from here) and an important wood producer as well as a major center of the chemical industry and a leading supplier of automobile components.

The state's principal industrial employer is the chemical and plastics processing industry: BASF in Ludwigshafen is Europe's largest chemical factory complex and Rhineland-Palatinates largest manufacturing firm.

GDP: 102.53 billion Euros (2009)

GDP per Capita: 24,600 Euros

Cities and Administrative districts

Rhineland-Palatinate is divided into 24 districts, formerly grouped into the three administrative regions: Koblenz, Trier and Rheinhessen-Pfalz.

There are twelve urban districts:

Frankenthal (F)

Kaiserslautern (Ka)

Koblenz Coblenz (Ko)

Landau (La, the main city and an exclave)

Ludwigshafen (Rheinpfalz-Kreis) (L)

Mainz (M)

Neustadt (Weinstraße) (N)

Pirmasens (P)

Speyer Spires (S)

Trier (T)

Worms (W)

Zweibrücken (Z)

History

The state of Rhineland-Palatinate was formed after the end of World War II, on 30 August 1946, by the French military government. Traditional structures were not taken into account; instead parts of Germany were merged that had never before belonged together: parts of the Prussian Rhine provinces, the territory of Hessen on the left bank of the Rhine, and the strongly Bavarian-influenced Palatinate. the constitution was legally confirmed by referendum on 18 May 1947.

Cultural interesting facts

Rhineland-Palatinate lies in the center of the Rhenish Schist Massif. One of the most beautiful landscapes in Germany - and the world - is the stretch of the Rhine Valley between Bingen and Bonn. Dotted with castles, it is steeped in legend, and its praises have been sung by countless poets, painters and musicians. Here and in the valley of the Mosel River grow wines which are prized by connoisseurs all over the world.

The other tributaries of the Rhine - the Nahe, Lahn and Ahr rivers - are likewise very scenic wine-growing regions. At the foot of the Palatinate Forest runs the "German Wine Route". The Rhine has been the region's economic artery since time immemorial. On it lie the cities of Mainz (185,000 inhabitants), Ludwigshafen (167,000 inhabitants) and Koblenz (109,000 inhabitants). Kaiserslautern has 102,000 inhabitants and the old Roman city of Trier has 100,000 inhabitants.

Reference

http://www.rlp.de/english/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhineland-Palatinate

http://www.mapzones.org/Rhineland-Palatinate.html

Bremen

Number of inhabitants: 660,999
Size: 408 km² (157.5 sq mi)
Economy:
Main industries: Research & Technologies, Shipping & Services
GDP: €24 billion (as of 2005)
Capital: Bremen
Big cities: Bremerhaven
When did the State join the federal republic: In 1949
What did it look like before 1948: Bremen was reestablished as a state in 1947. It was a part of the American Occupation Zone following World War I.
Some cultural information you found interesting: The state of Bremen is two separate cities situated along the river Weser.
Citypopulation.de
Wikipedia: Bremen
Eurostat

Bremen

Bremen is the smallest state of 16 states in Germany.

Location

The state of Bremen consists of two separated parts located on the River Weser. It consisted of two cities which are Bremen and Bremerhaven.

The Free Hanseatic City of Bremen and the Port of Bremerhaven (formerly Wesermünde) were amalgamated in 1947 to form the Federal State of Bremen, the smallest of the 16 German federal states.

Area

Bremen covers an area of 325 square kilometres and Bremerhaven an area of 80 square kilometres.

Boroughs

Bremen consists of 5 city boroughs with 24 districts.

Population

City of Bremen: 547,769

Bremerhaven: 115,303

(Source: Bremen Statistical Office; December 2007)

Main Industries

Maritime, shipping and port, import goods and raw materials from oversea come to Bremen before distribute to industries or consumers.

GDP

27.74 billion Euros (2008)

GDP per Capita: 41,918 Euros

Cities

Bremen is the state capital and Bremerhaven. Bremen has only two cities in its state because the state has very small territory.

History

In 1806, Bremen known as the Free Imperial City of Bremen became Free Hanseatic City of Bremen.

In 1867, Bremen became part of the North German Confederation.

In 1871, Bremen became an autonomous component state of the new-founded German Empire and stayed with Germany in its following forms of government.

In 1935, Bremen becomes a regular city at the de facto abolition of statehood of all component German states within the Third Reich.

Bremen was reestablished as state in 1947.

In 1949 the city-state joined the West Germany

Cultural interesting

Maritime experience, the North Sea air, the historical market square, charming cafes, shopping for souvenirs and curiosities.

Reference

http://www.bremen.de/bremen_in_3_minutes

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bremen_(state)

http://www.bremen.de/politics_and_state//fascinating-facts-about-bremen-10293754

http://bcg.thetimes.co.uk/Europe/Germany/Bremen

 

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