Sam Mallane

Dr. John Willerton

Politics of Happiness Essay

22 November 2015

Germany is a European country that has had a great role in shaping

that region. However, Germany and its people have been looked down upon

because of their dark past which includes an attempt by the Nazis to

exterminate the entire Jewish race. For this reason and many others, it is

hard for a person with negative views of Germany to change their mind.

People have been taught to only look for the negatives in world history and

Germany comes up a lot for their checkered past. Today, no focus on how

Germany has a strong economy and nation backed by notional pride. To

change a persons mind about Germany one must focus on the new Germany

and what they have done to make up for their past.

There are many different reasons why a person would a negative

orientation with Germany. The fist things that comes to mind when one

thinks of Germany is war and persecution. They started both World Wars and

in WWII the Germany Nazis are responsible for killing millions of Jewish

people in the Holocaust. These are prime examples of what happens when a

corrupt totalitarian leader takes control of a country. A person with a

negative out look on Germany must realize in a totalitarian society the

people are devoted to their leader no matter bad or good. Not everyone

during WWII supported Hitler, but they had no choice are they could face
punishment or death. Germany has tried to amend their mistakes by paying

victims of the holocaust and has created multiple museums remembering

those who died during this awful time. One must realize that Germany has

taken the steps necessary to change for the better and does not support

their dark past.

One must realize that Germany has changed and from their change

has come a rich national culture. To appreciate Germany one must

understand their past beyond war. They have produced some of the finest

composers and writers from Richard Wagner and Johann Von Goethe.

Personally I believe Richard Wagners music is a musical representation of

Germanys natural beauty. A person with a negative orientation of Germany

needs to be exposed to their great nationalism for. For example, when they

one the FIFA World Cup a few years ago, Germany was going crazy. They are

a proud people that stand by their country and will support them through

anything. Germany has grow out of being a totalitarian mad house into a

country that has one of the strongest national economies. People must

realize the past is in the past it I time to look at the present. Once one is able

to do that they will see the new true Germany.

My three steps in enhancing ones awareness, tolerance, and empathy

begin with education. To be able to understand Germany one must be

educated about Germanys past, present, and future. In educating a person

that holds a negative outlook on Germany, they may actually see what they

have done besides just war. There is a lot to explore about this country if one
can get the full look into the German culture. To increase ones tolerance

about Germany I would recommend they try and visit. There is a rich nation

that once explored may change a persons mind about Germany. Lastly, I

would use the latter of inference to help guide one with what they have

learned. The latter of inference is a common mental pathway often leading

to misguided beliefs and actions. This will help one sort through with what

they have learned/experienced and form empathy for Germany.

Germany has always been judged by their dark past. It is for this

reason that so many people are negatively oriented towards them. What

people are not doing is actually understanding their full past. It is through the

education of Germany that one may realize that they have changed.

Germany is no longer an enemy, they are a friend and ally. They have formed

a stout national government and economy that is backed by strong national

pride. People must realize that the German people are not any different from

them. It is time that everyone looks at Germany for what they have become

not what they were. Once one does that they may be able to form

awareness, tolerance, and even empathy for Germany.