Assignment (Due 3/28): Please choose TWO sections from the Weimar Constitution one from the first part on the structure of government, (Art. 1-108) and a second from the section on rights (Art 109-181). Write out the passages, interpret the meaning of them, then explain why you chose these passages.

First part: First Chapter: the Reich and the States

Article 17

Every state must have the constitution of a free state. State parliament must be elected in a general, equal, immediate and secret ballot, in which all Reich German men and women participate, according to the principles of representative election. The state government requires the confidence of state parliament.

The principles for the election of state parliament also apply for local elections. State law may determine if those who lived in the community for one year or less may participate in the election or not.

Interpretation: I think this article refers to the freedom that the states had in order to create their own laws. Even though the federal government governed all states, each state was able to create and elect their representatives and local laws.

I chose this article because I think it is very similar to the political system here in US. The only exception is that here it does not matter for how long you have lived in a state. If you have all requirements to vote and registered to a party, you can vote. In other words, no party or political representative can tell you that you cannot vote because you moved 3 months ago from other states.

Second part:

First Chapter: The Individual

Article 109
All Germans are equal in front of the law.
In principle, men and women have the same rights and obligations.
Legal privileges or disadvantages based on birth or social standing are to be abolished.
Noble titles form part of the name only; noble titles may not be granted any more.
Titles may only be granted, if they indicate an office or occupation; academic degrees are not affected by this regulation.
The state may no more bestow orders and medals.
No German may accept titles or orders from a foreign government.

Interpretation: In this case, the article refers to equality. Everybody is equal in front of the law it does not matter the gender, noble titles or social standing. In order to make everybody equal in from of the law, the constitution abolish nobles titles. Which I strongly believe is wonderful. In the same direction, the abolition gave the sense of fairness because everybody should work and deserve the same respect from and to others. In other words, we are all human being and that says it all. Similarly, I agree with the fact that they cannot accept titles from other countries. They were trying to start from scratch and by themselves. Which I think says a lot in terms of nationalism and German patriotism and that was the reason why I chose this article.

Luxemburg's essay

 “Business thrives in the ruins. Cities become piles of ruins; villages become cemeteries; countries, deserts; populations are beggared; churches, horse stalls. International law, treaties and alliances, the most sacred words and the highest authority have been torn in shreds.”

From my point of view, the meaning of this passage is very clear. I think this passage shows in a few words the consequences and results of any war. In other words, what you can see in a country after a war. The results are: devastation, misery, pain and death. At the end of a war, the scenario is a society trying to start from scratch.

I strongly believe that this passage is closely related to the politics today. Take a look what happened in Afghanistan. Yes, it is true there are some conflicts among different countries but the soil became a cemetery. A cemetery of people that in some cases the war is not their fault.  They did not want it, they did not provoke it.  But they are paying the consequences. At the end, politics argue about what it is convenient for their own interest first, second and third and that’s all.

Assignment: Due 3/14/15

My favorite scene of the movie is when one of the ladies from the audience stands up for the mothers of the killed girls.

My interpretation of that scene: It does not matter if someone has intention of doing something or not. If that person did it, his/her intention does not count for me. The intention won’t change the result or consequences of his/her actions.

I totally agree with her because the murder was trying to defend himself because of his mental issues. But all the pain and hardship that those mothers went through, deserve at least justice.

Blue Angel

Cabaret Songs.

"It's All a Swindle" (Alles Schwindel), by Mischa Spoliansky and Marcellus Schiffer (1931)

ENGLISH: 

Life's a swindle, yes, it's all a swindle

so get what you canfrom your fellow manGirls and boys todaywould rather steal than playand we don't care 

GERMAN:

Alles Schwindel, alles schwindel,

überall wohin du guckst
und wohin du spuckst!
Alles ist heut ein Gesindel,
jedes Girl und jeder Boy,
’s wird einem schlecht dabei!

Interpretation: I chose these lyrics because they match pretty well with the concept of nihilism. In other words, there are not values, morals standards, or social rules to follow. Just try to get as much as you can from others and safe yourself. In the same way, I linked the lyrics with the movie "Blue Angel" because I think that Lola and the professor  faced swindle each other. Similarly, the lyrics mention girls and boys in a way that represents feminism. At the end, everybody can do whatever they want and nobody cares. 

"Chuck Out the Men" (Raus mit den Männern), by Friedrich Hollaender (1926)

ENGLISH: 

The battle for emancipation's been raging since history began

Yes, feminists of every nation want to chuck off the chains made by man
Hula girls and housemaids and wives in Maribou
hear all our voices thunder in protest
Anything that men do women can do too
and more that that we women do it best

GERMAN:

Es geht durch die ganze Historie
ein Ruf nach Emanzipation
vom Menschen bis zur Infusorie
überall will das Weib auf den Thron.
Vin Hawai-Neger bis zur Berliner Range
braust ein Ruf wie Donnerhall daher:
Was die Männer können, können wir schon lange
und vielleicht ’ne ganze Ecke mehr.

Interpretation: I chose these lyrics because they represent gender equality. In the same way, I took into consideration the time of the lyrics when women were not allow to do basics things without their father or husband consent.  

Summary Paragraph 175

      In general the paragraph 175 talks about the punishment that individuals who had homosexual preferences would receive at that time. In other words, the paragraph explains in details what would happen if a person force or allow to have sex with another person of the same sex. As a conclusion, paragraph 175 shows the society rejection to homosexuality back then.

I think it relates to the lecture because the movie "Blue Angel" shows the sexual restrictions and morals rules of that time. In the same way, the actress of the movie lived a very sexual and open life for her times (she was lesbian) .

Passage from the book:

"But he does not reject meaning in total or that there is no meaning in the world, but that the traditional ways of uncovering meaning will not lead you there, and that it can only be learned through experience it cannot be taught."

           Personally, the meaning of this passage is related with the fact that people learn from their own experiences. In other words, you may try to prevent somebody from a painful situation (maybe because you already went through that situation) but it is impossible for that person to learn a lesson from other people 's experience (even went they when through that). One of the reasons is because each experience and each process is different. For this reason, I strongly believe that each person should take his/her own chance and risk. Likewise, living your own experience and dealing with your own struggles is the best way to learn and gain experience. This passage is important to because I at one point in my life I made a decision to follow my instinct even with my family disagrees with me. I know they want the best for me but at the same time it was time to follow my own path. Today, I'm happy that I took that risk because I reached my goal. In, conclusion, I think that you only learn from your own experience.

Picture Assignment:

Biography Vincent Van Gogh

He was born in Groot-Zundert, a small town in Holland in March 1853. His father was a Protestant pastor and he had three uncles who were art dealers.

His early life seems generally to be unhappy, after a period of working in his uncle’s art dealers, he became frustrated and so became a Protestant minister. He became a preacher in the poor agricultural districts of Brabant. He empathized with the poverty of the inhabitants and began to share their poverty and rough living conditions. Despite trying to live according to the gospel message of poverty, the churchauthorities were displeased that Van Gogh seemed to be undermining the ‘dignity of the priesthood.’ He was relieved of his post and Van Gogh turned to art. Despite always disliking any formal training, he studied art in both Brussels and Paris. He began painting seriously, and in Paris was influenced by the new impressionist painters of Monet, Renoir and others. Financially helped by his close brother Theo, Van Gogh later travelled to Arles in the south of France were he continued his painting – often outside – another feature of the impressionist movement.

In Arles, he had a brief, if unsuccessful, period of time with the artist Gauguin. Van Gogh’s intensity and mental imbalance made him difficult to live with. At the end of the two weeks, Van Gogh approached Gauguin with a razor blade. Gauguin fled back to Paris, and Van Gogh later cut off the lower part of his ear with the blade.

This action was symptomatic of his increasing mental imbalance. He was later committed to a lunatic asylum where he would spend time on and off until his death in 1890.

In 1890, a series of bad news affected his mental equilibrium and one day in July, whilst painting, he shot himself in the chest. He died two days later from his wound.

Title:"The Starry Night," Vincent van Gogh.

Date:1889

Interpretation: I think the many stars and moon in the sky represent the light that he needed. The irregular and nebulous sky represent his feeling and all his mental issues. At the same time, the stars and moon lights provide proofs of the hope he was waiting for. Personally, I love this paint. The color blue gives a different connotation of the night. In the same way, it is like the picture is in constant motion. I think that was exactly how he was feeling. Looking for help where nobody was able to do so. 

1. Edvard Munch

   Painter
2. Edvard Munch was a Norwegian painter and printmaker whose intensely evocative treatment of psychological themes built upon some of the main tenets of late 19th-century Symbolism and greatly influenced German Expressionism in the early 20th century. Wikipedia
4. Born: December 12, 1863, Ådalsbruk, Norway
5. Died: January 23, 1944, Oslo, Norway
6. Periods: Expressionism, Symbolism, Modern art
7. Children: Jacob Munch
8. Siblings: Johanne Sophie Munch, Peter Andreas Munch, Laura Catherine Munch, Inger Marie Munch
9. Artwork 
   

   The Scream

   1893

   

   Madonna

   1895

   

   The Sick Child

   1885

   

   Puberty

   

Title:  The Scream Date: 1893

Interpretation: I believe that the Scream is a representation of fear, anxiety and personal feelings. In the same way, The Scream gives me that sense of isolation and panic with the red sky as a background. I think that Munch was dealing with his own demons where he did not see any light at the end of the tunnel. Added to that, the texture and exaggerated colors create that endless circle of desperation. That being said, that is why this picture is related to Nihilism because it has that sense of nothing and hopeless. In other words, it is telling you that the situation is bad and it is going to get worse.  

Friedrich Nietzsche

Title "Portrait of Friedrich Nietzsche"

Date: 1906

Interpretation: One more time, the exaggerated color and the hopeless expression are present on Munch's paints. I think that Munch presented Nietzsche's ideas of a death God and pessimism. In other words, both ideas of believing in nothing and pessimism go along with the Nihilism.

Dada Manifesto

by Hugo Ball

“Dada world war without end, dada revolution without beginning, dada, you friends and also-poets, esteemed sirs, manufacturers, and evangelists". (Hugo Ball, 1916)

I believe that Hugo Ball showed all his frustration and anger in that manifesto. According to the quote, I think that Hugo Ball could not find a valid reason for that war. It was totally unjustified what was happening around the world. Similarly, “dada revolution” came out to state that art should reflect what was happening. In other words, Hugo Ball felt such a discomfort, that he could not accept the creation of art that did not reflect the reality. That is why in the quote, he called out friends, poets, manufactures and evangelists to open their eyes to the reality of the world.

            I agree with Hugo Ball because I think there is no reason that justifies people killing people. I strongly believe that there are other polite and diplomatic ways to solve problems. Added to that, I think that quote challenges me because some times I face difficult situations dealing with problematic and stressful people. However, I look for my self-control and patience. I also think about the consequence before taking any action.

            Similarly, that quote also relates to a present situation.  As an illustration, the conflict that ISIS has against many countries around the world.

CIA WORLD FACTBOOK

Germany- Economy

The German economy is the fifth largest economy in the world. In the same way, Germany is a leading exporter of machinery, vehicles, chemicals, and household equipment and benefits from a highly skilled labor force.  Germany has agriculture products as well as industry productions.   In terms of agriculture products, Germany counts with: potatoes, barley, sugar, beets, fruits, cabbage, milk products, cattle, pigs and poultry. Likewise, Germany’s industries produce: iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery, vehicles, machine tools, electronics, automobiles, food and beverages, shipbuilding, textiles.

Similarly, Germany labor force is divided by occupations: agriculture (1.6 %), industry (24.6%), and services (73.8%). Added to that, past reforms carried out by the government helped to reduce the unemployment rate (decrease to 5.3% in 2013). Also, the new German government introduced a minimum wage of $11 per hour to take effect in 2015. Equally important is the fact that Germany population below poverty line is 15. 5 % (in 2010).

Following the March 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, Chancellor Angela MERKEL announced in May 2011 that eight of the country's 17 nuclear reactors would be shut down immediately and the remaining plants would close by 2022.

Germany hopes to replace nuclear power with renewable energy. Before the shutdown of the eight reactors, Germany relied on nuclear power for 23% of its electricity generating capacity and 46% of its base-load electricity production.

Nihilism in Germany: Introduction. 

Quote Assignment. 

Not enough!-- It is not enough to prove something, one also has to seduce or elevate people to it. That is why the man of knowledge should learns how to speak his wisdom: and often in such a way that it sounds like folly!

My interpretation to that quote is that Nietzsche knew that sometimes it is not enough to work hard to obtain desired results. In the same way, as he says, it is not enough to prove something because even when you prove it, you may find people that do not believe on your proofs. In reality, you should prove your facts to satisfy those that need proofs. But at the same time you need to convince, enthuse and persuade those (that proofs) are not enough for them. By the time that you reach that point of proofs and leadership, you will get practically everybody.

I think that quote it applies today because in our society people are never agreed. For example, many people record a case of police abuse but the police officer is declared innocent. Even though there are proofs of his crime, those proofs were not enough to convince the Jude. As a result, I agree with Nietzsche, It is not enough to prove something.