For a century after the reign of Frederick, Prussia remained the most prominent Germanic state in Europe.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
It is not only that Germany has been defeated in the war, Kaiser Wilhelm's Germany was defeated.
The particular feature of Berlin - well, all you need to do is look at the map: the geographical position of the city right in the heart of Europe, and the separation of the most powerful two blocs we've ever had in history, which went all the way through Germany.
The Germans form one of the most important branches of the Indo-Germanic or Aryan race - a division of the human family which also includes the Hindoos, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Celts, and the Slavonic tribes.
Germany's fate is decided first and foremost in Europe. Reconciliation and cooperation in Europe have brought us freedom, peace and prosperity. Who would have dared to believe so much 50 years ago?
If you look back at the history of the twentieth century, Germany alone had practically destroyed Russia several times.
In the past Berlin was much more radical and extreme and now it's becoming much more of a conventional European city.
If you travel to Germany, it's still absolutely Germany. If you travel to Sweden, it still has a Swedish identity.
I'm German in my mind, but from a Germany that doesn't exist any more.
Berlin is my favourite city.
The history of the Franks becomes, therefore, the history of the Netherlands.