Assignment 2: Recycling, Reducing, and Reusing

STAGE

YEAR

SITUATION IN THE COUNTRY

Stage 1

1800

Major Historical Changes: The country is using the Continental System and is resisting Napoleon. Educational and military reforms are undertaken by Prussian Reform Movement. The country is under Metternich and Catholicism together with Liberalism is becoming more prominent.

Changing Population Size: General population decreases as a result of the constant wars going on during this period. Germany is resisting Napoleon who wants to become the ruler of the world.

Birth and Death Rates: The birth rates are low while the death rates are high. This is also attributed to the wars going on at this time and the fact that couples are not giving birth as it is would have been expected.

Environmental Impact: Environmental impact is high due to the Wars. Wars tend to release a lot of toxic gases into the atmosphere thus affecting the population in the process.

Stage 2

1900

Major Historical Changes: There is a call for peace resolution and the Treaty of Versailles is signed to end the First World War. Germany’s economy faces Depression and the demise of Parliamentary Democracy. Women are recognized where small entrepreneurs are encouraged to venture into various businesses. The country also embraces national Socialism and Modernity which pave way to the initial steps in Foreign Policy.

Changing Population Size: The population size is on the increase due to the nation recovery from the First and Second World Wars. The nation is also becoming more and more industrialized and people are confident in residing within Germany.

Birth and Death Rates: There are high birth rates and decreasing death rates following the end of the Wars. Peace is slowly residing in the country and women’s rights are being fought for, thus encouraging women to bear children once more.

Environmental Impact: Environmental impact is on the increase due to Industrialization. The nation has recovered from the war and is now trying to recover and heal itself.

Stage 3

1960

Major Historical Changes: Germany’s Federal Republic forges the Great Coalition of 1966 to 1969. The country confronts with the past and forms the Extra-Parliamentary Opposition. The Chancellorship of Willy Brandt is formalized; this is followed by subsequent terrorist act in the country, forcing the federal government to address this issue. During this time, Germany also debates on the forging and usage of Atomic Weapons. The West German Society undergoes a major transformation during this time.

Changing Population Size: The population size is still relevantly low and constant as Germans are trying to adjust themselves into the New Germany. People particularly foreigners are still reluctant to have permanent residence in the country.

Birth and Death Rates: The birth rates are still high and death rates rapidly decreasing.

Environmental Impact: Industrialization has been embraced fully and this is causing numerous instances of pollution to the atmosphere and the general society.

Stage 4

1990

Major Historical Changes: The country welcomes technological advancements. The Berlin Wall is torn down and both East and West Germany reunified after their division in the course of the Cold War. The reunification of Germany brings about debates over the nation’s past.

Changing Population Size: The population size is on the increase as people have now become comfortable enough to settle in the country. Foreigners are also investing in businesses though not as many as expected.

Birth and Death Rates: The birth rates have decreased and so has the death rates. Women have become more empowered and are now capable of earning their individual income through employment. They are opting to work first then have children when they are financially stable.

Environmental Impact: The country is experiencing increased urbanization as well as industrialization. Pollution and toxic chemicals from industries and factories are causing challenges to the environment as well as the German community as majority of individual opt to burn fossil fuels for their daily use.

Stage 5

Present Day

Major Historical Changes: The status of women has finally been established where an estimated 90% of German women are employed outside the home. Following the reunification of the country, the government has adapted Angela Merkel’s two Coalition governments. Germany is currently economically stable thanks to globalization and industrialization that has seen it opening its markets and businesses to foreign nations.

Changing Population Size: Germany’s population size has recently been on the increase as more and more individuals are migrating to the country for business or permanent residency. The current population size is predicted to increase in the coming years as people settle in the country.

Birth and Death Rates: There are currently low birth rates as well as low death rates. The low birth rates can be attributed to the freedom women have in this day and age, one where they can choose not to bear children but instead focus more on their husbands and careers. The average family now has one to two children.

Environmental Impact: The current high standard of living that has been witnessed in Germany in the recent past has resulted in a large carbon footprint as well as high levels of pollution. This case is similar to those of other developed and developing nations such as the United States and Europe. Environmentalists are making efforts of raising awareness though more still needs to be done. The automobile industry for instance Mercedes Benz have started manufacturing environmentally-friendly vehicles commonly known as hybrid cars, to minimize the impact of pollution in the air caused by conventional cars.