Recent comments in /f/history

BertTheNerd t1_iv4k6r6 wrote

For the record, Bavarians call no-Bavarians "Preissen". This has historical reasons too, Prussia gained to unify most northern german states step by step before 1870. Bavaria and, i think, Baden (i should check this) were the last states and it needed a blackmail, war with France and a very sus death of the last king of Bavaria to incorporate this area

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BertTheNerd t1_iv4jyi0 wrote

>I'm german and never noticed us having cultural divides like that. I'm specifically talking about the first unified Germany 1871, not 1990.

Ever been to Bavaria? Tried to have a long talk with an Ostfriese? Or what about religion, even in 21st century there are differences between catholic and protestant regions (Italy still catholic). Perhaps you dont see this bc you are German and are used to it, they are more visible for non-Germans

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KLanding32 t1_iv478qi wrote

I'm not qualified to say that one was more culturally divided than the other, but if I were to say it I think a geographic argument might be made. Italy is thin and stratified N-S, with seas to either side and to the south. Germany is rounder, and historically has had aggressive neighbors to the E and W. Not to be a German apologist, but if you had France on one side, and Poland and Russia on the other, you'd probably do well by working together to defend yourselves. That's not to say Italy hasn't ever been invaded, but an area with coasts is easier to defend than a relatively landlocked area smack in the middle of competing empires, with little to no real geographic barriers. The more precarious German situation probably made them less able to admit cultural divisions.

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