The Cologne Cathedral

1
The Cologne Cathedral

• By Matt Keenen

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Through Examining the cathedral in Cologne what
can be said about the German mind-set before,
during and after its construction?

• My essential question analyzes the history,
  events, and architecture behind the Cologne
  Cathedral to see what it says about the German
  mind-set.
• The German mind-set is comprised of 5 things
  Economics, Politics, Religion, Nationalism, and
  Society.

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Thesis Statement

• The Cologne cathedral is a symbol of the cultural
  elements put into its construction. I have
  concluded that the middle class determines the
  prosperity of a nation or city.

4
The Cathedral

• 1248-1560 1842-1880
• Old cathedral burned down.
• 1322 went bankrupt
• Stopped in 1560
• Restarted in 1842
• Completed in 1880

5
Gothic Style Cathedral

• Romanesque were simple.
• Gothic were more complex as they were taller and
  had more stained glass windows.

6
Cathedrals

• Built under certain circumstances.
• In a city/town
• Wealthy city/town
• Religious city/town
• National Spirit
• Cologne had all of these.

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Middle Ages

• Cologne During the middle ages went through a
  time of revival from the dark ages.

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Economics

• Cologne was a center for economic development.
• Merchants and Craftsman gained power.
• Located on the Rhine River Cologne is the largest
  inland port.
• Had two main trade arteries.

9
Religion

• The German Rome
• Had many churches.
• A bishop presided over Cologne.
• Had a devoutly Roman Catholic population.

10
Politics

• People were exempt from Feudal system.
• Political battles with the Archbishop.
• Freedom is important because it allows for
  cultural development and economic growth.

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Nationalism

• Competition.
• Cathedrals were symbols of power.
• City pride.

12
Society

• Middle class ruled the cities.
• Cities depend on the middle class.
• Cathedrals only built in cities with a strong
  middle class.

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Colognes Decline

• Cathedral went bankrupt in 1322.
• Construction stops in 1560.
• Why was there no reformation in Cologne?

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Post-Napoleonic Prussia

• Prussia survived.
• Gained control of Cologne.
• Prussia became the most powerful nation-state in
  Germany.

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Prussian Reform Movement

• Reform or Destruction
• New government
• Modernization/Industrialization
• Urbanization
• Social hierarchy transformed.

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The Cologne Cathedral

• Begins construction again in 1842.
• The Kaiser holds an elaborate ceremony for
  Cathedral construction.
• The cathedral becomes a symbol for the nation.
• The five elements still apply to the construction
  of the cathedral.

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Conclusion