The Evolution of an Empire: A Brief Historical Sketch of Germany

"The Evolution of an Empire: A Brief Historical Sketch of Germany" by Mary Platt Parmele is a late 19th-century historical work that chronicles Germany's journey from ancient origins to a dominant European empire. The book follows the movements of different peoples, the changing of cultures, and power struggles that sculpted the German nation. Starting with the early migrations of Indo-Europeans and the rise of the Teutonic people, it marches through the reigns of important people like Charlemagne, and the tensions between religious leaders and the Holy Roman Empire. Pivotal moments such as the Thirty Years' War, the age of Napoleon, and Germany's joining together under Bismarck are examined. It concludes by highlighting the power transitions and political changes that took place in the late 1800s, stressing how war, negotiation, and a shared national identity molded Germany's progress.