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Die Hanse

Context

In Kapitel 9, you learned about different cities and countries, and how to talk about different landscapes in Germany. You also learned about the Hanseatic League and some of the cities that participated in it. Although the Haneastic League dissolved centuries ago, the tradition of the Hanse is still visible in modern Germany. Cities that participated in the alliance still proudly call themselves Hansestädte (Hanse cities). How do you think the history of the Hanseatic League affects modern German cities?

Exploration

The city of Lübeck, on Germany’s northern coast, joined the Hanseatic League in the 14th century and participated in the alliance until the league’s dissolution in 1669. To learn more about Lübeck and its Hanseatic history, as well as the influence of the Hanse on modern Lübeck, click on the site below. As you explore, keep the following questions in mind:

What geographic area did the Hanse originally cover?
What is the natural landscape of Lübeck? How did geography and landscape affect its history?
What were the economic benefits Lübeck’s businessmen enjoyed as a result of their participation in the Hanse?
What were the political and social effects of the economic benefits?
How do the geography and landscape of Lübeck continue to impact its economy?
In what ways does the Hanse continue to affect the economy and society of Lübeck? Give one example.

Hansestadt Lübeck
Read about the history of the Hanse and its effect on the modern city of Lübeck.

Application

After you have finished reading about the Hanseatic League, review your notes. With a partner, create an ad to attract businesses to Lübeck. Highlight its Hanseatic past and the role it plays in modern life. What economic advantages does Lübeck have as a result of the Hanse? Use illustrations from magazines or the Web, or draw your own pictures. Display your ad and discuss the reasons a company might want to locate its business in modern Lübeck.