Ostsiedlung in Medieval Geography and Religion App

About Ostsiedlung in Medieval Geography and Religion App

The Ostsiedlung (literally "east settling") or German eastward expansion was the Medieval eastward migration and settlement of Germanic-speaking peoples from the Holy Roman Empire into less-populated regions of Central Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Baltic area, resulting ultimately in colonization. The territories of German settlement stretched roughly from Estonia in the north, all the way to Slovenia in the south, and extended into Transylvania or modern-day Romania in the east. In part, Ostsiedlung followed the territorial expansion of the Holy Roman Empire and the fraternal Order of the Teutonic Knights.

Before and during the time of German Ostsiedlung, late medieval Central and Eastern European societies were undergoing deep cultural changes in demography, religion, law and administration, agriculture, and population count. Thusly, Ostsiedlung was part of a process termed Ostkolonisation ("east colonization") or Hochmittelalterlicher Landesausbau ("high medieval land consolidation"), although these terms are sometimes used synonymously.

Ethnic conflicts erupted between the newly arrived settlers and local populations (often Slavic), with expulsions of native populations in some cases. In several areas subject to the Ostsiedlung, the existing population was later discriminated against and pushed away from administrative positions.

The Ostsiedlung became an especially heated topic during the era of Nazi Germany, when it was heavily exploited by German nationalists, including the Nazis, to support the political and territorial claims of Germany and demonstrate supposed "German superiority" over non-Germanic peoples, whose cultural, civic, and scientific achievements were undermined, rejected, or erroneously presented as German. The Ostsiedlung remains a hotly debated topic of history and research.


NO ads!!! Works offline too!

Thank you very much for downloading - your purchase will help to support the development of many educational and enlightening apps for years to come!


Legal Disclaimers: This app is for informational purposes only. The developer, publisher, and copyright holder are not liable for any damages or losses that may result from downloading or using this app. The views and opinions expressed within the content are those of the author and not necessarily those of the developer or publisher. App design, APK, and graphical interface are © The Treasure Trove, Inc. and may not be reproduced without express written permission.