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Ludwig II. and the Bavarians
Myths and legends surround the figure of Ludwig II of Bavaria (1845-1886),known as the "fairytale king. He shunned politics and devoted himself above all to his rapturous passions: the operas of Richard Wagner and the construction of magnificent castles such as Neuschwanstein, Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee. However, Ludwig was by no means just a dreamy dreamer, but pursued clear political goals: he believed in the "Third Germany," in an independent power alongside Prussia and Austria. In the mid-19th century, the federal confederation of small and medium-sized German states was a counter-model to a federal state under Prussian leadership. The vision failed because of the political genius of Otto von Bismarck and the military strength of the Hohenzollern state.
Aired: Dec 07, 2010 Genre: DocumentaryProducers:Duration: 43m Rating: 0 Country:Production: ZDF
Episodes
01: Charlemagne and the Saxons02: Frederick II. and the Crusade03: Hildegard of Bingen and the Power of Women04: Charles IV. and the Black Death05: Thomas Müntzer and the Peasants' War06: Augustus the Strong and Love07: Karl Marx and the Class Struggle08: Ludwig II. and the Bavarians09: Rosa Luxemburg and Freedom10: Gustav Stresemann and the Republic