Mecklenburg is a farming region and part of the German state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
Before World War II (1939-1945), Mecklenburg consisted of huge estates held by powerful landowners called Junkers. Junkers played a major role in German history between the mid-1700’s and the mid-1900’s. Peasants lived on the estates but owned little property. The landowners controlled Mecklenburg’s economy and ruled their estates. In 1945, Mecklenburg became part of the Soviet-controlled zone of Germany. This zone became East Germany in 1949, and Mecklenburg, together with the western part of Pomerania, made up one of East Germany’s five states. In 1952, this state was abolished and divided into smaller districts. When East Germany and West Germany united in 1990, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania again became one of Germany’s states.
