Editing Mecklenburg (section)

===History, 1621&ndash;1933{{anchor|partitioned}}===
Like many German territories, Mecklenburg was sometimes partitioned and re-partitioned among different members of the ruling dynasty. In 1621 it was divided into the two duchies of [[Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin|Mecklenburg-Schwerin]] and [[Mecklenburg-Güstrow]]. With the extinction of the Güstrow line in 1701, the Güstrow lands were redivided, part going to the Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, and part going to the new line of [[Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz|Mecklenburg-Strelitz]].

In 1815, the two Mecklenburgian duchies were raised to [[Grand Duchy|Grand Duchies]], the [[Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin]] and the [[Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz]], and subsequently existed separately as such in Germany under enlightened but absolute rule (constitutions being granted on the eve of [[World War I]]) until the [[German Revolution|revolution of 1918]]. Life in Mecklenburg could be quite harsh. Practices such as having to ask for permission from the Grand Duke to get married, or having to apply for permission to emigrate, would linger late into the history of Mecklenburg (i.e. 1918), long after such practices had been abandoned in other German areas. Even as late as the later half of the 19th century the Grand Duke personally owned half of the countryside. The last Duke abdicated in 1918, as monarchies fell throughout Europe. The Duke's ruling house reigned in Mecklenburg uninterrupted (except for two years) from its incorporation into the Holy Roman Empire until 1918. From 1918 to 1933, the duchies were free states in the [[Weimar Republic]].

Traditionally Mecklenburg has always been one of the poorer German regions.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}} The reasons for this may be varied, but one factor stands out: agriculturally the land is poor and can not produce at the same level as other parts of Germany.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}} The two Mecklenburgs made attempts at being independent states after 1918, but eventually failed as their dependence on the rest of the German lands became apparent.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}