The Schuhplattler
One of the best-known and most-famous German folk dances is the “Schuhplattler.” The Schuhplattler, which is also called Schuhplatteln, originates in the south-east of Bavaria, Tyrol, and Salzburg. Anyway, many people consider it a pure Bavarian folk dance. The male dancers usually wear leather pants and plaid linen shirts, and the women wear “Dirndls” (traditional dresses worn by women and girls in some parts of Germany and Bavaria). The dance represents the connectedness to the homeland and the maintenance of long-standing customs and traditions because, until this day, it is danced on a variety of occasions, and there are even special dance clubs for it.
The name “Schuhplatteln” comes from its unique dance style. During the dance, the performers hit the soles of their shoes and their knees (this movement is called “platteln”). Other movements that are included in the dance are stomping and jumping. Even though the dance consists of a few movements, it is not that easy since it requires good coordination and a lot of training.
Furthermore, the origin of this German folk dance is not certain. The date of origin is also not known just as the original meaning. However, there are some traces that date back to medieval times and also to the courtship dance of the Capercaillie, which apparently resembles this traditional dance.
One of the few things that are known for sure is that the “Schuhplattler” was originally a single dance that was commonly danced by rather ordinary people, for example, hunters and farmers. Usually, the men wooed the woman they danced with.
Moreover, the dance is performed in ¾-rhythm, and in the 19th century, it got more popular and started to get performed not only alone but also by groups. Since then, it has gained popularity, and there are many different versions of it.

The waltz
Another quite popular folk dance from Germany is the waltz. Its name originates from the German word “waltzen,” which can mean “turning.” There are many different forms of it, for instance, the Viennese waltz, the slow waltz, the three-quarter-waltz, and many more.
It is danced in a ¾-rhythm by a pair. While doing this, the couples do a double twist and move in a circular motion over the dance floor. Precursors of the waltz were the “Laendler,” the German dance, and the “Langaus.”.
In the beginning, the waltz was considered unmoral and heavily criticized. At first, the waltz was commonly danced in more rural areas, and then later, the bigger cities also adapted it. It developed into a cultivated dance until it became a highly recognized social activity at the Congress of Vienna.
Ever since then, the waltz has found its way into operettas, ballets, and operas. It also transformed a lot throughout the years because of different style changes. Pioneers in this field were Chopin, Liszt, and Brahms. Even though there are so many different substyles of the waltz, the original one is still quite popular and famous. It is danced with a left turn and is known as the most representative ballroom dance.

Sources:
http://naturlexikon-bayern.de/lexikon/menschen-traditionen/taenze-und-musik/schuhplattler/
https://www.schuhplattlerkids.org/costume/tracht
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walzer_(Tanz)#Geschichte
https://www.geschichtewiki.wien.gv.at/Wiener_Walzer