The Other Germany: A History of the GDR



Right after the Second World War, Germany became a divided country. From the Soviet occupied zone to the GDR, this „first anti-fascist state on German soil“ was shaped by both hope and illusions, and by the experiences of need and oppression. When the system collapsed in 1989, the GDR and its people were confronted with enormous changes and challenges. This course will explore the GDR both in a German and international context, and special emphasis will be placed on the social and psychological mentality of its citizens and its legacy in reunified Germany.



Required texts:

Benz, Wolfgang: Deutschland 1945-1949 [=Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung: Informationen zur politischen Bildung 259/2005].

Malycha, Andreas: Geschichte der DDR [=Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung: Informationen zur politischen Bildung 312/2001].

Thema DDR. Vor dem Mauerfall. Magazin der Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung Nr.30 (2009).

Course reader