Aims

The knowledge of certain facts related to German Landeskunde is necessary in forming future German teachers: This course will impart essential information about German history from 1945 until the reunification of 1990. Political, economical and institutional aspects will be stressed.

Main themes

We cannot understand the present situation in Germany without referring to its previous history since the end of World War II. After the collapse of 1945, the country was fragmented into four occupation zones. The tensions between the former Allied nations led to the Cold War and the foundation of two German states. The Federal Republic of Germany integrated itself into Western political structures (NATO, EEC). The end of the Cold War led to a new situation culminating in the crisis of the Communist regimes, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of the two German states.

Content and teaching methods

Political and institutional history of Germany from the end of World War II until the reunification:
- the Conferences of Teheran, Yalta and Potsdam;
- the situation in Germany after 1945;
- the reorganization of the political parties in the occupation zones;
- the birth of the two German states;
- the fundamental Law;
- the integration of the Federal Republic of Germany into Western structures (NATO, EEC etc.)
- the workers' rebellion of 1953;
- the building of the two blocks and its consequences on the two German states;
- the construction of the Berlin Wall;
- the Willy Brandt governments;
- the end of the German Democratic Republic and the German reunification.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Evaluation : Assessment on the basis of a written exam. The student's capacity to write a text will also be evaluated.

Programmes in which this activity is taught

Other credits in programs