Product Description

This book covers the years, 1945-63 which witnessed th total defeat of the Third Reich, the occupation a nd evolution of the German Federal Republic and German Democratic Republic. The impact of the occupation is analysed, as are the events leading to the division of Germany.  Politics, economic history and social and cultural change in both Germanys are fully explored.  Thus in the FRG  the nature of Adenauer's success in creating a parliamentary democracy is analysed, as is the West German 'economic miracle'.There is also a chapter specifically on social and cultural developments i nthe FRG.  The GDR is treated equally comprehensively with particular attention being paid to the Socialist Unity Party and how it was able to dominate the GDR and survive the riots of 17-18 June 1953.  The events leading up to the construction of the Berlin Wall are also carefully covered.  In the Conclusion a comparative summary of the two German states is made in the light of key themes.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #695061 in Books
• Published on: 2001-02-16
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 176 pages

From the Back Cover
SEMINAR STUDIES IN HISTORY
General Editors- Clive Emsley and Gordon Martel
In the second half of the twentieth century one country, Germany, came to exemplify the ideological and physical divisions between communism and capitalism.
The years 1945-63 witnessed the total defeat of the Third Reich, followed by occupation and the evolution of the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic. This book deals with the dramatic events leading to the division of Germany and the impact of the Allied occupation on the country. It traces the domestic history of the two Germanies and their position in the rival Cold War blocs, the construction of the Berlin Wall and the Federal Republic's integration into Western Europe and NATO.
Alongside the wider questions of politics, economic history and cultural change, this account discusses significant events of the period in both Germanies-
# Adenauer's role in creating a parliamentary democracy in the Federal Republic and the West German 'economic miracle'
# Social and cultural developments in the Federal Republic
# How the Socialist Unity Party came to dominate the German Democratic Republic
# The impact of the 5 Year Plans and collectivisation
# Opposition to the regime in the German Democratic Republic
The text concludes with a comparative summary of the two German states, and includes a selection of primary documents and contemporary photographs, together with a Glossary and Who's Who guide to key figures.
DAVID WILLIAMSON is the former head of History and Politics at Highgate School, London.

About the Author
Dr. D. G. Williamson is Head of History and Politics, Highgate School, London