Vergangenheitsbewältigung
Vergangenheitsbewältigung, meaning coming to terms with the past, became popular in Germany after WWII (the 1950s). The atrocities committed by the Nazis (National Socialist Party) during WWII such as the holocaust were tragedies that Germany as a whole struggled to accept.
During the first years of the Federal Republic, the majority of the German population did not want to remember what had happened because most were supporters of Nazism in one way or another or at least gave acquiescence to the actions of the Nazi party. There was a share of guilt and shame in each individual at the moral and political widespread failure, therefore coming to terms with past events was not immediately set in motion. Germans did not confront individual and collective guilt but rather repressed it in ways such as believing “We knew nothing!”. However, the population publicly condemned National Socialism and the majority of West Germans were prepared to accept responsibility for the crimes of the “Third Reich”.
This term, although popular, was regarded by some as offensive. Some Germans believed that the past is impossible to “come to terms with” because what had already happened cannot be reverted. More radical thinkers believed nothing wrong had been done, thus there was no need for Vergangenheitsbewaltigung. Others thought steps had to be made in order to make up for Germany’s past crimes, and people should not simply forget what had happened. Vergangenheitsbewältigung could also be regarded as a means of appropriation for events that occurred during World War II. Germans in post-World War II were not merely accepting past events and moving on from the tragedy, but also drawing consequences from their past actions to prevent such cruelty from happening again. The goal of Vergangenheitsbewältigung is to gain awareness of the past horrors and for Germany to hold in remembrance a collective consciousness of their history.
The German Student Movement in Germany in the late 1960s were a series of student revolts that centered around dissatisfaction at the German government as well as the US government. The revolts were sparked by a multitude of things: government hypocrisy, US involvement in the Vietnam War, and unfair treatment for students.
After World War II, the German government claimed to have developed an anti-fascist government, however many Nazis were still left with powerful government positions. In addition, students across the country were angered by US involvement in The Vietnam War and at the German government for backing the US (Germany backed up the US because they were still under surveillance).The German government was trying to change universities across Germany, producing more graduates faster in order to improve the economy as well.
The students were mainly fueled by these factors to protest for a more democratic government. The movement eventually began to fall apart near the end of 1968 when students started turning against each other because of their different beliefs. Although the results of the student movement were not immediate nor were they exactly what the students had fought for, it still had a large impact on the making of present-day Germany. One of the largest changes to the German government, caused by these student revolts, was the emancipation of women and the passing of the radical degree which allowed the government to prevent citizens who did not believe in a Democratic government from employment. Overall, the Student Movement in Germany was extremely important to the making of Germany after WWII. In a way, the German Student Movement is an example of Vergangenheitsbewältigung. Students saw traces of fascism in their government and instead of merely accepting their situation, they fought for a new future and that was how they came to terms with the crimes Germany committed in the past.
After World War II, the German government claimed to have developed an anti-fascist government, however many Nazis were still left with powerful government positions. In addition, students across the country were angered by US involvement in The Vietnam War and at the German government for backing the US (Germany backed up the US because they were still under surveillance).The German government was trying to change universities across Germany, producing more graduates faster in order to improve the economy as well.
The students were mainly fueled by these factors to protest for a more democratic government. The movement eventually began to fall apart near the end of 1968 when students started turning against each other because of their different beliefs. Although the results of the student movement were not immediate nor were they exactly what the students had fought for, it still had a large impact on the making of present-day Germany. One of the largest changes to the German government, caused by these student revolts, was the emancipation of women and the passing of the radical degree which allowed the government to prevent citizens who did not believe in a Democratic government from employment. Overall, the Student Movement in Germany was extremely important to the making of Germany after WWII. In a way, the German Student Movement is an example of Vergangenheitsbewältigung. Students saw traces of fascism in their government and instead of merely accepting their situation, they fought for a new future and that was how they came to terms with the crimes Germany committed in the past.
- http://geo-000.blogspot.tw/2011/05/biggest-college-protests.html
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