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German History 1945-1990: From Occupation to Unification

Classes

Wednesday 14 January - Wednesday 25 March 2026, 7.30pm-9pm

10 sessions - Check class timetable

Register for Wednesday 14 January - Wednesday 25 March 2026, 7.30pm-9pm

Overview

Fees
£787

In this module we consider the development of West and East Germany since 1945, in particular the features of a market-orientated parliamentary democracy on the one hand and the planned economy of a communist dictatorship on the other. You will learn about the reasons for the successful second experiment with democracy in Germany after the failure of the Weimar Republic and the experience with the Third Reich, and about the interrelationship between the rebuilding of West Germany and Western Europe after the Second World War.

You will also gain an insight into the changes that occurred in Europe in 1989-90 based on the example of the collapse of the GDR.

We plan to cover:

  • Allied and German plans for a Germany after Hitler (1943-45)
  • Occupation policy in the West and the foundations of West German democracy (1945-49)
  • Soviet policy towards East Germany (1945-49)
  • The Federal Republic in the Adenauer Era (1949-63)
  • The transformation of East German society (1949-69)
  • West German foreign policy from Westbindung to Ostpolitik (1950-75)
  • From the student movement to terrorism: left-wing radicalism in the Federal Republic (1965-77)
  • 'It's the economy, stupid': West German political economy from Schmidt to Kohl (1974-89)
  • The GDR between international recognition and economic collapse (1971-89)
  • The end of the GDR and German unification: internal and external aspects

Assessment is via a 2500-word essay (100%).

As a student on this course, you will study alongside Birkbeck students enrolled on one of our undergraduate or postgraduate courses, giving you the opportunity to network with a range of Birkbeck current students whilst you learn.

15 credits at level 5

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    Entry requirements

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    This short course has no prerequisites.

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  • How to apply

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