Question for Research Project...

I need a question for a research project relating to Germany after WW2 (i.e. when it was divided into the FRG and GDR).

Basically, it has to consist of intro/ historiography, the main bulk of it being analysis of primary sources, and then a conclusion.

But I can't think of a question to write it on.

The Berlin Wall is a topic I've thought of but I can't think of an actual question on it.

But yeah, any question right now would be great (relating to anything to do with Germany around anything between 1949 - 1970ish.)

Anyone?

+rep for anyone who has a good idea! :woo:

Reply 1

0404343m

17

You could look at the relative progression of industry in East and West in the years of division. I.e, the East became part of the Soviet bloc, which historians argue retarded its growth and meant it lagged behind its more populous sibling. It also lacked natural resources. A comparitive study of the two sides might be worthwhile. If you go down this route, my probable Ph.D supervisor is a world expert on this, so I could suggest an initial bibliography.

Another option would be to look at how NATO regarded the East. The Germans saw themselves as a bit in the middle of a bigger game of the Americans vs the Soviets, where Germany became a mircocosm of the wider world, and the nuclear trigger rested on the Soviets crossing into the West. The French went ballistic when America and Britain tried to advocate the Federal Republic Joining NATO, and went off in a characteristically French almighty huff about it, so obviously how the Allies viewed Germany post-split was a touchy subject.

I've did a fair bit of research into Germany, albeit pre-WWII, so if you have any ideas you want to discuss, PM me.

Reply 2

Paul PTS

15

The advantages difference FRG and GDR.Social programs at GDR like copy of USSR social programs.That's GDR advantage.FRG got investments from USA - so there were more industry power.But when the Wall fell down they were like different people.At first they were glad to meet each other finally.But soon FRG citizens started to look at their GDR's brothers like on the migrants who came to take their jobs.People from GDR at the same time wanted to have the same social service system like they had before connection.So they also were unhappy a little.So I heard from one very old professor who fought at WW2 and had glass eye.

Reply 3

malleablegrace

OP

13

Paul PTS

The advantages difference FRG and GDR.Social programs at GDR like copy of USSR social programs.That's GDR advantage.FRG got investments from USA - so there were more industry power.But when the Wall fell down they were like different people.At first they were glad to meet each other finally.But soon FRG citizens started to look at their GDR's brothers like on the migrants who came to take their jobs.People from GDR at the same time wanted to have the same social service system like they had before connection.So they also were unhappy a little.So I heard from one very old professor who fought at WW2 and had glass eye.

That definitely makes it accurate :p: