4.2.6
Generational Conflict
Generational Conflict in the FRG
Generational Conflict in the FRG
Social tensions were forming between generations. This accelerated as the younger generation became influenced by Western cultural ideas.
Youth
Youth
- The younger generation, who came of age in the 1960s, began to challenge existing ideas in West Germany.
Influence of the West
Influence of the West
- The youth in West Germany were heavily influenced by Western culture.
- Radical new cultural ideas were being formed in the United States and Britain. Particularly through music.
The ‘apolitical’
The ‘apolitical’
- In the aftermath of WW2, there was no formal political opposition.
- Therefore ‘apolitical’ media became politicised. This is demonstrated in the role of music.
- In the 1960s, rock and punk music became a subversive ‘counter-culture’.
- In the 1960s, opposition to the state came from student movements and left-wing parties.
- This would come to a head in 1968.
Addressing the past
Addressing the past
- As the younger generation came of age, they began to question the narrative of German victimhood in WW2.
- This led to a renewed focus on war criminals, such as an organiser of the Holocaust, Adolf Eichmann (put on trial in 1961 and executed in 1962).
- Murphy (2005): “[Student radicalism] had an added poignancy due to the legacy of National Socialism; the younger generation challenged the older generation to 'face up to the past' and pointed to many ex-Nazis that were in government and business.”
1Political & Governmental Change, 1918-1989
1.1Creation & Collapse of Weimar, 1918-1932
1.2Nazi Dictatorship, 1933-1945
1.3Return to Democratic Government, 1945-1989
2Opposition, Control & Consent 1918-1989
2.1Opposition to Government, 1918-1989
2.2Controlling the People, 1918-1989
3Economic Developments & Policies, 1918-1989
3.1Reacting to Economic Challenges, 1918-1932
3.2Controlling the Economy, 1933-1945
3.3Creating the Social Market Economy, 1945-1989
4Aspects of Life, 1918-1989
4.1Attitudes Towards Women, 1918-1989
4.2Education & Cultural Developments, 1918-1989
5Historical Interpretations
5.1Influence of German History
5.2Hitler & Foreign Policy
5.3Contribution of Other Nations to WW2
5.4Reasons for Invading Poland
Jump to other topics
1Political & Governmental Change, 1918-1989
1.1Creation & Collapse of Weimar, 1918-1932
1.2Nazi Dictatorship, 1933-1945
1.3Return to Democratic Government, 1945-1989
2Opposition, Control & Consent 1918-1989
2.1Opposition to Government, 1918-1989
2.2Controlling the People, 1918-1989
3Economic Developments & Policies, 1918-1989
3.1Reacting to Economic Challenges, 1918-1932
3.2Controlling the Economy, 1933-1945
3.3Creating the Social Market Economy, 1945-1989
4Aspects of Life, 1918-1989
4.1Attitudes Towards Women, 1918-1989
4.2Education & Cultural Developments, 1918-1989
5Historical Interpretations
5.1Influence of German History
5.2Hitler & Foreign Policy
5.3Contribution of Other Nations to WW2
5.4Reasons for Invading Poland
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