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The Rise of Anti-Authoritarian Movements in West Germany: A Reflection on 1968

The events of 1968 marked a significant turning point for West Germany, igniting anti-authoritarian movements that influenced society deeply. The emergence of the Außerparlamentarische Opposition (APO) was spurred by domestic issues such as nuclear weapons deployment, educational failures, and press freedom debates. Prominent figures like Rudi Dutschke and groups like the Baader-Meinhof Gang led radical actions against perceived capitalist symbols. This era also witnessed the rise of the peace and environmental movements, culminating in a complex legacy that shaped modern German society.

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The Rise of Anti-Authoritarian Movements in West Germany: A Reflection on 1968

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  1. Anti-authoritarian movements in West Germany

  2. „1968 was the fall from grace which brought the Germans foreigners, feminism and other horrors“ Rainer Zittelmann „The spirit of 1968 civilized the Germans“ and „the late 60s are a social refoundation of the republic“ Antje Vollmer

  3. Domestic problems leading to the formation of the APO • Deployment of nuclear weapons in Germany (1958) • „The German education catastrophe“ (1964) • Spiegel affair (1962) – debate about freedom of press • Grand coalition (1966) formation of APO 1966

  4. Außerparlamentarische Opposition APO

  5. APO 1966-68

  6. Death of student Benno Ohnesorg 1967

  7. Leader of the student movement Rudi Dutschke

  8. Baader-Meinhof-Gang / Rote Armee Fraktion • Andreas Baader • Gudrun Ensslin • Ulrike Meinhof • Train in the Near East (links with PLO) • Attack Axel Springer (populist editor), US military bases, symbols of capitalism

  9. „German autumn“ RAF trials 1975-77 Second generation of terrorists try to free the accused They kidnap and assassinate Buback, Ponto and Schleyer in 1977

  10. Anti-nuclear movement • Oil crisis in 1973: German government decides to build 40 new nuclear power plants • „If a nuclear power plant was to be built not far from where you live – would you approve or disapprove of it?“

  11. Campaigners in Wackersdorf

  12. Peace movement Bonn 1983

  13. Die Grünen • 1983: coalition with SPD in Hessen (Joschka Fischer secretary for the environment) • 1983: first appearance in Bundestag • 1998: coalition with SPD in Berlin (Bonn) (Joschka Fischer secretary of state)

  14. Joschka Fischer, secretary of state 1998-2006

  15. Joschka Fischer… 1974 1968

  16. Joschka Fischer… 1986 1998

  17. Squatters in the 70s and 80s

  18. Campaigners (including Heinrich Böll) at Mutlangen 1983

  19. Debate about article 218 / abortion • 1972 „Stern“debate • 1974 legislation allows abortion within first three months • 1975 revocation by Federal Constitutional Court • 1976 abortion criminal offense unless there is an „indication“

  20. Population change: surplus of births (+) / deaths (-) in the FRG

  21. „Guestworkers“ • 1955: Italy • 1960:Greece, Spain • 1961: Turkey • 1964: Portugal • 1968: Yugoslavia

  22. Guestworkers in the FRG

  23. Guestworkers in the FRG (mio)

  24. Settling in ?

  25. Still a guestworker after 40 years?

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