Abstract The state of EastGermany was established in 1949 under Communist rule, and its capital, the city of Berlin, became a symbol of division between Western democratic Europe and Eastern Communist Europe. While, in theory, Communism appeared to be the perfect ideology, when imposed upon EastGermany, Communism proved itself to be an unattainable ideal. Through the analysis of the rise of Communism, leadership under Communist rule, and the fall of Communism in EastGermany, this paper proves that Communism is, indeed, an unrealistic and unachievable ideology.
From the Paper "Communism's political and economic ascension to power had a tremendous impact on East Germans. WWII left the people of Germany unstable and insecure. When the Allies took control over Germany and eradicated all traces of the previous Nazi government, the common people of Germany were both relieved and scared of what was to come. They knew for sure, however, that they did not want to be under communist rule as in 1946, when the free elections took place, East Berliners failed to elect the East German Communist Party. Unfortunately, the Soviet Union would not accept defeat, so it created the Socialist Unity Party, a "political force for the common people". Tricked by the new image and influenced by propaganda, the majority of East Germans elected the SED."
Abstract The unification of former EastGermany and former West Germany back into the singular Germany as it was prior to World War II in 1989 is commonly cited as a text book scenario of healing ideological and economic divisions between rival states. It also is quoted often as model of reunification for North and South Korea to follow in their eventual reunification as well. Yet, how difficult was the execution of the reunification of East and West Germany? This paper presents a brief examination of each countries' economy prior to reunification, as it reveals much regarding the hurdles that had to be overcome regarding the recombination of German society within the framework of a homogeneous political and economic paradigm.
Abstract This paper examines the record of the state sponsored Olympic program of EastGermany. The author describes the administration of the program by the Secret Police.
From the Paper "The purpose of this research is to examine the record of the state-sponsored Olympics program of East Germany also called the German Democratic Republic DDR in German from ... through the fall of the Berlin Wall in ... . The plan of the research will be to set forth ..."
Abstract This essay researches Germany's history from industrialization to the post modern period in an effort to relate Germany's history and economic development to the way fascism and Nazism developed. From there, it is investigated whether Soviet rule in the east, or Allied rule in the west better suited Germany's historical developments. It was the allied capitalist system that better suited Germany, as seen in the "West German Miracle".
Tags: allied, berlin, east, germany, ii, stalin, wall, war, west, world
Abstract This paper examines how East and West Germany were two very different places for people coming from the same ethnic background. The Cold War created two different societies. It explains how, when Gorbachev came along, he attempted to reform the USSR and provide "New Thinking" that would give the crumbling regime a new lease on life. The policies were very slow to take hold, but when they did, events moved at a dizzying pace. It discusses how Perestroika and Glasnost effectively gave the East German people the ability to rise up against their Communist leaders and end the Cold War.
From the Paper "When Gorbachev took control of the Soviet Union on March 11, 1985, he inherited an institution filled with corruption and cynicism. The Soviet Union's industrial equipment and transportation was obsolete and the rate of economic growth had declined. For a global super power, the living conditions were deplorable. Employees were often drunk or neglected to show up for work, which resulted in low productivity, and lower quality consumer goods. Consumer goods were as well, in very short supply. With the Soviets computer technology lacking in comparison to that of the Americans, it seemed as though the USSR was loosing its grip as a global superpower."
Tags: superpower, communism, regime, new, thinking, gorbachev, Glasnost, cold, war
Abstract This paper examines the social, political, and economic issues that have affected Germany since the 1990 reunification. It looks at the hardships that face the government in trying to bring together the decrepit society of EastGermany with the modern industrial economy of West Germany. The writer addresses issues such as unemployment, increased far-right activity, the European Union, internal political problems and the country's stance on abortion.
From the Paper "The initial excitement led to unrealistic expectations, both in the west and the east. For East Germans, unification meant they would have the same political freedom and standard of living found in West Germany. The government of a unified Germany could give the former without great difficulty. As for the latter, West Germany deluded itself into believing that it could raise East Germany's standard of living with the same ease (Edinger & Nacos, 1998, pp. 16-17).
Thus, during the spring of 1990, many politicians and planners in West Germany focused on the deprivation faced by East German consumers. Western policymakers assumed that an infusion of cash into the former East Germany would pump up consumer spending and jump-start that region's economy. They also assumed that greater buying power would stem the flow of refugees and entice many to return to East Germany. Hundreds of thousands had fled East Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall, precipitating the crisis that brought down the East German government (Maier, 1997, pp. 230-233)."
Tags: political, social, economic, europe, abortion, umemployment, east, west, berlin
Abstract This paper attempts to help the reader understand the current situation in Germany today by providing an overview of the reunification of East and West Germany, the process that led to the reunification, and the opposing political forces that emerged in response. The paper's format is presented in the form of several subject headings followed by discussion and analysis according to the topic. The focus of the paper is the opposition to the reunification, comprised mainly of Great Britain, France, and Poland. The paper begins with the situation in EastGermany in the late 80s, covering the Montagsdemonstrationen organized by Christian Fuehrer, heading on to the "Einigungsvertrag" and the integration of the GDR into Western Germany. This is followed by an analysis of the political concerns evinced by France, Poland, and Great Britain. A summary of the research and salient findings are presented in the conclusion.
Outline:
Introduction
Review and Discussion: Diplomatic Difficulties during the German Reunification Process
The Political Situation in Germany and the USSR during the Late 1980s
Social Insecurities after Perestroika and Glasnost Fail to Save USSR
USSR is Weakened
Early Stage.
Situation in the GDR
Montagsdemonstrationen in EastGermany Occurs, First in Leipzig, Then Entire State
Christian Fuehrer
4 September 1989
Massive Exodus of GDR Inhabitants over Hungarian Border in Summer 1989
Fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989
On the Road to Unity
Helmut Kohl's Ten-Points Plan to Integrate GDR into West Germany Reunification of October 3, 1990
The British View of German Reunification
Margaret Thatcher's Concerns
Dominance of Germany Economy in Europe
Balance of Power Disturbed
Militarily Too Powerful Germany Could Threaten Regional Stability
The French View of German Reunification
The Polish View of German Reunification
Poland Demanded that Germany Accept the Oder-Neisse Line as the Official Border
When Helmut Kohl Failed to Include this Line in his Ten Points, It Caused Major Worries on both Polish and German Sides
German Development Following Reunification.
Breakdown of GDR Economy
Obsolete East German Companies were Unable to Compete in a Free Market
Production Costs Too High Due to Too Many Employees
Major Consumer of East German Products, USSR, had Collapsed
Major Change 1:1 for Ostmark to Deutschmark
Exodus
Money Spent on Reunification
Depending on Source, Costs Estimated at 250 Million to 1.5 Billion DM
Temporary State Deficit in Germany was 1.4 Billion DM
Germany Today
The Wall in the Head
The Perspective of the Victim
The Perspective of Accountability
Table 1 - Imports and Exports
Table 2 - GDR Trade with West Germany, 1961-1976 (in millions of Deutsche marks).
From the Paper ". It happened so quickly that many observers were taken by surprise. The events that ultimately led to the collapse of the former Soviet Union were characterized by half-measures and false starts that created the conditions needed to fuel further social unrest and political discord. According to Niven and Thomaneck, the fact that former GDR leader Erich Honecker's attempt at political crisis management and linguistic "democracy" propaganda had failed became clear in the autumn of 1989, when the working people of Germany reminded him: "We are the people." These authors report that, "Whereas the Polish free trade union Solidarity movement did not in any noticeable way capture the mood of the working people in the GDR, the policy shifts announced by Mikhail Gorbachev after his appointment as General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1985 triggered a new political discourse in East Germany" (57). At the time, Gorbachev recognized that the system of "actually existing socialism" simply could not endure in its existing form, either in the Soviet Union or in the Eastern bloc as a whole (Niven & Thomaneck 57)."
Abstract This paper examines how German capitalism from the Second World War until the present has been strongly influenced by West Germany's commitment to a social market economy, EastGermany's ties to the Soviet Union, and reunification in 1990. It looks at how, as WWII ended, Germany saw itself divided into East and West Germany and how, with the unification of East and West in 1990, the large and powerful German economy has continued to struggle with unemployment and the modernization and integration of the East German economy.
From the Paper "In West Germany, the stable and orderly political climate translated into a largely stable and orderly economy. The years from 1948 to 1960 were characterized by generally solid growth in the economy. One problem was a shortage of capital, tackled by the government in three ways: 1) expansionary monetary policy, 2) the creation of tax incentives for saving, and 3) governmental investment planning. A number of income tax reforms took place from 1948 to 1955, while Tax Law Adjustment Acts of 1948 and 1948 were created to bring tax cuts for the creation of capital. In terms of investment planning, the government focused on mining, energy and steel. During the years from 1948 to 1950 foreign trade increased a stunning 84.4% per year."
Abstract This paper examines Germany's economic and political development throughout the world wars and up until the twenty first century. The paper explains that what was formerly West Germany, now part of the re-unified Germany, achieved a major period of development after World War II to become the economic powerhouse in Europe. The paper looks at how after the first World War, the victorious Allies sought both to punish Germany and to assure that Germany would not be able to attack her neighbors again. The effort failed and, in fact, backfired giving Germany more reason to try to reassert her power. The paper points out that after World War II, the victors handled the situation differently, dividing Germany in two and imposing various means of monitoring the situation. The paper then discusses how Germany remained divided until the fall of the Soviet Union, after which East and West Germany re-united. In conclusion, the paper shows that the nation clearly made a major shift after World War II and continues to benefit from that shift to this day.
Outline:
The Unified German State
Germany After World War II
West Germany Germany and Europe
Germany Recovery
Reunification
From the Paper "At the end of World War I, curtailing German power and punishing her for her transgressions was coupled with direct efforts to eliminate the German problem. The war had taken its toll on Germany, which is why the other European powers were able to force her to sue for peace. World War I was seen as the triumph of Western liberalism represented by the British, American, and French traditions, over the German Bismarckian tradition. The changing of the borders of Germany and the accompanying creation of new national states that also adopted the liberal traditions showed which tradition had won."
Abstract This paper examines the current social, economic and cultural state of a United Germany. It looks at how the previously ultra nationalistic country has been used as an example by the EU to show that a country can maintain its own identity and still be part of a Greater Europe. Contemporary history of Germany is examined, since the collapse of the Berlin Wall until present.
From the Paper "After the fall of Berlin Wall and the Unification of West Germany and East Germany, the United Germany due to its size and strength has often been perceived as the leader of the European Union. This situation and perception worries and annoys the other European Union members because of the German reputation in the past, in the World War. This problem which is often called the "German Problem" and as European members try not to hold past against Germany to such degree that it damages integration. The problem of European Security was the major concern and an essential determinant in all proposals and considerations on Germany's European integration. The image of Germany in the past was also a major consideration and its neighbors knew that a united Germany would emerge at some stage in the postwar developments, despite the fact that they would have prefer the partition to remain in post war Europe."
Abstract This paper examines how democratic governments in South-East Asia use violence as a tool for legitimacy. It explores the unique characteristics of some of the South-East Asian democracies with a comparative focus on the cases of Thailand and East Timor. The first part of the paper looks at how the Thai and Indonesian governments use violence and their links with the military to validate and strengthen their political legitimacy. The second part explores how these governments further use violence to quell dissent and maintain their legitimacy on an international stage, to important financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, as well as to other countries. In the conclusion, the paper looks at the characteristics of Thai and Indonesian political institutions, which make violence an important component of maintaining political legitimacy. It posits that the rapid economic growth sweeping the region presents opportunities for more equitable distribution of resources and a greater recognition of individual civil rights.
From the Paper "This formulation presupposes that the absence of protest is the same as rational compliance. In South-East Asia, however, the seeming rational compliance often masks an undercurrent of coercion that makes dissent impossible and dangerous. This coercion is illustrated clearly East Timor's bloody struggle for independence. During two decades of Indonesian rule, the Indonesian government used military force to commit atrocities on par with the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. The Indonesian military government took over East Timor's coffee exports and other businesses. Corruption was rampant as Indonesian economic migrants swarmed into the area for the jobs. In contrast to the Indonesians who profited from the area's business, many East Timorese experienced extreme hardship (Kingsbury 397)."
Tags: civil, rights, indonesia, thailand, east, timor
Abstract Robert Moses was a leader in the early years of East Harlem in New York City. East Harlem was the home of the New Negro. One of the early songs was called "All Coons Look Alike to me". The people in East Harlem have changed due to the new welfare laws and people who are dedicated to changing the area.
Abstract This paper takes look at the events that led up to the direct military threat that Japan and Germany imposed on America in 1941. The author examines the causes and U.S. responses to the threat.
From the Paper "Imperial Japan declared war on China in 1937. Regardless of this aggressive behavior, the United States was the single largest exporter of oil, iron ore (including scrap metal) and bauxite to Japan, despite reports that those materials were being used to build and modernize Japan's military. In July 1941, finally recognizing the potential threat of Japan as an aggressor, the United States froze Japan's assets and embargoed oil shipments. Unfortunately, the damage was done. Throughout the Pacific theater, our soldiers lost their lives at the hand of a military built with American steel and aided by American natural resources."
Tags: 1941, america, direct, germany, japan, military, threat, war, declare
Abstract This essay examines the role of women and motherhood during the 1930?s, when the Nazi regime took over Germany. It takes a hard look at the views and opinions about women by the leaders of the Nazi regime.
From the Paper "The Nazi regime's views of what a woman's role should be and what they actually were, were very different. A woman's place was in the home, looking after her husband, her home, and most importantly, her children. The Nazi ideology saw women as inferior to men, a woman should be at home and having children, "Kinder, Kirche, Kuche". Goebbels said ?a woman's primary, rightful, and appropriate place is in the family, and the most wonderful task that she can perform is to present her country and people with children.?[i] The image of marriage and motherhood was sold not only as a benefit to the individual and family but also an obligation to the state. The regime believed in this so much that women could apply for marriage loans, where a woman who was getting married could apply for a marriage loan, on the proviso that she left the job market. "
Abstract This essay analyzes the human resource systems in both Japan and Germany using the analytical framework put forward by Beer et al in 1984. Differences and similarities on such aspects as culture, management, labour relations and other such institutions will be investigated. Evidence for arguments and theories will be provided throughout the essay.
From the paper:
"Increased interest in international human resource management has led to the classification of its processes and influences. One particular classification or framework is that of the Map of Human Resource Territory, later adopting the name of the Harvard Model, which was designed by Beer, Spector, Lawrence, Mills and Walton in 1984. This model is useful as it accepts that there are differing approaches to the employment relationship. Indeed Porter (1970) argues that the model has potential for comparative analysis. The Harvard model illustrates that there are a variety of "stakeholders" in an organisation including shareholders, various groups of employees, the government and the community. It recognises the legitimate interests of these various groups and that the creation of HRM strategies should recognise these interests and combine them as much possible into the strategy of the business. Indeed the Harvard model is fundamentally both prescriptive and analytical. It is important to bear in mind however that the ideas put forward by the model are arguably based on the American culture. This is important to remember when using the model as an analytical framework to compare other countries."
