Teach any Divided Germany: The Federal Republic and the DDR, 1949-1963 topic, no prep needed!
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A Level Divided Germany: The Federal Republic and the DDR, 1949-1963 Resources
This lesson explores the division of Germany after World War II and the contrasting development of the two German states: the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) in the West and the German Democratic Republic (GDR) in the East. Students will begin by becoming familiar with the key events following the formal establishment of both states in 1949, including the influence of the Allied powers and the growing tensions of the Cold War.
The lesson then focuses on analysing the political and economic differences between the FRG and GDR from 1949 to 1963. Students will examine how democracy and capitalism shaped life in West Germany, while socialism and a centrally planned economy defined the East, exploring how these systems influenced governance, daily life, and international relations.
A key focus will be on the Berlin Wall, which was built in 1961. Students will assess its significance as both a physical and symbolic divide between East and West, representing the broader ideological conflict between communism and democracy during the Cold War.
Finally, the impact of World War II on both East and West Germans will be evaluated, considering issues such as reconstruction, memory, trauma, and how differing narratives shaped national identity in the two states.
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
- Be familiar with the events following the formation of the FRG and GDR in 1949;
- Analyse the political and economic differences between the FRG and GDR between 1949 until 1963;
- Assess the significance of the Berlin Wall;
- Discuss the concepts of democracy and socialism; and
- Evaluate the impact of WWII to both East and West Germans.
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