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Politics and Contemporary History

Germany is at the Crossroads; American re-education poster. US army, American zone of occupation, ca. 1947; print 84.9 x 62.4 cm Haus der Geschichte, Bonn, EB-Nr.: 1994/04/0331; Source: Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Bonn

On Accepting Democracy

From Re-education to Re-orientation in Postwar Germany

Diametrically opposed to the soldierly authoritarian Prussian mindset, the easygoing, laid-back American way of life offered a positive model for identification in postwar Germany. "Democracy is sexy!" was the message of the US culture industry, which was transported to Germany via the media and the America House cultural policy.More ...

Social Media – The Che Guevara of the 21st Century?

What role do the social media play in the changes taking place in political communication?More ...

Minister Aygül Özkan; © Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Soziales, Frauen, Familie, Gesundheit und Integration

“It is vital that we see what the reality is” – Aygül Özkan on Immigration and Integration

Since 2010 Aygül Özkan has been Minister in the state of Lower Saxony. An interview about the aims of Germany’s integration politics and how necessary immigration is for the country’s ageing society.More ...

“We need more global cooperation” – An Interview with Globalisation Critic Harald Schumann

Is globalisation in danger of failing due to its own contradictions and causing exactly the opposite effect?More ...

Happy Birthday! 50 Years of Amnesty International

Amnesty International was founded in London at the end of May 1961, two months later the German section was set up in Cologne – today it is the organisation’s largest section.More ...

A Cultural History of Internal Security since 1968

“Internal security” is looked upon not only as a condition of social stability, but also as a kind of state-guaranteed basic right.More ...

Photo collection from the former German colonies, University Library Frankfurt Main,
Copyright: picture-alliance/ dpa/dpaweb

Memory on the Internet

The Internet has radically changed the way we live. Our perception of historical events is also changing due to the impact of the digital media.More ...

Dossier Turning Point 1968

1968: the year when a generation revolted. Forty years later this date has achieved the status of a nationally commemorated event.

Migration and Integration

Migration is changing cultures. The Goethe-Institut reflects these developments in Germany and around the world and dedicates its work to the linguistic integration of migrants.