The two Germanies, 1945 - 1990

More about the book

The two Germanies, arising from the unpromising ashes of defeated Nazi Germany, came to represent opposing models of state and society. The Federal Republic established itself as a remarkably stable democracy and successful social market the German Democratic Republic developed an apparently exemplary form of "actually existing socialism" and became a pillar of the Soviet bloc. Then in 1989, the "gentle revolution" in East Germany added a new twist to the collapse of Communist rule. With rapid reunification, the united Germany of 1990 faced new challenges as the unprecedented transformation created a multitude of economic problems and social tensions. Previously published in 1992 as "The Two Germanies", this book has been fully revised and updated to take account of later developments in German history.