Honecker’s Children : Youth and Patriotism in East(ern) Germany, 1979-2002

The first study of its kind in the English language, providing insight into questions of identity formation which have hitherto been unexplored. It straddles the latter years of the GDR's existence and the first decade following German unification. During the final decade of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), young citizens found themselves at the heart of a rigorous programme of socialist patriotic education, yet following the fall of the Berlin Wall, the emphasis of official state rhetoric, textbooks and youth activities changed beyond recognition. For the young generation growing up during this period, 'normality' was turned on its head, leaving a sense of insecurity and inner turmoil. Using a combination of archival research and interviews, together with educational materials and government reports, this book examines the relationship between young people and their two successive states in East(ern) Germany between 1979 and 2002. This unusual time-span straddles the 1989/1990 caesura which often delimits historical studies, and thus enables not only a detailed examination of GDR socialisation, but crucially also its influence in unified Germany. Anna Saunders explores the extent to which a young generation's loyalties can be officially regulated in the face of cultural and historical traditions, changing material conditions and shifting social circumstances, and finds GDR socialisation to be influential to post-unification loyalties through its impact on the personal sphere, rather than through the official sphere of ideological propaganda. At a time of globalisation, this lucid study not only provides unique insight into the functioning of the GDR state and its longer-term impact, but also advances our broader understanding of the ways in which collective loyalties are formed. It will be of particular interest to those in the fields of German History and Politics, European Studies and Sociology During the final decade of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), young citizens found themselves at the heart of a rigorous programme of patriotic education, incorporating school lessons, extra-curricular activities, ritual ceremonies and organised holidays. As the second generation born in the GDR, they knew nothing other than the 'normality' of German division. However, following the fall of the Berlin Wall, they not only became citizens of a new state, but the emphasis of official state rhetoric, textbooks and free-time activities changed beyond recognition; young soldiers were expected to swear an oath of loyalty to their former enemy, loyalists were denounced as opportunists or informers, and rebels became heroes. For this young generation, 'normality' was turned on its head, leaving a sense of insecurity and inner turmoil. Using a combination of archival research and interviews, together with educational materials and government reports, this book examines the relationship between young people and their two successive states in East(ern) Germany between 1979 and 2002. This unusual time-span straddles the 1989/1990 caesura which so often delimits historical studies, and thus enables not only a detailed examination of GDR socialisation, but crucially also its influence in unified Germany, and the extent to which a young generation's loyalties can be officially regulated in the face of cultural and historical traditions, changing material conditions and shifting social circumstances. In this study, Anna Saunders highlights the nature of the GDR as a state where the divides between state and society, as well as dissent and conformity, were less distinct than is frequently asserted. Her original research finds GDR socialisation to be influential to post-unification loyalties through its impact on the personal sphere, rather than through the ideological propaganda of socialist patriotic education Copyright Page 4 Contents 5 List of tables and figures 7 Acknowledgements 8 List of abbreviations and key terms 10 Introduction: Honecker’s Germany –a world of the past? 13 Eastern identity in the wake of the GDR 15 Frameworks: defining the GDR in the 1980s 19 Growing up under Honecker 23 Researching young behaviours 27 1 The parameters of patriotism 36 Nation and state 37 Germany: problematic patriotisms 40 The GDR’s patriotic programme 43 Conclusion 55 2 Young people of the 1980s: ageneration of loyal patriots? 62 The foundations of identity: historical consciousness 63 ‘Peace must be armed!’: protecting the fatherland 70 ‘Educating hatred’: young people and the ‘imperialist’ West 80 Proletarian internationalism: the politics of solidarity 90 Rooted in the present? Pride in the achievements of the GDR 99 Conclusion 113 3 October 1989–October 1990:the rise and fall of a GDR identity 129 Reform and renewal: education and youth work during the Wende 132 Hope of a reformed socialism: 9 October–9 November 1989 136 From socialism to scepticism: 9 November 1989–18 March 1990 139 The GDR becomes history: 18 March–3 October 1990 150 Conclusion 153 4 Civic loyalties in the wake of unification 159 Societal change and education in the absence of the blue shirt 160 The double burden of overcoming the past: historical consciousness in united Germany 164 Military loyalties in the absence of the enemy 179 International allegiances in a new world order 188 United yet divided? Social, economic and political trendssince the Wende 196 Conclusion 214 5 Conclusion: death of the GDR –rebirth of an eastern identity? 232 Select bibliography 246 Index 258 At a time of globalisation and European expansion, this lucid study not only provides unique insight into the functioning of the GDR state and its longer-term impact, but also advances our broader understanding of the ways in which collective loyalties are formed. This book will be of particular interest to those in the fields of German History and Politics, European Studies and Sociology This book examines the shifting identities and state loyalties of young people in East(ern) Germany during a unique period straddling the last decade of the GDR and the first decade of united Germany. It provides insight into the functioning of the GDR state, the process of German unification and the formation of national and regional identities. -- . Examining The Shifting Identities And State Loyalties Of Young People In East(ern) Germany During 1979-2002, This Text Provides Insight Into The Functioning Of The Gdr State, The Process Of German Unification, And The Formation Of National And Regional Identities. Anna Saunders. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [234]-245) And Index.