Divided Germany and the Cold War, 1945-1990

History 423 / Spring 2026

Cleft in two by the Cold War, postwar Germany provides an outstanding vantage-point for studying the clash between capitalism and communism. The American occupation, with its mission to “de-Nazify, de-militarize, de-mocratize, and de-cartelize” the Germans, laid the groundwork for a dazzling economic recovery in the western zones of the country. The Soviet occupation of eastern Germany produced a mirror image of the Stalinist system, with a tightly controlled economy and constant surveillance of the citizenry. East and West Germany rose to become model members of their respective alliances, the Warsaw Pact and NATO; each advertised itself as “the good Germany.” The shadow of the Holocaust lingered over both states, however, and we’ll examine how each society sought to suppress or atone for the memory of Nazism.

Course Objectives (Learning Outcomes)

Aside from conveying an understanding of the course material, this reading seminar is designed to:

• improve students’ ability to communicate their ideas in a classroom setting
• enhance students’ skills in analyzing historical scholarship critically
• help students synthesize material into well-argued essays
• guide students in a scholarly evaluation of primary source material

Course requirements

 Participation (10% of course grade). This is a reading-intensive course, with a substantial emphasis on classroom discussions. The occasional reading quiz may also factor into the participation grade.

 First paper (20% of course grade). This five-page paper examines the nature of the Cold War competition in Germany. Due Wednesday, Feb. 11 at the end of the day.

Second paper (20% of course grade). This five-page paper will examine West German social movements and the lingering effects of memory politics. Due Thursday, March 26 at the end of the day.

 Third paper (20% of course grade). This five-page paper concerns East Germany and the process of unification. Due Thursday, April 23 at the end of the day.

 Primary source exercise (30% of course grade). You will choose a set of primary sources and work up an original analysis of 2,500 words (approximately 9-10 double-spaced pages). Due Friday, May 6 at 5 pm.

Course Readings

 The following paperbacks are required for this course and available from Follett’s or the University Bookstore. In case you wish to search for these items from an on-line retailer, be sure to make use of the ISBN numbers below to ensure that you wind up with the right edition.

 Andrew Port, Germany (Cambridge, UK: Polity Press, 2025). ISBN-13 (paper): 978-1-5095-4667-1

 Nora Krug, Belonging: A German Reckons with History and Home (New York: Scribner, 2019). ISBN-13 (paperback): 978-1-476-79663-5.

Otherwise, a substantial proportion of our course reading will derive from articles and book chapters posted to Brightspace. Please note: all reading assignments should be considered required course material!

Course Policies

Attendance is essential. You are allowed six unexcused absences; after that, each absence will be counted against your participation grade. It is not my job to “approve” absences one way or another, but if you expect to be representing the university in an official capacity (sports, band, etc.), please let me know in advance.

 Common courtesy suggests that you should arrive on time. If you must leave early, please inform us ahead of time and then raise your hand at the appropriate time. A classroom discussion is not the same thing as a television viewing! Your coming and going may represent a significant distraction.

 Contemporary students are tempted by all kinds of electronic distractions that inhibit their ability to learn effectively in class. I am going to ask that you refrain from using any electronic devices during class: no laptops, no tablets, and no phones will be permitted during class. This is your opportunity to perfect the art of note-taking by hand!

 Academic integrity: The assignments in this course require you to formulate complex thoughts in your own words. Attempts to pass off another’s words as your own – be it on an exam or in your primary source exercise – will carry harsh penalties. Plagiarized papers will earn a “zero” for the assignment and may lead to further consequences, including notification of the Dean of Students Office. The “University Regulations” handbook contains further information on dishonesty. Individuals are encouraged to alert university officials to potential breaches of this value by either emailing integrity@purdue.edu or by calling 765-494-8778.

The use of AI tools such as “ChatGPT” is strongly discouraged. In my recent experience, they tend to result in lower grades, because the results do not address the assigned material very well.

 Disclaimer: In the event of a major campus emergency, the above requirements, deadlines and grading policies are subject to changes that may be necessitated by a revised semester calendar. Any such changes in this course will be posted, once the course resumes, on the course website or can be obtained by contacting the instructor via email or phone.

Discussion and Reading Schedule                                   Read for class