German student movement

Quick Facts: Who was German student movement?

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German student movement

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A pivotal left-wing student movement in West Germany challenging authority and tradition.

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Origins & Early Life

The West German student movement (German: Westdeutsche Studentenbewegung), sometimes called the 1968 movement in West Germany (German: 1968 Bewegung in Westdeutschland), was a left-wing social movement that consisted of mass student protests in West Germany in 1968. Participants in the movement later came to be known as 68ers. The movement was characterized by the protesting students' rejection of traditionalism and of German political authority which included many former Nazi officials. Student unrest had started in 1967 when student Benno Ohnesorg was fatally shot by a policeman during a protest against the visit of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran. The movement is considered to have formally started after the attempted assassination of student activist leader Rudi Dutschke, which sparked various protests across West Germany and gave rise to public opposition.

Career & Major Achievements

The movement created lasting changes in German culture. The Spiegel affair of 1962, in which journalists were arrested and detained for reporting on the strength of the West German military, worried some in West Germany that there was a return of authoritarian government. In the fallout of the affair, the suddenly-unpopular Christian Democratic Union formed a political coalition with the Social Democratic Party (SPD), known as the grand coalition. Critics were disappointed with the parliament's appointment of Kurt Georg Kiesinger as chancellor of West Germany, as he had participated in the Nazi Party during the Nazi regime. Social movements grew as younger people became disillusioned with the political establishment, worrying it was reminiscent of Germany's Nazi past.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

West Berlin became a center for these movements since many left leaning people would take residence in West Berlin to avoid the military draft that was in effect in the rest of West Germany. These social movements were also becoming popular among the youth of West Germany. The movements included the opposition to the United States' involvement in the Vietnam War, opposition to consumer culture, liberation for the third world, and criticisms of middle class moral values. Some were embracing communal lifestyles and sexual liberation. All these various social movements and the non-parliamentary organizations that hoped to spearhead them, grouped together as the Außerparlamentarische Opposition.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1962: 1962 Milestone — The Spiegel affair of 1962, in which journalists were arrested and detained for reporting on the strength of the West German military, worried some in West Germany that there was a return of authoritarian government.
2. 1967: 1967 Milestone — Student unrest had started in 1967 when student Benno Ohnesorg was fatally shot by a policeman during a protest against the visit of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran.
3. 1968: 1968 Milestone — The West German student movement (German: Westdeutsche Studentenbewegung), sometimes called the 1968 movement in West Germany (German: 1968 Bewegung in Westdeutschland), was a left-wing social movement that consisted of mass student protests in West Germany in 1968.

Notable Quotes by German student movement

“Authorized demonstrations must be guided into illegality. Confrontation with state power is essential and must be sought out.” (1965)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: German student movement

True or False: “The West German student movement was solely focused on opposition to the Vietnam War.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While anti-Vietnam sentiment was a major component, the movement also criticized consumer culture, middle-class moral values, and the political establishment's ties to Nazi history.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abrar-ul-Haq — Historical peer (Born in 1968) (1968): Esteemed Pakistani singer, philanthropist, and former politician from Punjab.
• Adam McKay — Historical peer (Born in 1968) (1968): Acclaimed American filmmaker known for satirical comedies and high-profile adaptations.
• Akshay Kumar — Historical peer (Born in 1967) (1967): Veteran Indian actor and producer, celebrated for action roles and prolific career.
• Albert Luthuli — Historical peer (Died in 1967) (1967): Pioneering anti-apartheid activist and leader of the ANC in South Africa.
• A. K. Fazlul Huq — Historical peer (Died in 1962) (1962): Pakistani statesman and jurist, known as Sher-e-Bangla, a founding father of Pakistan.
• Abdullah II of Jordan — Historical peer (Born in 1962) (1962): King of Jordan, a Hashemite monarch who assumed the throne in 1999.

Frequently Asked Questions about German student movement