Socialism and Nationalism in the East German Revolution, 1989-1990
Socialism and Nationalism in the East German Revolution, 1989-1990
Author(s): Helmut Walser SmithSubject(s): Civil Society, Political history, Government/Political systems, Politics and society, Nationalism Studies, Post-War period (1950 - 1989), Transformation Period (1990 - 2010), Sociology of Politics
Published by: SAGE Publications Ltd
Keywords: Socialism; nationalism; East Germany; revolutions; 1989-1990; civil society; socialist revolution;
Summary/Abstract: History teaches us that people do not always measure up to the expectations of revolutions. Brecht once suggested that in such cases it might be easier "to dissolve the people and elect another." But in 1989 the leaders of the East German revolution did not have this choice. Instead, they watched their socialist revolution become a national revolution. In the beginning East German demonstrators shouted, "we are the people"; in the end they insisted, "we are one people," and exclaimed, "Germany united is my fatherland." Not without pathos, the wellknown East German author Christa Wolf reportedly said, "these are not my people." [...]
Journal: East European Politics and Societies
- Issue Year: 05/1991
- Issue No: 02
- Page Range: 234-246
- Page Count: 13
- Language: English
- Content File-PDF