Post- WWII feelings

This week we discussed how Germany reconstructed their country after World War II. Germany suffered many loses due to the war: around 7 million Germans were killed, many key cities were destroyed due to bombing and their country was being run by foreign powers. This loss and destruction also lead to a loss of German identity and what is means to be "German."The German Nation post-war had feelings of grief, anger, guilt, sadness and frustration. Due to this, Stunde Null occurred on May 8th, 1945. Stunde Null, also known as "Hour Zero", is a term that means new beginnings. After the devastation of the war, the hour zero was meant to be a way to distance Germany from the horrific actions of the Nazi Party and to create a better, brighter future for the country. However, starting over was not so easy. There was economic, social and political strife still in the country. How German's dealt with their new post war reality varied widely.



Berlin post-World War II: The physical destruction due to the war can clearly be seen in this image of two children walking down a street. The street appears filled with rubble. Many cities such as Berlin were destroyed due to the bombings during the war. 

A way for many German's to cope with their new reality was through artistic endeavors. In this week's reading, I was able to learn more about the life and ideology of one of Germany's most famous song-writer's: Wolf Biermann. A central theme in Biermann's songs and poems were about the search of a "Homeland" or Heimat. Post war Germany was not home for him, neither East or West Germany, and his songs show the disappointment and disillusionment with the new version of the country. His music and it's popularity demonstrate that many German's were not content with their new reality. In fact, the idea of Standu Null, was not completely accepted by the whole country. The term "Vergangenheitsbewältigung" or "coping with the past" was preferred by many. Rather than starting over and forgetting everything in the past, many struggled to so seamlessly move on. A film that demonstrates these feelings is "Germany Year Zero" which follows the life of a boy after the war. Although the title alludes to Standu Null, the film shows the feelings of despair and sadness that persisted to plague the country. These feelings were also demonstrated in art and writings, places where all the negative feelings could be expressed. For example, journalist Eagon Kogon wrote in 1947:
The old ways continue, they have not been eliminated; through mistakes, failures, weakness, and all sorts of stupidity on all sides, they are poisoning existence and crippling our thought, our actions, they besmirch our feelings, they overshadow all hope.

Despite attempts by many to start over at hour zero, many did not share the hopefulness of this idea. 

 Das Holderlin-Lied by Wolfgang Biermann: This song by Biermann where he sings: In this country we feel like foreigners, the alienation and sadness with the new Germany is felt. 


As an American currently living in the U.S political climate, I feel like I can relate to the disillusionment felt by many German's. Living under a presidency that promises "America to be Great", it seems that promises and reality are not the same. As in post World War II Germany, these feelings have been expressed by many artists through art, music, poems and literature. A genre that has tackled these issues quiet clearly is rap. Artist's such as Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Joey Bada$$ and Childish Gambino share the frustration, anger and disappointment of living in today's America. Additionally, another medium that has been used is comedy. Many comedians have expressed their disappointment in what is currently America, however in a way to make an audience laugh. It is clear through analysis of different mediums, that during and after distressing times, people use art, music and laughter to express their pain and recover.

This is America- Childish Gambino
Land of the Free- Joey Bada$$

John Mulaney: In this bit, Mulaney discussed how confusing it is to have the current presidency.