Migration has had a profound impact on Germany's history. We take a look at the history of immigration since 1945, highlighting the challenges and struggles faced by migrants and the many ways they‘ve changed German society.
As in most places, immigration and emigration have always been part of society in Germany. At the end of the 19th century, many people emigrated from Germany due to persecution and poverty. Immigration also plays a major role: in the 20th century, Germany was one of the world's leading countries of immigration after the United States. The reasons were many and varied: people came as migrant workers, refugees, displaced persons or as "German repatriates". Their starting points differed, all of them came with the hope of a better life and the struggle to fight for their place in socierty. Migration is an irrevocable part of German history. This timeline aims to make this history visible and raise awareness of its diversity.
In this article, we use terms that are very common in the debate but are not always self-designations. In terms of content, the timeline aims to provide an overview of the following questions:
1. What characterises the immigration phase?
2. What were the challenges and struggles of the immigrant groups?
The sources listed below can be used for further research.
Even in the German Empire from 1871 onwards, "foreigners" were systematically devalued in comparison to "Germans". A distinction was made between which immigrant groups were considered "useful" – a classification that unfortunately remains just as relevant today. Anti-Semitism, anti-romani sentiment and other forms of oppression are also part of this history.
This exlusionary idea of a "Volksgemeinschaft" perstisted across different political systems – from the German Empire to the Weimar Republic and National Socialism to the post-war period. 1945 is often seen as "zero hour" in Germany – a radical new beginning that supposedly broke completely with the ideas and policies of National Socialism. But the political foundations for racism and exploitation remain.
Article by Lina Urbat and Alina Kopp. Online editing by Alina Kopp.
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