With reference to the period 1949–1990, examine the impact of social and cultural change in West Germany.

Candidates will consider the interrelationship between society, culture and change in West Germany during the period 1949–1990. Candidates may offer equal coverage of social and cultural change or they may prioritize one over the other. However, both aspects will feature in the response. For cultural change, candidates may examine the impact of post-war denazification on the work of such authors as Heinrich Böll and Günter Grass and the films of Reiner Werner Fassbinder. The social impact of anti-communism may also be examined, it led to the provision of health care, education and improved workers’ rights to demonstrate the benefits of a welfare state in a free-market economy. Candidates may examine the impact of immigration into West Germany, from East Germany during the 1950s and from countries such as Turkey throughout the period, noting the changing status of gastarbeiter to that of full citizens. The social and cultural changes of the 1960s, specifically the “68ers” with the emergence of radical groups such as the Baader Meinhoff Group, could be examined. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates consider the interrelationship between society, culture and change in West Germany with reference to the period 1949–1990. Few responses were seen to this question. There were some very good responses with detailed and relevant knowledge. However, some candidates tended to make broad generalisations and needed more specific knowledge to answer the question.