German history is a complex subject, with many eras seeing radical changes happening in close concession throughout the 20th Century. It can be difficult to comprehend the tragedies experienced by groups such as Jews, Sinti and Roma, disabled individuals, and so many more who were deemed “un-German” or “undesirable” by the Nazi Party.
This piece gives a run-down on German history, and highlights school trip destinations in Berlin that can support the studies of each time period.
The Weimar Republic was the name given to the German government between the end of the Imperial period (1918) and the beginning of Nazi Germany (1933). It draws its name from the town of Weimar in central Germany where the constitutional assembly met. The Weimar Republic was set up as a representative democracy, which tried to give genuine power to all German adults. However, it had major flaws that contributed to its downfall in 1933-34.
Strengths and successes of the Weimar Republic included a democratic process that elected new representatives every four years, granting more power to the Reichstag, and guaranteed freedom of speech under a Bill of Rights.
Over time, Germany became reliant on US loans. When the Wall Street Crash happened in October 1929, the US withdrew its support for Germany. As a result, the German economy fell into a severe depression.
The Depression created the political and economic circumstances that caused millions of Germans to switch their voting habits and support extreme parties — the Nazis and Communists. The Nazi Party gained support after the economy collapsed in 1929, and by 1933 they were the largest party in Germany.
A combination of Nazi propaganda and an increasing willingness to listen to the promises of the Nazis led to increasing support. The weakness of the Weimar constitution and political scheming led to Hitler being made Chancellor in January 1933.
For those studying the Weimar Republic, history trips to Berlin provide valuable out-of-classroom learning experiences. Some key places to visit include:
The Lustgarten in Berlin was a key venue for political activities during the Weimar Republic. It hosted numerous rallies and demonstrations, serving as a microcosm of the broader political and social upheavals of the time.
The Weimar Republic was a time of cultural flourishing, and the Lustgarten was sometimes used for cultural and artistic events, reflecting the dynamic atmosphere of Berlin during this period.
The German Historical Museum (Deutsches Historisches Museum, DHM) provides an extensive and comprehensive look at Germany’s history, including the Weimar Republic. Through its exhibitions, educational programs, and research activities, the DHM offers students valuable insights into the challenges and achievements of this pivotal period in German history.
Countless memorials and preserved sites in Berlin tell stories of courage, sacrifice, commitment and more from those who fought during the Nazi era. Some key sites to visit include:
The Reichstag was a central institution in Nazi Germany, symbolising the dramatic political changes and the consolidation of power by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party. The Nazis used the Reichstag fire in 1933 as a claim of a broader communist plot to overthrow the government.
Today, the Reichstag building stands as a symbol of Germany’s commitment to democracy having been restored and serving as the seat of Bundestag, Germany’s federal parliament.
The Memorial to the Murdered Members of the Reichstag is a significant site in Berlin that honours the memory of the 96 parliament members who were killed by the Nazi regime. Through its poignant design and educational impact, the memorial serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of defending democracy and the sacrifices made by those who stood against oppression.
Both Bebelplatz and Neue Wache are integral parts of Berlin’s historical and memorial landscape, each telling powerful stories of loss, remembrance, and the enduring human spirit in the face of oppression.
Bebelplatz is infamous for the Nazi book burning that took place in 1933, in which around 20,000 books deemed “un-German” perished in a large bonfire. The memorial at Bebelplatz features a room with empty bookshelves, visible through a glass panel set into the cobblestones of the square.
Neue Wache was originally built as a guardhouse for the troops of the Crown Prince of Prussia, but throughout history served many other purposes. It became a war memorial after WWI, and later was used by the East German government as a “Memorial to the Victims of Fascism and Militarism”. Since 1993, the Neue Wache has been the "Central Memorial of the Federal Republic of Germany for the Victims of War and Tyranny."
During the Nazi era, Plötzensee became infamous as a site for the execution of political prisoners, resistance members, and those accused of plotting against Hitler. Between 1933 and 1945, approximately 2,500 people were executed at Plötzensee.
Today, it serves as a memorial and educational centre, honouring the victims and teaching the importance of resistance to tyranny and the defence of human rights.
Representing the early brutality of the Nazi regime against its political opponents, the SA Prison Papestrasse is a historical site in Berlin. It was originally constructed as a barracks in the late 19th century, but was later repurposed by the SA as an unofficial prison and torture chamber for Communists, Social Democrats, trade unionists, and other dissidents.
The Georg Elser Memorial is a tribute to one of the most courageous but lesser known figures of the German resistance against the Nazi regime. Elser attempted to assassinate Hitler in 1939 by planting a bomb in the Bürgerbräukeller in Munich, where Hitler was giving an annual speech commemorating the Beer Hall Putsch of 1923. Elser was arrested near the Swiss border and eventually confessed to the plot. He was imprisoned and later executed at the Dachau concentration camp in 1945.
The Führerbunker was the last headquarters of Adolf Hitler, and is the site where he spent his final days and ultimately took his own life as WWII drew to a close. It is a site of immense historical significance, symbolising the downfall of the Nazi regime and the end of WWII in Europe.
The Holocaust was the systematic, state-sponsored genocide perpetrated by Nazi Germany from 1941-1945, during World War II. Under Adolf Hitler’s regime, six million Jews were murdered through mass shootings, gas chambers, forced labour, starvation, and disease. The Nazis, driven by a racist ideology, targeted Jews as the primary victims but also persecuted Sinti and Roma, disabled individuals, Polish and Soviet civilians, political dissidents, homosexuals, and others deemed “undesirable”.
The genocide began with the invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, which led to the establishment of mobile killing units known as Einsatzgruppen. The “Final Solution”, formulated at the Wannsee Conference in January 1942, formalised the plan to exterminate all Jews through industrialised methods. Concentration and extermination camps, such as Auschwitz, Trablinka, and Sachsenhausen became central to this process, where millions were gassed and their bodies cremated.
The Holocaust came to an end with the defeat of Nazi Germany in May 1945. Allied forces liberated the camps, revealing the full extent of the atrocities to the world. The Holocaust remains one of the most tragic and significant events in human history.
Visiting Holocaust sites can be a harrowing experience, but are an opportunity to honour those who lost their lives in such a tragic period in history. Reflection, education, and remembrance are themes touched upon at the following memorial sites:
Sachsenhausen, located in Oranienburg near Berlin, was one of the first Nazi concentration camps established. It became a model for many of the camps that came later. It was initially used to incarcerate political prisoners, but went on to hold various groups deemed undesirable by the Nazis, including Jews, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and others.
Today, Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp serves as both a memorial to the victims of Nazi atrocities, and a powerful educational resource through its preservation and efforts to remember.
Commonly known as the Holocaust Memorial, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe is a prominent and poignant memorial that has become a symbol of Germany’s commitment to Holocaust remembrance. It was inaugurated in May 2005, and is dedicated to honouring the memory of the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust.
Its striking design, combined with the educational resources of the Information Centre, makes it a powerful site for remembrance, reflection, and education about one of the darkest chapters in human history.
The Sinti and Roma, often referred to as “Gypsies”, were subjected to brutal persecution under the Nazi regime. An estimated 220,000 to 500,000 Sinti and Roma were murdered during the Holocaust.
The memorial serves as a recognition and acknowledgement of the genocide against Sinti and Roma, which was often overlooked or marginalised in the broader narrative of Holocaust history.
The Cold War was a period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United states which began after WWII. In July-August 1945, Allied leaders convened at the Yalta Conference and agreed to divide Germany into four occupation zones, with Berlin — though situated in the Soviet zone — also split into four sections controlled by the US, the UK, France, and the Soviet Union. This division set the stage for escalating tensions between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union, as differing ideologies and interests emerged in the post-war landscape.
In 1948, the Cold War saw a dramatic escalation with the Soviet Union’s blockade of all land and rail routes into West Berlin, aiming to force the Allies out of the city. In response, the Western Allies launched the Berlin Airlift, a massive operation to supply West Berlin with essential food and fuel by air. This operation, lasting until May 1949, successfully countered the blockade and solidified the division of Berlin into East and West. By late 1949, the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) was established with East Berlin as its capital, marking the formal division of Germany.
The Cold War’s impact on Berlin continued throughout the decades. In 1961, the construction of the Berlin Wall by East German authorities further cemented the division, physically isolating West Berlin from East Germany and East Berlin. The wall became a symbol of the ideological divide. In 1963, US President John F. Kennedy’s “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech underscored American support for West Berlin amidst ongoing tensions. The Four Powers Agreement of 1971 eased travel restrictions and increased cooperation between East and West Berlin. The Berlin Wall fell in 1989, leading to a reunification of East and West Berlin, and in 1990, Germany was officially reunified, with Berlin reinstated as the capital of a unified nation.
Berlin hosts a number of museums and memorials to the events of the Cold War, and the impact this had on Germany and Berlin post-WWII. Some key visits include:
Now a historical landmark and museum, Cecilienhof Palace was the location of the Potsdam conference that was convened to discuss post-WWII arrangements. These included the reorganisation of Europe, the handling of Nazi war criminals, and the terms for Japan’s surrender.
The Allied Museum plays a crucial role in preserving and presenting the history of the Allied occupation of Berlin, and offers valuable insights into the broader context of the Cold War. It includes a library and research facilities for those seeking more in-depth information on the topics covered.
Often referred to as the Checkpoint Charlie Museum, Museum Haus am Checkpoint Charlie is situated (and named after) the most famous crossing point between East and West Berlin. It was initially established to document the experiences of those affected by the division of Berlin and to raise awareness about the human rights abuses occurring behind the Iron Curtain.
The Glienicke Bridge, often referred to as the “Bridge of Spies”, is a significant historical landmark located between Berlin and Potsdam. It gained international fame during the Cold War as a site where the United States and the Soviet Union exchanged captured spies.
The Soviet War Memorial in Treptow Park is a tribute to the Soviet soldiers who perished in the Battle of Berlin. It offers spaces to reflect on the war’s legacy, and the profound impact of the Soviet Union’s role in the defeat of Nazi Germany.
The Stasi Prison, officially known as the Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial is a former prison complex in Berlin that was operated by the Ministry for State Security (Stasi) of East Germany. It is now a memorial and museum dedicated to preserving the history of political repression in East Germany.
At Next Generation Travel, we work with you to design a bespoke tour that works with your current curriculum. Endorsed by Pearson Edexcel, we can ensure your students will gain valuable knowledge and experience that they can apply to their studies.
To organise a German history trip to Berlin, get in touch with our team of experts. We can arrange a tailor made itinerary for you including travel, accommodation, and daily activities. Alternatively, call Anglia Tours direct on 01376 574130.