End of the war 1945 and responsibility – basic principles
How it works
The end of the war 1945 ended the Second World War in Europe; the German Wehrmacht capitulated on 8. May 1945. The four victorious powers, the USA, the Soviet Union, Great Britain and France, assumed occupation authority in Germany. This was followed by denazification, demilitarization, democratization and a political and economic reorganization. The National Socialist crimes, especially the Holocaust, were prosecuted legally, among other things in the Nuremberg Trials. At the same time, a frequently conflict-ridden confrontation began with individual guilt, complicity and social responsibility. The postwar order had a lasting impact on political development in East and West Germany.
After 1945, Germany was occupied and administered in zones. The end of the war meant defeat and a new beginning at the same time: denazification, political reorganization and the coming to terms with National Socialist crimes were intended to clarify responsibility and make new democratic structures possible.
An example
What was one of the main aims of the Nuremberg Trials after 1945?
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50 Exercises
To the learning unit →Own explanation and own practice exercises by AmyMath. Subject reference framework: History. The topic assignment may vary by federal state.