Germany after Hitler - an interesting history

While visiting Bonn recently, the erstwhile capital of West Germany, I made a stop at the Museum of Contemporary History, a highly rated local attraction. The museum had free entry, but the real surprise and relief was to find an English audio guide! Perhaps because of the historical western influence for this part of the country, most boards were in English too.

The gallery entrance was setup like a rubble from the bombings of war, with signs proclaiming the allies' final push towards capturing Berlin in the Second World War. This, was the theme of this museum - to trace the history of Germany from 1945 until present day, covering all aspects of the final Nazi defeat, surrender treaty, reconstruction efforts by the victors, division of Germany and the eventual unification, while also abundantly covering the economy, culture and people aspects of the past 70 years. I thoroughly enjoyed the museum, spent my entire day there, learning quite a bit about these oft-missed aspects. 

Enough has been written about the world war, Nazi atrocities and the various battles, but the trials and tribulations of picking up a country that was all but destroyed in a major war, and tracing the path of its recovery back to world dominance is a commendable topic that needs detailing. Germany is promoting this museum to let its people and tourists learn this checkered past, and it was heartening to see a lot of families and locals spending time educating their kids on their national history!

Collection of interesting pictures & cartoons

Here, I share some of my favorite pictures & brilliant cartoons split across 3 key phases of this history:

1. Culmination of WWII and the Nazi defeat

This shows the final days of war & internal deep discontent on Nazi rule. Actual bomb shells, bricks and recovered household items are used to recreate real war scenes, combined with posters of the joint rule established under Soviet-US-UK-France. Heart-wrenching is the gallery on millions of missing civilians & the re-tracing efforts. The actual TV clippings of orphaned kids shown on TV, in an effort to trace the parents is poignant, where most kids are so young that they just smile innocently at the camera.

Entrance with actual vehicles used..	Partial structures built with actual bricks
...and a lot of war rubble & bomb shells	Map with occupation areas after Nazi defeat

2. Germany's Division & twin diverging paths of reconstruction

The stark contrast in the reconstruction efforts of West & East Germany under the US and Soviet rules is highlighted. Interesting stories about the controversial Marshal plan, Candy bombers, rigged elections and historic events of nation building are covered through excellent articles, videos & samples. The events leading up to the Berlin wall and massive casualties suffered therein are captured too.

Cartoon showing different approach of US & USSR	Germany's Rulers
Creative setup of 2 zones showing conditions in the East & West	Cartoon on policies

Cartoon shows East Germany starving & isolated	Powerful cartoon on Hitler vs Stalin

The Berlin wall & the Geographic division

3. Socio-economic progress, Economic miracle and resurgence of a unified Germany

This is a heart-warming section on setting up of a social market economy and the Economic miracle led by German scientific progress & brand building - Beetle, Braun, Zeiss lenses, Adler typewriters, Steiff toys, Bayer pharma and hundred others are shown with earliest products. The impact of reconstruction on culture and everyday life is tracked through changing nature of day-to-day objects & actual posters. And yes, there is also a separate gallery celebrating Germany's miraculous 1954 Soccer world cup triumph!

Brilliant cartoon on lowering of post-war restrictions for Germany

Early products of the brands that made Germany..	Why Balance of Trade?

Artifacts on scientific progress..	Interesting twist in the 'logo' tale