Abstract:The capitulation of the Nazi government on May 8th, 1945 marks the beginning of the German postwar-period, which is the subject of this article. This date is often called “Stunde Null” (“zero hour”), because it represents a new beginning for the German people after the total breakdown. As such, there remained very little on which they could build, or in which they could believe. In this situation, the “Grundgesetz” – the new German constitution – became an important symbol for the Federal Republic of Germany. … Show more
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