Migration – Germany’s past and present. Thoughts and figures

Abstract

<jats:p>In this article, the history of emigration from Germany and the immigration to Germany especially in relation to its changing borders in the 20th century is discussed. After 1945 Germany was confronted with the integration of a million German refugees. Starting in the 1950s, Germany intentionally attracted foreign workers, and integrated them fairly well. The article analyses the current discussions in Germany in relation to the impact of massive immigration of refugees from non-European areas around 2015. It concludes with a position that in the time of globalisation migration needs a society-focussed and political learning process which has not yet ended and will require more learning. But countries with a declining population are well advised to see immigration as an opportunity for future growth and social diversity.</jats:p>

Negotiations of Identity Among Alevi Immigrants in the Post-9/11 Context: Transnational Perspectives

“…Although, before exploring the migration of Alevis into the diaspora and identity development in transnational communities, it is vital to contextualize the ways in which guest migrant workers were positioned in European societies due to the treatment and discourses that were amplified during this period that significantly impacted various migrant groups in the present-day Germany. While many European nations began to create migrant worker programs, Schmidt (1983) shares that the demand and need for so-called guest workers in Western Germany -referred to as Gastarbeiter -significantly increased; by 1970, there were about four million guest workers in Germany (p. 233;Eltges & Strubelt, 2019). An important note about the term "Gastarbeiter", Eltges and Strubelt (2019) state that "this denomination was purposely selected because it should be positively distinguished against the denomination "Fremdarbeiter" (alien worker) which was used during the Nazi regime" (p. 43).…”

“…While many European nations began to create migrant worker programs, Schmidt (1983) shares that the demand and need for so-called guest workers in Western Germany -referred to as Gastarbeiter -significantly increased; by 1970, there were about four million guest workers in Germany (p. 233;Eltges & Strubelt, 2019). An important note about the term "Gastarbeiter", Eltges and Strubelt (2019) state that "this denomination was purposely selected because it should be positively distinguished against the denomination "Fremdarbeiter" (alien worker) which was used during the Nazi regime" (p. 43).…”