German student movement

The German student movement was a protest movement that took place during the late 1960s in Germany. It was largely a reaction against the perceived authoritarianism and hypocrisy of the German government and other Western governments, and the poor living conditions of students. A wave of protests - some violent - swept Germany, fueled by over-reaction by the police and encouraged by contemporary protest movements across the world. Following more than a century of conservatism among German students, the German student movement also marked a significant major shift to the left and radicalisation of student politics.

The past

To the students, the German chapter of Fascism was not yet closed. Many former Nazis were still working for the government or at the universities and the newly-formed right-wing NPD (National Democratic Party of Germany) was attracting more and more voters. In addition to that the students had to deal with the fact that they were identified as Germans and blamed for the crimes committed by their parents? generation.

Related Topics:
Fascism - Nazi - National Democratic Party of Germany

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The students did not want to be held responsible for their parents? deeds. But their parents acted as if it was no concern of theirs; when the students tried to show the public that the anti-fascist idea of the constitution was not yet established in German society the government and the press felt extremely offended because they had formed a democratic society and did not want it to be attacked.

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