Time to Speak Out - The Leipzig Citizen Protests and the Fall of East Germany

Informationen zum Autor WAYNE C. BARTEE is Professor of History at Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri./e Klappentext Among the surprising events in Eastern Europe in 1989, none astonished the world more than the nonviolent overthrow of the East German Communist regime. This book examines the collapse of East Germany as it unfolded in one city, Leipzig. Analyzing the leading role of the GDR's second largest city, Bartee combines chronological and descriptive narration of events with an in-depth critique of leading actors and groups. Prominent among these are the Protestant churches and the array of opposition groups concerned for peace, freedom, human rights, justice, and the environment. Bartee focuses in particular on the famous peace prayer services in St. Nicholas Church and the protest activities of the groups as they expanded into the mass demonstrations of late 1989. Using surveys and interviews with participants, as well as Leipzig archives, this study examines the motivations and methods of the demonstrators. Bartee concludes that, while the prayer services provided hope, inspiration, and information, the strong desire for a free, open society served as the group's chief motivation. Zusammenfassung An examination of the collapse of East Germany as it unfolded in one city! Leipzig. Analyzing the leading role of the GDR's second largest city! it combines chronological and descriptive narration of events with an in-depth critique of leading actors and groups. Inhaltsverzeichnis Foreword by Uwe Schwabe Preface We Are the People! The GDR: A "House without Doors and Windows" and its Guardians "To Hope or to Give Up": The Churches and the Dissidents Mosquitoes in the Air: The Church-Related Alternative Groups in Leipzig "Not a Spirit of Fear, But of Power and Love and Self-Control": The Peace Prayer Meetings at St. Nicholas Church "Time to Voice our Convictions Bravely and Openly": The Mass Demonstrations in Leipzig Conclusions Appendix Selected Bibliography Index ...

Product details

• Authors: Wayne C. Bartee, Bartee Wayne C.
• Publisher: Greenwood Press
• Languages: English
• Age Recommendation: ages 7 to 17
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 01.01.2008
• EAN: 9780275969820
• ISBN: 978-0-275-96982-0
• No. of pages: 244
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Regional and national histories; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political administration; HISTORY / Europe / Germany, Postwar 20th century history, from c 1945 to c 2000, European History, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Ideologies / General, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Public Affairs & Administration, Revolutions, uprisings, rebellions, Later 20th century c 1950 to c 1999, Revolutionary groups & movements, C 1980 To C 1990, c 1980 to c 1989, Central / national / federal government, East Germany, Ddr, Central government, Revolutionary groups and movements, HISTORY / Revolutions, Uprisings & Rebellions, World History: Politics and Government