The fall of the Berlin wall and the reunification soon after was a significant event in the German history and the history of the 20th century in general. But due to the Cold War and the separation of the world into East and West after the end of World War II, there were still brownfields to work on that were left behind the iron curtain.
One of these brownfields was the drawing of new German borders that came along with the formation of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the German Democratic Republic (GDR), both in 1949. Parts of the former German empire were cut off. A large amount of German citizens fled then to the west, others did not and most of them had to stay in Poland or elsewhere further east until 1989. Even more than 50 years after the end of World War II they were still considered as Germans and had therefore the right to live in the mother country. The fact, that they might have been “sovietized” in the meantime did not matter.
Another group that came along with these German late settlers was the Soviet Jews. Jews from the Soviet Union were invited to come to East Germany in 1990 shortly before the German reunification and the Federal Republic then held onto this invitation in order to let discriminated and persecuted Jews as refugees into Germany.
In the following paper I would like to regard the integration process of these two groups. Due to the fact that their motives to leave home and their situation in the Soviet Union was similar to each other I will regard this group mainly as one and will then focuse on the situation that awaited them in the new Germany. I will work on legal aspects and their public reception aiming to study on the question whether their particular privileged status concerning legal acknowledgement and support had also a particular influence on their assimilation in the German society and their identity.
Concerning their identity, the Spätaussiedler and the Soviet Jews are in a different situation then other immigrants in Germany or Europe. Their ethnical identity was their legal reason to migrate, the Spätaussiedler for the fact that they were ethnic Germans and were supposed to be brought ‘home’ and the Soviet Jews due to their discrimination in the SU. For that matter, it would be interesting to see in what way the Jewish congregation and the programs by the German government furthered their integration process.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Bulk
2.1. Studied group of immigrants: German late settlers and Soviet Jews
2.1.1. Origin
2.1.2. Numbers and statistics
2.1.3. The situation – reasons to leave the Soviet Union, reasons to go to Germany
2.2. Legal situation
2.2.1. Concerning the immigration
2.2.2. Concerning the integration
2.3. Integration
2.3.1. Language skills
2.3.2. Education and work
2.3.3. Housing, criminality and other aspects
2.3.4. In particular: integration into the Jewish congregation
2.4. The public perception
3. Conclusion
4. Literature
4.1. Monographs
4.2. Articles
4.3. Webpages
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the integration process of two specific immigrant groups in Germany—German late settlers (Spätaussiedler) and Soviet Jews—who arrived following the collapse of the Soviet Union. The study investigates whether their unique, privileged legal status and the public perception of these groups influenced their assimilation into German society and the development of their individual and group identities.
- Legal frameworks governing the migration of ethnic Germans and Soviet Jews.
- Indicators of integration including language proficiency, education, and employment.
- The specific role of Jewish congregations in the integration of new arrivals.
- Societal attitudes and the impact of public perception on immigrant self-esteem.
- Comparative analysis of how these groups navigate their new environment in Berlin.
Excerpt from the Book
2.4. The public perception
After the euphoria of a reunited country, people in Germany started soon being suspicious towards the new developments in their country. While until 1989 the iron curtain and the unknown behind it threatened the Western world, the wide open doors and the new flow of immigrants did as well. The general developments in Germany and especially in Berlin during the 1990’s happened to most people too fast to keep up with and to understand. Especially the immigration from the east was -after a warm welcome- regarded with suspect and fear. It is in the human nature to fear or to lock out the “other” but only those that stand out from oneself can be recognized as “other”.
The flow of mainly female Polish immigrants who then worked as cleaning ladies in middle-class households did not attract attention, also due to their modest lifestyle. The newly-rich Russian with their extravagant presentation did attract attention and provoked therefore mistrust. Xenophobia and envy led to rumors about the source of their wealth; and some facts about the rise of reputed criminality in Berlin confirmed these rumors. The most persistent rumor is about the Jewish community being used as the Mafia’s network. According to the public perception, the sudden upcoming of mattress shops all over Berlin in the 1990’s and also in the rest of Germany has something to do with laundering money; as well as the Sushi restaurants.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Presents the context of German reunification and the subsequent arrival of two distinct groups, Spätaussiedler and Soviet Jews, framing the study’s focus on their legal status and integration.
2. Bulk: Provides a comprehensive background on the origins, statistical data, legal situations, and specific indicators of integration such as language, education, and housing for both immigrant groups.
3. Conclusion: Summarizes that while integration for both groups has been relatively successful, it is heavily influenced by external factors like public perception and the availability of specific support networks.
4. Literature: Lists the scholarly monographs, articles, and web resources consulted during the research process.
Keywords
Germany, Soviet Union, Spätaussiedler, Soviet Jews, Integration, Migration, Legal status, Berlin, Public perception, Assimilation, Jewish congregation, Identity, Holocaust, Xenophobia, Russian Mafia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the integration process of two specific groups: ethnic German late settlers (Spätaussiedler) and Soviet Jews who migrated to Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
Key themes include the legal frameworks for migration, the impact of public perception, socio-economic integration indicators like language and work, and the role of religious institutions.
What is the core research question?
The research asks whether the privileged legal status and support granted to these immigrant groups significantly influenced their assimilation and identity within German society.
Which scientific methodology is applied in the study?
The author uses a convergent approach, treating both groups as one for the purpose of analyzing their integration, while reviewing legal aspects and public discourse.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the text?
The main body covers historical origins of the migration, legal challenges concerning residency, social indicators of integration, and the influence of media and societal stereotypes.
How would you characterize this work using keywords?
Essential keywords include migration, integration, Spätaussiedler, Soviet Jews, public perception, and identity.
Why did the German government specifically invite Soviet Jews in 1990?
The invitation was extended to allow discriminated and persecuted Jews from the former Soviet Union to find refuge in Germany, while also aiming to strengthen local Jewish congregations.
How did public perception affect these immigrants in Berlin?
The perception of these groups, particularly the newly-rich Russian immigrants, led to suspicion, xenophobia, and persistent, albeit unproven, rumors regarding criminal associations and money laundering.
What is the author's conclusion regarding the assimilation of these groups?
The author concludes that assimilation has been relatively successful, especially for earlier cohorts who had access to generous government programs, though Soviet Jews face a longer, more complex assimilation path due to their distinct community networks.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Katharina Hoffmann (Autor:in), 2010, Immigrants from the Soviet Union to Germany, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/161224
