Since 1945, various groups of immigrants have made their way to Germany, which has been an attractive destination because of its prosperity and its location in the centre of Europe.
However, for a long time Germany′s politicians upheld the perception that Germany was not a country of immigration and therefore failed to develop a common immigration and citizenship policy. This paper will depict this paradox and its consequences, which are a mix of policies that the government adopted for different groups of immigrants.
Furthermore, Germany′s immigration and citizenship policies were significantly influenced by internal and external political factors, which arose out of the Cold War. As a consequence, Germany had to react to the radical change in international politics in 1989. This paper will attempt to analyse these factors by highlighting Germany′s three main groups of immigrants: ethnic Germans, labour migrants and asylum seekers.
The influx of ethnic Germans in the aftermath of World War II shaped Germany′s exceptional notion citizenship. This notion found its expression in Article 116 of the constitution and is rooted in German history, but was also shaped by the ideologies of the Cold War. This paper will show that Germany′s citizenship policy resulted from its geographical division into a capitalistic West and a communist East and that it made an artificially distinction between ethnic Germans and other immigrants such as labour migrants and asylum seekers.
The collapse of communism and Germany′s unification in 1989 led to a change in German immigration and citizenship policies. It signalled an end to ideologically motivated policies regarding immigration. Open borders and an increased influx of ethnic Germans and asylum seekers induced the government to take restrictive measurements in order to gain control over these inflows. This paper will address the most significant changes, which consisted of the reappraisal of the notion of German citizenship and an amendment of Germany′s generous right to asylum.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Is Germany a country of immigration?
- Germany's immigration and citizenship policies 1945-1989
- Ethnic Germans
- Labour migrants
- Asylum seekers
- 1989 German reunification and the end of the Cold War
- Restriction on ethnic German immigration
- The asylum compromise in 1993
- A new approach to German citizenship
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to analyze the paradoxical nature of Germany's immigration and citizenship policies from 1945 to 2000, specifically highlighting the significant influence of the Cold War. It examines how the denial of Germany's status as a country of immigration hindered the development of a cohesive policy, resulting in a fragmented approach to different immigrant groups.
- The impact of the Cold War on shaping Germany's immigration policies.
- The paradoxical nature of Germany's self-perception as not being a country of immigration despite significant immigration flows.
- The distinct treatment of three main immigrant groups: ethnic Germans, labour migrants, and asylum seekers.
- The evolution of German citizenship laws and their relationship to Cold War ideologies.
- The significant changes in immigration and citizenship policies following German reunification in 1989.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This chapter introduces the post-World War II influx of immigrants into European countries and the resulting focus on immigration control. It highlights Germany's unique situation, shaped by the Cold War's division into East and West Germany (GDR and FRG), and the resulting impact on its immigration and citizenship policies. The chapter establishes the paper's central argument: that Germany's approach to immigration was paradoxical, denying its status as an immigration country while simultaneously experiencing significant immigration, leading to a fragmented policy approach.
Is Germany a country of immigration?: This chapter delves into the core paradox of Germany's immigration policies. While Germany's central European location and economic prosperity attracted significant immigration, successive governments consistently denied its status as an immigration country. This denial, the chapter argues, became a significant obstacle to the development of a comprehensive and coherent immigration policy, creating a complex and often contradictory framework for integrating different immigrant groups. The chapter lays the groundwork for exploring the specific policies adopted in response to various immigrant groups throughout the following chapters.
Germany's immigration and citizenship policies 1945-1989: This chapter provides an overview of Germany's immigration and citizenship policies during the Cold War era, focusing on three main immigrant groups: ethnic Germans, labor migrants, and asylum seekers. Each group experienced different treatment under the law, highlighting the fragmented nature of German immigration policy under the shadow of the Cold War. The chapter examines how differing ideologies, political objectives, and historical context shaped the policies affecting these groups, laying the groundwork for understanding the impact of these policies on German society and the subsequent changes post-reunification.
1989 German reunification and the end of the Cold War: This chapter analyzes the significant shifts in German immigration and citizenship policies following the fall of the Berlin Wall and German reunification in 1989. The end of the Cold War signified an end to ideologically driven policies, leading to open borders and a surge in immigration. The increased influx of ethnic Germans and asylum seekers prompted the government to implement restrictive measures to control immigration. The chapter addresses significant changes, including the re-evaluation of German citizenship and amendments to the country's generous asylum laws, reflecting a shift towards a more controlled and restrictive immigration policy.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
German immigration policy, Cold War, citizenship, ethnic Germans, labor migrants, asylum seekers, German reunification, Article 116, immigration control, integration, post-war Germany, Cold War ideology.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Overview of Germany's Immigration and Citizenship Policies (1945-2000)
What is the main focus of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of Germany's immigration and citizenship policies from 1945 to 2000. It analyzes the paradoxical nature of these policies, highlighting the significant influence of the Cold War and the fragmented approach to different immigrant groups. The document includes a table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the key themes explored in this analysis?
Key themes include the impact of the Cold War on shaping Germany's immigration policies; the paradoxical nature of Germany's self-perception as not being a country of immigration despite significant immigration; the distinct treatment of ethnic Germans, labor migrants, and asylum seekers; the evolution of German citizenship laws and their relationship to Cold War ideologies; and the significant changes in immigration and citizenship policies following German reunification in 1989.
What were the main immigrant groups addressed in Germany's policies during this period?
The document focuses on three main immigrant groups: ethnic Germans, labor migrants, and asylum seekers. Each group experienced different treatment under the law, reflecting the fragmented nature of German immigration policy.
How did the Cold War influence Germany's immigration policies?
The Cold War significantly shaped Germany's immigration policies. The division of Germany into East and West, and the differing ideologies of the two states, influenced the approach to immigration and the treatment of different immigrant groups. The document explores how Cold War ideologies impacted the development and implementation of immigration and citizenship laws.
What is the central argument presented in this document?
The central argument is that Germany's approach to immigration was paradoxical. While experiencing significant immigration, successive governments consistently denied its status as an immigration country. This denial hindered the development of a comprehensive and coherent immigration policy, resulting in a fragmented approach.
How did German reunification in 1989 affect immigration policies?
German reunification in 1989 led to significant shifts in immigration and citizenship policies. The end of the Cold War led to open borders and a surge in immigration. This prompted the government to implement restrictive measures to control immigration, including re-evaluating German citizenship and amending asylum laws.
What is covered in each chapter of the document?
The document includes an introduction establishing the context and central argument. Subsequent chapters delve into whether Germany considered itself a country of immigration, detail immigration policies from 1945-1989 focusing on the three main immigrant groups, and finally, analyze the changes post-reunification and the end of the Cold War.
What are the key words associated with this topic?
Key words include: German immigration policy, Cold War, citizenship, ethnic Germans, labor migrants, asylum seekers, German reunification, Article 116, immigration control, integration, post-war Germany, and Cold War ideology.
- Quote paper
- Kristina Beckmann (Author), 2002, The Impact of the Cold War on Germany's Immigration and Citizenship Policies from 1945 to 2000, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/9916
