German Unification Lesson Plan and Presentation on Goethe Institut Teachers Summer Workshop to Germany

1. Transatlantic Outreach Program
MODERN GERMANY IN GLOBAL HISTORY
German Trivia
What four major German events all
took place on November 9th
?
Abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II - 1918
Hitler’s failed Beer Hall Putsch - 1923
Kristallnacht - 1938
Fall of Berlin Wall - 1989

2. Describe what do you think is going on in this picture? Add details or
change story after more of the picture is revealed.
Why do you think this is taking place?

3. Describe what do you think is going on in this picture? Add details or
change story after more of the picture is revealed.
Why do you think this is taking place?

4. AGENDA
• Introduce TOP’s New Programs
 Germany In Focus: Instructional Strategies for
Secondary Educators.
• Sample Lesson –
 Newscast of the Past: The Reunification of
Germany
• TOP Study Tours to Germany Application Process
• Reflection and Evaluations
A Public / Private Partnership for North American Social Studies
Educators:

5. Transatlantic Outreach Program
GERMANY IN FOCUS: Instructional Strategies for Secondary Educators.
•Focus Sections Content
•Key Components
•Challenging, Innovative & Global
Resources
•Engaging Instructional Activities
•Comprehensive Toolkit
TOP’S NEW
PROGRAMS
• Title
• Focus Questions
• NCSS Curriculum Standards
• Common Core Standards
• Lesson Overview
• Teacher Background Information
• Time
• Instructional Resources
• Procedures
• Whole Group Reflections
• Modifications
• Extensions
ContainsContains Lesson ComponentsLesson Components

6. *Geisa
Transatlantic Outreach Program
Geography
LESSON
CONTENT
INCLUDES:
LESSON
CONTENT
INCLUDES:

7. Transatlantic Outreach Program
REFUGEES IN GERMANY: KAUFBEUREN
INTRODUCTION

8. Transatlantic Outreach Program
SOCIETY
LESSON
CONTENT
INCLUDES:
LESSON
CONTENT
INCLUDES:

9. Transatlantic Outreach Program

10. HISTORY
LESSON
CONTENT
INCLUDES:
LESSON
CONTENT
INCLUDES:
Transatlantic Outreach Program

11. Transatlantic Outreach Program
REUNIFICATION
LESSON
CONTENT
INCLUDES:
LESSON
CONTENT
INCLUDES:

12. POLITICAL SYSTEM
LESSON
CONTENT
INCLUDES:
LESSON
CONTENT
INCLUDES:

13. ECONOMY
LESSON
CONTENT
INCLUDES:
LESSON
CONTENT
INCLUDES:

14. Transatlantic Outreach Program
SUSTAINABILITY
LESSON
CONTENT
INCLUDES:
LESSON
CONTENT
INCLUDES:

15. The Reunification of GermanyThe Reunification of Germany
What caused the reunification of Germany and how has the
process impacted Germany today?
What caused the reunification of Germany and how has the
process impacted Germany today?

16. The Cold War World!The Cold War World!
The “Iron Curtain”
divides Europe
into two
competing
ideologies;
capitalism vs
communism!
The “Iron Curtain”
divides Europe
into two
competing
ideologies;
capitalism vs
communism!
The Cold War divides the world!
NATO and Warsaw Pact: Alliance
systems of democratic West and
communist East.
The Cold War divides the world!
NATO and Warsaw Pact: Alliance
systems of democratic West and
communist East.
QUICK RECAP!QUICK RECAP!

17. Discuss with group members the main ideas and highlights of
the “Point Alpha” homework video!
Discuss with group members the main ideas and highlights of
the “Point Alpha” homework video!
Point Alpha: Geisa, GermanyPoint Alpha: Geisa, Germany
Film ClipFilm Clip

18. The Death Strip!The Death Strip!
The Iron Curtain
and the Fulda Gap!
The Iron Curtain
and the Fulda Gap!
Wolfgang Christmann:
Former West German border guard
Wolfgang Christmann:
Former West German border guard

19. The Gorbachev Years (1985-1991)
Mikhail Gorbachev would become the leader of the Soviet Union in 1985. He
immediately called for much needed reforms to save the floundering Soviet economy!
• Began rapid technological modernization
• Tried to make Soviet Bureaucracy more efficient and responsive
• Created incentives to increase worker productivity

20. President Ronald Reagan
“General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek
prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek
liberalization, come here to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate.
Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.”
- June 12, 1987
“General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek
prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek
liberalization, come here to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate.
Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.”
- June 12, 1987
Film ClipFilm Clip

21. Berlin WallBerlin Wall
Group AssignmentGroup Assignment
Groups will use documents and videos to create and perform a news stor
about an event concerning the reunification of Germany!
Groups will use documents and videos to create and perform a news story
about an event concerning the reunification of Germany!

22. Group #1: Leipzig Peaceful Revolution –October 9, 1989Group #1: Leipzig Peaceful Revolution –October 9, 1989

23. Over 70,000 people peacefully marched in Leipzig to protest the
oppressive East German government.
Over 70,000 people peacefully marched in Leipzig to protest the
oppressive East German government.

24. Mr. Sill and Irmtraud Hollitzer in Leipzig, Germany – July 2016Mr. Sill and Irmtraud Hollitzer in Leipzig, Germany – July 2016
“In the end everything stayed peaceful; it didn’t come to an intervention
of police or military…because the chief of police saw that there were
simply too many coming, many more people than expected.”
- Irmtraud Hollitzer
“In the end everything stayed peaceful; it didn’t come to an intervention
of police or military…because the chief of police saw that there were
simply too many coming, many more people than expected.”
- Irmtraud Hollitzer

25. Group #2: Fall of the Berlin Wall – November 9, 1989Group #2: Fall of the Berlin Wall – November 9, 1989
Yes, he said, the government had adopted a new regulation permitting East Germans
to leave the country at border crossing points. No, he didn't know if passports would be
required. But the change, he said, would take effect "immediately. Without delay."
Yes, he said, the government had adopted a new regulation permitting East Germans
to leave the country at border crossing points. No, he didn't know if passports would be
required. But the change, he said, would take effect "immediately. Without delay."
East German spokesman Guenter Schabowski in 1989. His
stunning and erroneous statement about a new East German
travel law hastened the collapse of the Berlin Wall.
East German spokesman Guenter Schabowski in 1989. His
stunning and erroneous statement about a new East German
travel law hastened the collapse of the Berlin Wall.

27. Group #3: Two-Plus-Four Treaty– October 3, 1990Group #3: Two-Plus-Four Treaty– October 3, 1990
Two German nations plus Four world powers agreed on a
plan to reunify Germany in a peaceful and humane manner.
Two German nations plus Four world powers agreed on a
plan to reunify Germany in a peaceful and humane manner.

28. Helmet Kohl – West
German Chancellor and
architect of German
reunification
Helmet Kohl – West
German Chancellor and
architect of German
reunification

29. THE TWO GERMANYS FINALLY REUNITED

30. Write a thesis statement that analyzes the events that led to
German reunification.
Write a thesis statement that analyzes the events that led to
German reunification.

31. 25 Years Later - October 3, 201525 Years Later - October 3, 2015

32. Group #4: 25 Year Anniversary of Reunification – October 3, 2015Group #4: 25 Year Anniversary of Reunification – October 3, 2015
What is the status of Germany 25 years
after their reunification?
Do Germans feel a sense of national unity?
What is the status of Germany 25 years
after their reunification?
Do Germans feel a sense of national unity?

33. Group #4: 25 Year Anniversary of Reunification – October 3, 2015Group #4: 25 Year Anniversary of Reunification – October 3, 2015
Click on this image to go to 25 Years of German Unification Video!Click on this image to go to 25 Years of German Unification Video!

34. Group #5: Angela Merkel – December 21, 2015Group #5: Angela Merkel – December 21, 2015
Angela Merkel was born on July 17, 1954, in Hamburg, Germany but her father, a Lutheran
pastor, moved the family to East Germany. In 1978, she earned a doctorate in physics at the
University of Leipzig and later worked as a chemist at the Central Institute for Physical
Chemistry, Academy of Sciences.
Angela Merkel was born on July 17, 1954, in Hamburg, Germany but her father, a Lutheran
pastor, moved the family to East Germany. In 1978, she earned a doctorate in physics at the
University of Leipzig and later worked as a chemist at the Central Institute for Physical
Chemistry, Academy of Sciences.

35. Group #5: Angela Merkel – December 21, 2015Group #5: Angela Merkel – December 21, 2015
In 2005, Angela Merkel became Germany's first female chancellor and the first
former citizen of the East Germany (GDR) to lead the reunited Germany. Merkel
was sworn in for a third term in December 2013.
In 2005, Angela Merkel became Germany's first female chancellor and the first
former citizen of the East Germany (GDR) to lead the reunited Germany. Merkel
was sworn in for a third term in December 2013.
The “Merkel diamond” or "Triangle of Power” is the
signature gesture of Angela Merkel, which
represents a steady leadership.
The “Merkel diamond” or "Triangle of Power” is the
signature gesture of Angela Merkel, which
represents a steady leadership.

36. Group #5: Angela Merkel – December 21, 2015Group #5: Angela Merkel – December 21, 2015
“"Whoever decides to dedicate their life to
politics knows that earning money isn’t the
“"Whoever decides to dedicate their life to
politics knows that earning money isn’t the

37. Group #6: Crossfire Debate - Present Day GermanyGroup #6: Crossfire Debate - Present Day Germany
When reunification of Germany occurred in 1990, Chancellor Helmet Kohl
promised, “flourishing landscapes” and his predecessor Willy Brandt stated,
“What belongs together, will grow together.” 25 years later, does Germany feel
united? What are the costs and benefits of reunification?
When reunification of Germany occurred in 1990, Chancellor Helmet Kohl
promised, “flourishing landscapes” and his predecessor Willy Brandt stated,
“What belongs together, will grow together.” 25 years later, does Germany feel
united? What are the costs and benefits of reunification?

38. Group #6: Crossfire Debate - Present Day GermanyGroup #6: Crossfire Debate - Present Day Germany
Colonel Chris Hadfield's photograph of Berlin at night shows a divide between
the whiter lights of former west Berlin and the yellower lights of the east.
Colonel Chris Hadfield's photograph of Berlin at night shows a divide between
the whiter lights of former west Berlin and the yellower lights of the east.

39. Group #6: Crossfire Debate - Present Day GermanyGroup #6: Crossfire Debate - Present Day Germany
Is German reunification a model for
Korean Unification?
Is German reunification a model for
Korean Unification?

40. The Reunification of GermanyThe Reunification of Germany
Write a thesis statement that analyzes the impact of German
reunification 25 years later.
Write a thesis statement that analyzes the impact of German
reunification 25 years later.

41. Transatlantic Outreach Program
TOP STUDY TOURS TO GERMANY
TOP STUDY
TOURS
•Two weeks in length
•All-expenses paid
•K-12 educators
•Visit schools, businesses, government institutions
and historical sites
•Experience cultural events
http://www/goethe.de/top
Application Process:
750 word essay – Statement of Purpose
750 word essay – Lesson Exploration
1 Letter of Recommendation
1 Letter of Proof of Employment
Application Process:
750 word essay – Statement of Purpose
750 word essay – Lesson Exploration
1 Letter of Recommendation
1 Letter of Proof of Employment
Improve your chances by:
1.Conducting and evaluating one of
the TOP lessons
2.Hosting a TOP workshop
Improve your chances by:
1.Conducting and evaluating one of
the TOP lessons
2.Hosting a TOP workshop
Film ClipFilm Clip

42. Transatlantic Outreach Program
HOW DO WE PORTRAY GERMANY THROUGHOUT HISTORY?
INTRODUCTION

43. Transatlantic Outreach Program
GROUP REFLECTION
EVALUATIONS