The QCA unit “How has Germany moved from division to unity 1945-2000” has been published to support the teaching of post-1945 history at key stage 3, the first in a series for the QCADfES scheme of work for history. The materials encourage schools to explore the history of Germany beyond the usual narrow focus on 12 years of Nazi dictatorship and to help pupils gain a more balanced understanding of 20th-century Germany.
Building on the earlier unit, “Hot war, cold war: why did the major 20th-century conflicts affect so many people?” it focuses on the main events after 1945: the reasons for the division of the country; how the building of the Berlin Wall was explained by East and West; the difference between life in East and West Germany 1961-85; why the Wall came down; and the challenges faced after reunification in 1989. It also looks at the movement towards European integration in the late 20th century and provides connections and contrasts with aspects of other European countries’ histories.
The unit can be found on the QCA Innovating with History website www.qca.org.ukhistoryinnovating
