Lessons 11–12 · 2 lessons · Sh. Ergashev, B. Xodjayev, J. Abdullayev. World History (1991–2017): textbook for Grade 11 of secondary schools and for students of secondary specialised and vocational institutions. 1st edition. “Turon-Iqbol”, Tashkent, 2018
11
The Federal Republic of Germany, 1991–2017
Textbook: pp. 52–54
GoalDescribe Germany’s political and economic development after unification and the changes after 2022.
New words
the Bundestag, Germany’s federal parliament · Bundestagchancellor, the head of the German government · kanslerreunification · qayta birlashish“Zeitenwende”, the turning point in German security policy announced in 2022 · «Zeitenwende»
Explanation
United Germany, which came into being on 3 October 1990, moved its capital from Bonn to Berlin (the Bundestag decided in 1991 and the move was completed in 1999). Large sums were directed from the west to raise the economy of the eastern states, but unemployment and out-migration remained problems for many years. Helmut Kohl governed until 1998, then Gerhard Schröder (1998–2005) and Angela Merkel (2005–2021); under Schröder the labour market and social system were reformed (“Agenda 2010”), while Merkel led the country through the euro crisis, the decision to give up nuclear power after the Fukushima accident of 2011, and the refugee inflow of 2015. From 2021 the government of Olaf Scholz was in office, and after early elections in 2025 a new government was formed. After February 2022 Germany reduced its dependence on Russian gas, supported Ukraine and announced a defence policy called “Zeitenwende” (turning point). Germany remains the largest economy in the European Union and one of the world’s leading exporters.
Worked examples
After 1990 the eastern and western states: gaps in income and jobs persisted for many years and many young people moved west. Special state funds and new infrastructure narrowed the gap, but full equality has not yet been reached.
2015: Germany received around a million asylum seekers from Syria and other countries. One part of society supported the policy and another criticized it; the issue became central to political debate in the 2017 elections.
Class activity
Divide into two teams and hold a debate on “The Merkel era: achievements and criticisms”: each team gives three arguments supported by the textbook and extra facts.
Practice
1
When was Germany’s capital moved from Bonn to Berlin?
The Bundestag decided in 1991 and the move was completed in 1999.
2
In which years was Angela Merkel chancellor and what was special about her?
In 2005–2021; she was Germany’s first woman chancellor.
3
What changes does the “Zeitenwende” policy mean?
Higher defence spending, strengthening the army, aid to Ukraine and less dependence on Russian energy.
4
Why did the economies of the eastern and western states stay unequal for many years?
In the east the industry inherited from the socialist period proved inefficient, many firms closed, unemployment rose and many people moved west; building new sectors took time.