Is May 8 a day of liberation, silence, or something in between? In Germany, the anniversary of the Nazi regime’s surrender remains contested terrain—remembered fervently in some circles, ignored in others, and deeply shaped by the fault lines of Cold War division and post-reunification memory politics. As debates over its meaning persist, the date reveals less about the past than about how—and why—societies choose to remember.
Introduction:
The end of the war in 1945 and the question of how people in East and West Germany dealt with the memory of this decisive event and continue to deal with it today show, as if through a burning glass, the effects that the subjective perception of the events, but also the political will, can have on the culture of remembrance.
In this lesson, students acquire the following skills:
- Historical expertise/knowledge:
- Knowledge about the historical events surrounding the end of the war
- Knowledge of the culture of remembrance in the Federal Republic and the GDR as well as in reunified Germany
- Methodological and reflective skills: Handling historical sources and critically scrutinising their perspective – especially regarding the historical background of the end of WWII, the Cold War and recent political events.
- Narrative skills: Developing your own interpretations regarding the historical facts and verbalising results as well as your own opinion (e.g. with regard to the question of whether 8 May should become a bank holiday)
- Orientation competence: Recognising that the debate about the end of the war is also important in today’s politics and can play a role in one’s own political stance.
Exercise 1: Historical Fact Game
Online quiz
The aim of this exercise is to recapitulate the historical events surrounding the end of World War II and to discuss their significance for the future of Germany. The ambivalence of the commemoration is already apparent here, as two different dates for the end of war were fixed for East and West with May 8 and May 9 and therefore different starting points. At the same time, the dimension of defeat becomes apparent here.
Exercise 2: Liberation Or Defeat – Different Perspectives On The End Of World War II
Position Line
This exercise aims to show the different perspectives on the end of the war. Whether the end of the war was more of a liberation or a defeat depends largely on the personal situation of the individual people and how they experienced the end of the war. Historical sources such as photos and eyewitness accounts enable pupils to adopt and reflect on these different perspectives. This multi-perspectivity also highlights the problem of dealing with the end of the war until today.
Exercise 3: Remembering In East And West
Working with historical sources in groups
This exercise aims to analyse historical sources critically and work out the different ways in which the end of the war is remembered in East and West Germany. You will recognise that the Cold War in the background is also partly responsible for the differences. At the same time, it becomes clear how difficult it was for the Germans in East Germany to come to terms with their inglorious past and how the ideological differences between the two systems masked this re-evaluation.
Exercise 4. May 8 as a National Public Holiday
A panel discussion
In this exercise, the students take a critical look at May 8 as a day of remembrance. Should the day become a national/European public holiday in Germany (or Europe)?
The simulation of a panel discussion aims to further develop teamwork, critical thinking and their own judging skills. By playing different roles and adopting different positions, the students discuss whether May 8 could be a good national or European public holiday. In doing so, they have to consider different interests and perspectives.
Exercise 5. May 8 Today – Right-Wing Movements And Historical Revisionism
Analysis of public speech, creative task
In this exercise, the students deal with how right-wing political forces in particular dealing with the end of the war, which has led to discussions in the German public for several times. Using the example of an interview with Alice Weidel, the leader of the AfD party, they learn about her position and her associated justification. By taking up opposing positions, they should learn to develop their own opinion. This exercise also aims to promote historical-critical thinking and develop their own powers of judgment.
This exercise can be used as an alternative to the panel discussion (exercise 4).
Exercise 1: Historical Fact Game
Exercise 3: Remembering In East And West
