http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Tue, 21 May 2013 00:40:20 +0200 Tue, 21 May 2013 00:40:20 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/where-s-adolf-tackling-germany-s-nazi-past-in-a-children-s-book-a-788117.html#ref=rss A new German children's book tells the history of the last 100 years by showing how one street and its inhabitants changed over the decades. But depicting the Nazi era and the war without shocking children proved to be a challenge for the authors. Fri, 23 Sep 2011 17:54:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/where-s-adolf-tackling-germany-s-nazi-past-in-a-children-s-book-a-788117.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/controversial-chapters-can-a-jointly-written-history-erase-centuries-of-german-polish-strife-a-759740.html#ref=rss The history of German-Polish relations is full of suffering and mutual recriminations. Experts from both countries have been developing a history textbook meant to teach high-school students on both sides of the border a common narrative. But critics view the effort as destined to fail. Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:46:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/controversial-chapters-can-a-jointly-written-history-erase-centuries-of-german-polish-strife-a-759740.html The history of German-Polish relations is full of suffering and mutual recriminations. Experts from both countries have been developing a history textbook meant to teach high-school students on both sides of the border a common narrative. But critics view the effort as destined to fail. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/expellee-provocation-prague-refuses-apology-to-sudeten-germans-a-768323.html#ref=rss An annual meeting of post-World War II expellees was marred this weekend by bad blood with Prague. The Czech president was outraged after an expellee leader suggested that an apology for their expulsion was in order. The row threatens the fragile process of reconciliation between the two sides. Tue, 14 Jun 2011 14:03:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/expellee-provocation-prague-refuses-apology-to-sudeten-germans-a-768323.html An annual meeting of post-World War II expellees was marred this weekend by bad blood with Prague. The Czech president was outraged after an expellee leader suggested that an apology for their expulsion was in order. The row threatens the fragile process of reconciliation between the two sides.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-time-of-retribution-paying-with-life-and-limb-for-the-crimes-of-nazi-germany-a-759737.html#ref=rss After Hitler's war had been lost, millions of ethnic Germans in regions that are today part of Eastern Europe were expelled -- often under horrendous circumstances. It has been proven that at least 473,000 people died as they fled or were expelled. The Nazis' crimes had been far worse, but the suffering of ethnic Germans was immense. Fri, 27 May 2011 12:49:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-time-of-retribution-paying-with-life-and-limb-for-the-crimes-of-nazi-germany-a-759737.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/economic-boom-poland-is-europe-s-new-high-flyer-a-747244.html#ref=rss Poland, once a backward agricultural country, is quickly becoming an economic powerhouse in Central Europe. The Poles are strongly pro-European, and even their relationship with the Germans is no longer as tense as it was just a few years ago. Nowhere is the transformation easier to see than in Wroclaw. Mon, 21 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/economic-boom-poland-is-europe-s-new-high-flyer-a-747244.html Poland, once a backward agricultural country, is quickly becoming an economic powerhouse in Central Europe. The Poles are strongly pro-European, and even their relationship with the Germans is no longer as tense as it was just a few years ago. Nowhere is the transformation easier to see than in Wroclaw.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/krzysztof-ruchniewicz-on-polish-german-ties-relations-shouldn-t-be-a-one-way-street-a-746178.html#ref=rss More than 65 years after the end of World War II, tensions can still flare up between Germany and Poland. In a SPIEGEL interview, Polish historian Krzysztof Ruchniewicz discusses the postwar "resettlement" of ethnic Germans, improving relations between Germans and Poles and changing attitudes toward the German past of many Polish towns and cities. Fri, 18 Feb 2011 14:24:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/krzysztof-ruchniewicz-on-polish-german-ties-relations-shouldn-t-be-a-one-way-street-a-746178.html More than 65 years after the end of World War II, tensions can still flare up between Germany and Poland. In a SPIEGEL interview, Polish historian Krzysztof Ruchniewicz discusses the postwar "resettlement" of ethnic Germans, improving relations between Germans and Poles and changing attitudes toward the German past of many Polish towns and cities.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-and-its-world-war-ii-victims-historians-condemn-commemoration-day-proposal-a-745731.html#ref=rss A new parliamentary proposal to establish a commemoration day in honor of those Germans expelled from Eastern Europe following World War II has revived an ongoing debate about Germany's 20th century history. Dozens of accomplished academics have blasted the idea in an open letter. Tue, 15 Feb 2011 18:14:34 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-and-its-world-war-ii-victims-historians-condemn-commemoration-day-proposal-a-745731.html A new parliamentary proposal to establish a commemoration day in honor of those Germans expelled from Eastern Europe following World War II has revived an ongoing debate about Germany's 20th century history. Dozens of accomplished academics have blasted the idea in an open letter.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-bad-character-expellee-leader-steinbach-insults-veteran-polish-politician-a-717858.html#ref=rss Politician Erika Steinbach, who represents Germans expelled from Eastern Europe after the war, has insulted former Polish Foreign Minister Wladyslaw Bartoszewski. In a interview, she said the Auschwitz survivor, who is also Poland's commissioner for German-Polish relations, has a "bad character." Thu, 16 Sep 2010 14:55:10 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-bad-character-expellee-leader-steinbach-insults-veteran-polish-politician-a-717858.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-how-far-to-the-right-can-germany-s-conservatives-go-a-716756.html#ref=rss Erika Steinbach, the head of a group that represents Germans expelled from Eastern Europe after World War II, has said she will leave her conservative party's leadership. Her decision comes after criticism of comments she made about Poland's role in starting the war. German commentators ask if she is becoming a Sarrazin for Angela Merkel's party. Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:01:49 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-how-far-to-the-right-can-germany-s-conservatives-go-a-716756.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-s-expellee-museum-charges-of-historical-revisionism-stir-up-berlin-a-710132.html#ref=rss Those Germans who were expelled from Eastern Europe following World War II have long sought recognition of their plight. With a museum in sight, however, some associated with the project have been accused of historical revisionism. Germany, says one deputy board member, wasn't solely responsible for starting the war. Wed, 04 Aug 2010 15:07:27 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-s-expellee-museum-charges-of-historical-revisionism-stir-up-berlin-a-710132.html Those Germans who were expelled from Eastern Europe following World War II have long sought recognition of their plight. With a museum in sight, however, some associated with the project have been accused of historical revisionism. Germany, says one deputy board member, wasn't solely responsible for starting the war.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-polish-relations-respect-for-poland-hasn-t-always-been-germany-s-strong-suit-a-671322.html#ref=rss In a SPIEGEL interview, Janusz Reiter, Poland's former ambassador to Germany, discusses the negative impact on Berlin-Warsaw relations caused by Erika Steinbach, the controversial president ofthe Federation of Expellees, which represents Germans forcefully expelled from Eastern Europe after World War II. Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:32:01 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-polish-relations-respect-for-poland-hasn-t-always-been-germany-s-strong-suit-a-671322.html In a SPIEGEL interview, Janusz Reiter, Poland's former ambassador to Germany, discusses the negative impact on Berlin-Warsaw relations caused by Erika Steinbach, the controversial president ofthe Federation of Expellees, which represents Germans forcefully expelled from Eastern Europe after World War II.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/documentation-center-debate-expellees-paid-a-higher-price-for-crimes-of-third-reich-a-669482.html#ref=rss Preparations are currently underway in Germany for the opening of a museum that will commemorate Germans who were displaced after the country's borders were redrawn in the wake of World War II. SPIEGEL spoke to the director of the government-backed foundation about plans for the museum and the controversies surrounding it that have strained German-Polish relations. Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:21:23 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/documentation-center-debate-expellees-paid-a-higher-price-for-crimes-of-third-reich-a-669482.html Preparations are currently underway in Germany for the opening of a museum that will commemorate Germans who were displaced after the country's borders were redrawn in the wake of World War II. SPIEGEL spoke to the director of the government-backed foundation about plans for the museum and the controversies surrounding it that have strained German-Polish relations.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/splitting-the-german-government-expellee-leader-steinbach-puts-merkel-in-a-tight-spot-a-662900.html#ref=rss Erika Steinbach, the controversial head of an association of Germans expelled from Eastern Europe after World War II, is proving to be a thorn in Merkel's side. What to do about Steinbach has driven a wedge through the new government, and Merkel's attempt to buy Steinbach off with a lucrative government post has failed. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:06:20 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/splitting-the-german-government-expellee-leader-steinbach-puts-merkel-in-a-tight-spot-a-662900.html Erika Steinbach, the controversial head of an association of Germans expelled from Eastern Europe after World War II, is proving to be a thorn in Merkel's side. What to do about Steinbach has driven a wedge through the new government, and Merkel's attempt to buy Steinbach off with a lucrative government post has failed.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/erika-steinbach-and-german-victims-of-wwii-i-want-the-truth-and-nothing-but-a-612131.html#ref=rss Erika Steinbach is a hated figure in Poland. She has dedicated her career to documenting the suffering of Germans expelled from Eastern Europe following World War II. SPIEGEL ONLINE spoke to her about the most recent flare up in Berlin-Warsaw relations and about what Poles must still learn about history. Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:32:59 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/erika-steinbach-and-german-victims-of-wwii-i-want-the-truth-and-nothing-but-a-612131.html Erika Steinbach is a hated figure in Poland. She has dedicated her career to documenting the suffering of Germans expelled from Eastern Europe following World War II. SPIEGEL ONLINE spoke to her about the most recent flare up in Berlin-Warsaw relations and about what Poles must still learn about history.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-expellees-controversy-steinbach-eschews-post-on-museum-board-a-611275.html#ref=rss Chancellor Merkel can breathe a sigh of relief. Erika Steinbach, hated by Poland for her alleged revanchist views on World War II, will forego a spot on the board of a museum for Germans expelled from Eastern Europe. The decions could ease Berlin-Warsaw tensions. Wed, 04 Mar 2009 12:23:03 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-expellees-controversy-steinbach-eschews-post-on-museum-board-a-611275.html Chancellor Merkel can breathe a sigh of relief. Erika Steinbach, hated by Poland for her alleged revanchist views on World War II, will forego a spot on the board of a museum for Germans expelled from Eastern Europe. The decions could ease Berlin-Warsaw tensions.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/expellee-scuffle-merkel-caught-in-a-warsaw-berlin-vice-a-608984.html#ref=rss Once again, Berlin and Warsaw are arguing about the legacy of Germans expelled from Poland following World War II. This time, Chancellor Merkel finds herself at the center of the row -- not a good place to be in an election year. Fri, 20 Feb 2009 14:09:24 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/expellee-scuffle-merkel-caught-in-a-warsaw-berlin-vice-a-608984.html Once again, Berlin and Warsaw are arguing about the legacy of Germans expelled from Poland following World War II. This time, Chancellor Merkel finds herself at the center of the row -- not a good place to be in an election year.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/uprooted-after-world-war-ii-german-government-approves-expellees-museum-a-542503.html#ref=rss A long-disputed project in Berlin will trace the plight of Germans pushed from ancestral land in Poland after World War II. Approval by the German government follows grudging approval by Poland. Wed, 19 Mar 2008 18:00:03 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/uprooted-after-world-war-ii-german-government-approves-expellees-museum-a-542503.html A long-disputed project in Berlin will trace the plight of Germans pushed from ancestral land in Poland after World War II. Approval by the German government follows grudging approval by Poland.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/the-world-from-berlin-german-expellee-leader-hurts-her-cause-with-polish-npd-comments-a-470372.html#ref=rss Erika Steinbach, who heads an organisation representing Germans expelled from Eastern Europe after World War II, has done herself a disservice by comparing Poland's ruling parties to German far-right groups, say German media commentators. Wed, 07 Mar 2007 15:04:47 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/the-world-from-berlin-german-expellee-leader-hurts-her-cause-with-polish-npd-comments-a-470372.html Erika Steinbach, who heads an organisation representing Germans expelled from Eastern Europe after World War II, has done herself a disservice by comparing Poland's ruling parties to German far-right groups, say German media commentators.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/polish-german-relations-suit-evokes-ghosts-of-war-a-456926.html#ref=rss Leaders in Warsaw think Berlin should compensate Germans who were forced to leave Poland after World War II -- and who now want restitution from Poland. The whole controversy makes little sense, even to Polish experts on German expellees. Tue, 02 Jan 2007 15:18:33 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/polish-german-relations-suit-evokes-ghosts-of-war-a-456926.html Leaders in Warsaw think Berlin should compensate Germans who were forced to leave Poland after World War II -- and who now want restitution from Poland. The whole controversy makes little sense, even to Polish experts on German expellees.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/reaction-to-german-compensation-claims-furious-poland-threatens-to-re-open-german-border-treaty-a-455516.html#ref=rss More bad news for Poland's rocky relations with Germany: The Polish government, incensed at a compensation claim by an obscure German group representing people expelled from Poland after World War II, has threatened to reopen a 1990 Treaty fixing the Oder and Neisse rivers as the border between the two countries. Tue, 19 Dec 2006 16:44:23 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/reaction-to-german-compensation-claims-furious-poland-threatens-to-re-open-german-border-treaty-a-455516.html More bad news for Poland's rocky relations with Germany: The Polish government, incensed at a compensation claim by an obscure German group representing people expelled from Poland after World War II, has threatened to reopen a 1990 Treaty fixing the Oder and Neisse rivers as the border between the two countries.]]>