The Chancellor: The Remarkable Odyssey of Angela Merkel

Angela Merkel’s tenure as Chancellor of Germany from 2005 to 2021 is a significant period in contemporary European history, marked by radical political, economic, and social changes. To understand her chancellorship, one must understand the historical context that shaped post-World War II Germany.

After the end of WWII and the fall of the Third Reich, Germany was divided into four occupation zones controlled by the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and the Soviet Union. The western zones, influenced by democratic ideals and capitalism, merged to form the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) in 1949. By contrast, the Soviet-controlled eastern zone became the German Democratic Republic (GDR), adhering to the Soviet interpretation of Marxism. This division created stark contrasts between the two Germanys. The FRG, with its capital in Bonn, developed into a prosperous, democratic state integrated into Western Europe and NATO. The GDR, with its capital in East Berlin, was marked by state control and limited political freedoms. The Berlin Wall, erected in 1961, became the physical symbol of this division, representing the ideological clash of the Cold War.

The Berlin Wall’s fall in November 1989 marked the end of the Cold War and the fall of the communist regimes sustained by the USSR across Eastern Europe. After a series of protests and mounting pressure, the East German government announced that citizens could cross the border freely. This led to jubilant scenes as East and West Germans tore down the wall, reuniting with family and friends. The fall of the Berlin Wall set the stage for German reunification, which was formally achieved in October 1990. This important event redefined Germany’s political landscape and would impact Merkel’s future leadership. The Soviet Union dissolved in 1991.

The historical memory of the Holocaust is also essential to understanding Germany’s identity, political landscape, and the policies at the core of Angela Merkel’s mandates. Nazi Germany, under Adolf Hitler’s leadership, implemented the systematic genocide of 6 million Jews and millions of others, including Romani people, disabled individuals, political dissidents, and more. The collective memory of the Holocaust and the war’s destruction are central to Germany’s post-war policies, which focus on democracy, human rights, de-militarization, and a commitment to peace and reconciliation.