Formation of the West German Army Bundeswehr in 1955. This American film report shows footage of the founding of the Bundeswehr. Konrad Adenauer speaks. Film length 11:00. A licence fee of 22 times 30 seconds is charged to purchase a licence for the complete contribution.
Formation of the West German Army 1955
Description
Formation of the West German Army 1955
Historischer Hintergrund
The formation of the West German Army, officially known as the Bundeswehr, in 1955 was a significant development in post-World War II Europe. After the devastation of World War II, Germany was divided into four occupation zones, controlled by the Allied powers: the United States, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and France.
The idea of rearming West Germany was highly controversial, especially in the context of the Cold War. However, the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950 and the subsequent rearmament of West Germany’s erstwhile enemies, particularly West Germany’s integration into NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) in 1955, shifted the geopolitical dynamics.
The formation of the Bundeswehr marked the end of the Allied occupation of West Germany and the reestablishment of a sovereign German military force. The Bundeswehr was established under civilian control to ensure that the horrors of Nazi militarism would not be repeated. Its creation was underpinned by the principle of democratic control and a commitment to defend Western Europe against potential aggression from the Soviet bloc.
The Bundeswehr initially faced challenges in terms of recruitment, as there was lingering suspicion and opposition to the idea of a reconstituted German military.
The Bundeswehr was recruited through general conscription. However, the right to conscientious objection to military service was enshrined in the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany. A growing number of young men in the 1960s made use of this right and performed civilian service.
However, over time, it became an integral part of NATO’s defense strategy and played a crucial role in the defense of Western Europe during the Cold War. The formation of the West German Army was a pivotal moment in European history, symbolizing Germany’s reintegration into the international community and its commitment to collective security in the face of the Cold War tensions.
V-190138-06
