Anglo/GDR relations and the role of Christian idealism in Cold War politics, 1961-1965 : a case study of the Coventry/Dresden project
This study is an examination of the interaction between Anglo/GDR relations and GDR Church/state relations during the first half of the 1960s. Using the Coventry/Dresden project of Christian reconciliation as a case study, it analyses the manner in which the governments of both countries exploited the concept of Christian/Marxist dialogue in order to create a climate of co-operation within the GDR which would, in the short term, ensure the stability of the regime. In particular, this study examines the activities of Christian organisations such as the British Council of Churches and Coventry Cathedral in Britain, Aktion SuÌhnezeichen (an organisation founded to atone for Nazi war crimes) in the GDR, and the Evangelische Akademie in West Berlin. It sets these activities in the context of Anglo/GDR official bilateral relations, particularly the West's policy of non-recognition of the GDR; GDR Church/state relations; and Ulbricht's period of domestic liberalisation between 1963 and 1965. In the context of the Coventry/Dresden project of reconciliation, special attention is paid to Church/state relations in the diocese of Saxony, and to Anglo/GDR relations at the regional level of city partnerships. Based on
Thomas, Merrilyn Frances
Germany
Anglo/GDR relations and the role of Christian idealism in Cold War politics, 1961-1965 : a case study of the Coventry/Dresden project. This study is an examination of the interaction between Anglo/GDR relations and GDR Church/state relations during the first half of the 1960s. Using the Coventry/Dresden project of Christian reconciliation as a case study, it analyses the manner in which the governments of both countries exploited the concept of Christian/Marxist dialogue in order to create a climate of co-operation within the GDR which would, in the short term, ensure the stability of the regime. In particular, this study examines the activities of Christian organisations such as the British Council of Churches and Coventry Cathedral in Britain, Aktion SuÌhnezeichen (an organisation founded to atone for Nazi war crimes) in the GDR, and the Evangelische Akademie in West Berlin. It sets these activities in the context of Anglo/GDR official bilateral relations, particularly the West's policy of non-recognition of the GDR; GDR Church/state relations; and Ulbricht's period of domestic liberalisation between 1963 and 1965. In the context of the Coventry/Dresden project of reconciliation, special attention is paid to Church/state relations in the diocese of Saxony, and to Anglo/GDR relations at the regional level of city partnerships. Based on
anglo relation role christian idealism cold_war politics case_study coventry project study examination interaction anglo relation gdr church relation using coventry project christian reconciliation case_study analyse manner government country exploit concept christian marxist dialogue order_create climate co_operation within gdr would short_term ensure stability regime particular study_examines activity christian organisation british council churches coventry cathedral britain organisation found nazi war crime gdr west berlin set activity context anglo official bilateral relation particularly west policy non recognition gdr gdr church relation period domestic context coventry project reconciliation special_attention_pay church state relations org diocese anglo relation regional_level city partnership based