A Time to Speak Out: The Leipzig Citizen Protests and the Fall of East Germany

by Wayne C. Bartee

Overview

Among the surprising events in Eastern Europe in 1989, none astonished the world more than the nonviolent overthrow of the East German Communist regime. This book examines the collapse of East Germany as it unfolded in one city, Leipzig. Analyzing the leading role of the GDR's second largest city, Bartee combines chronological and descriptive narration of events with an in-depth critique of leading actors and groups. Prominent among these are the Protestant churches and the array of opposition groups concerned for peace, freedom, human rights, justice, and the environment.

Bartee focuses in particular on the famous peace prayer services in St. Nicholas Church and the protest activities of the groups as they expanded into the mass demonstrations of late 1989. Using surveys and interviews with participants, as well as Leipzig archives, this study examines the motivations and methods of the demonstrators. Bartee concludes that, while the prayer services provided hope, inspiration, and information, the strong desire for a free, open society served as the group's chief motivation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780275969820
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	09/30/2000
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.62(d)
Lexile:	1520L (what's this?)

About the Author

WAYNE C. BARTEE is Professor of History at Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri./e

Table of Contents

Foreword by Uwe Schwabe
Preface
We Are the People!
The GDR: A "House without Doors and Windows" and its Guardians
"To Hope or to Give Up": The Churches and the Dissidents
Mosquitoes in the Air: The Church-Related Alternative Groups in Leipzig
"Not a Spirit of Fear, But of Power and Love and Self-Control": The Peace Prayer Meetings at St. Nicholas Church
"Time to Voice our Convictions Bravely and Openly": The Mass Demonstrations in Leipzig
Conclusions
Appendix
Selected Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Overviews the protest movement in Leipzig in the 1960s-80s, examining the interaction of church, state, and oppositional groups. Considers repressive policies of the state and why they failed to destroy opposition, and describes policies of the Lutheran Church in relation to the state and to oppositional groups. Looks at alternative groups and their role in the Monday prayer services, and analyzes characteristics and motives of prayer meeting attendees and demonstrators. Bartree teaches history at Southwest Missouri State University. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews