The West German student movement or sometimes called the 1968 movement in West Germany was a social movement that consisted of mass student protests in West Germany in 1968, participants in the movement would later come to be known as 68ers. The movement was characterized by protesting students' rejection of traditionalism and of German political authority which included many former Nazi officials. Student unrest had started in 1967 when student Benno Ohnesorg was shot by a policeman during a protest against the visit of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran. The movement is considered to have formally started after the attempted assassination of student activist leader Rudi Dutschke, which sparked various protests across West Germany. The movement would create lasting changes in German culture.
The more leftist wing of the SDP in the Socialist German Students split from the party line and joined the Außerparlamentarische Opposition. Social movements grew as younger people became disillusioned with the political establishment, worrying it was reminiscent of Germany's Nazi past. West Berlin became a center for these movements since many left leaning people would take residence in West Berlin to avoid the military draft that was in effect in the rest of West Germany. These social movements were also becoming popular among the youth of West Germany. The movements included the opposition to the United States involvement in the Vietnam War, opposition to consumer culture, liberation for the third world, and criticisms of middle class moral values. Some were embracing communal lifestyles and sexual liberation. All these various social movements and the non-parliamentary organizations that hoped to spear head them grouped together as the Außerparlamentarische Opposition.
Prelude
1966 protests
The West German parliament had proposed to expand government powers in the Emergency Laws, as well as to reform universities. On 22 June 1966, 3,000 students from the Free University of Berlin staged a sit-in to demand involvement in the reform process of universities, included democratic management of colleges.
1967 protests
In June 1967 during the state visit of the Shah of Iran, the SDS organized a protest of his visit, criticizing him as a brutal dictator that should not have been welcome in West Germany. The protest was repressed by police and Iranian agents who beat protesters and ended up shooting and killing demonstrating student Benno Ohnesorg. Protests against police brutality would erupt across the country and bring the mayor of Berlin and the police chief to resign. In the fall of 1967 students would establish "Critical Universities" where students would occupy classrooms and give critiques of university structure as well as educate other students in New Left thought.
Events
Attempted assassination of Rudi Dutschke
Rudi Dutschke was a student activist in the growing student protests. On April 11, 1968 he was shot by the far-right Joseph Bachmann. Dutschke was injured but survived the shooting. The attempted assassination of Dutschke would be later regarded as the formal beginning of the West German student movement. Dutschke had previously been labeled an “enemy of the people” in the Springer tabloid Bild-Zeitung. Student activists believed the shooting was inspired by critics of the student movement such as Springer's tabloids. Demonstrations and clashes would later occur outside Springer offices in reaction to the shooting. In the aftermath of the shooting student leaders became more willing to embrace violent tactics in their movements.
Emergency Acts protests
In May the German government considering using the Emergency Acts in response, allowing the Cabinet to suspend parliamentary rule and enact laws in times of crisis. On May 11 protesters gathered in the Capital of Bonn to demand the laws not be used. The German government agreed with protesting labor unions to only use limited concessions, passing the laws on May 30. This agreement dealt a blow to the growing student movement and signaled its demise.
Aftermath
Political consciousness
Despite the failure of the student movement a change in political consciousness lasted throughout the country. Criticisms of West German officials' ties to the old Nazi Party brought the concept of Vergangenheitsbewältigung to the forefront of political discussion. Other various left-wing causes also gained popularity and helped solidify a protest culture in Germany.
"1968 generation"
Those who were involved in the protests of 1968 in West Germany would come to be known as the "1968 generation". Some would develop unique political paths, with some finding roles in government, while others embraced terrorist activities of the Außerparlamentarische Opposition.
