The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 consigned socialism to the bin of history and led to Germany’s reunification. During his twenty years at the helm, he was the face and voice of North Rhine-Westphalia. In 1978, Johannes Rau was elected to succeed Heinz Kühn as Premier. Four years later, the death knell sounded for the Rheinhausen Rolling Mill in Duisburg – which came to symbolise the burgeoning crisis in the Ruhr. In 1987, steelworkers went on strike for the first time in fifty years. This first coal crisis heralded the onset of painful structural changes that were to last several decades. The problems were addressed – albeit only temporarily – through special legislation, referred to as ‘Concerted Action’, and the establishment of the Ruhrkohle AG corporation. The Coal Crisis of 1964 brought the first cracks. ‘They called for labourers, and it was people who came’, Swiss writer Max Frisch once commented on the need for a change of attitude towards the new arrivals. A major contribution came from the fourteen or so million immigrant workers, or ‘guest workers’, many of whom were eventually to stay in the country. The ‘Economic Miracle’ created the basis for wealth for all. That same year, the Coal and Steel Co-determination Act came into force, giving shareholders and workers an equal say in how a coal or steel corporation is run. With a view to overcoming the political and economic obstacles imposed by the International Authority for the Ruhr, the European Coal and Steel Community was set up in 1951, driving forward the country’s economic recovery and laying the groundwork for European integration. At the same time, the Ruhr’s heavy industry was needed for rebuilding North Rhine-Westphalia – and Europe. Never again was the Ruhr to become the centre of German arms production. The values embraced by the people of North Rhine-Westphalia were very neatly summarised when he said, ‘We are Germany’s social conscience’. Karl Arnold, a Christian Democrat, became the first democratically elected State Premier. On 21 January, 1947, the new state was joined by the territory of Lippe. The British Military Government’s ‘Operation Marriage’ created the State of North Rhine-Westphalia on 23 August, 1946, by merging the northern part of the former Prussian Rhine Province with Westphalia, another province of the now defunct state of Prussia. Come and discover the Diversity State! History On an international scale, we are amongst the strongest economies, thanks to innovating enterprises and a broad-based small and medium business sector. Whilst our state has a rich history, it is also well positioned for the future. As a state in the European heartland, we fully embrace the idea of a united Europe of free peoples. The history of the Federal Republic of Germany would not be complete without North Rhine-Westphalia and the city of Bonn. It is also ideal for rest and recreation. The land along the Rhine and Ruhr rivers is built on labour and work. Of the grassland, the forests, the lakes that stretch between the Eifel hills and the Teutoburg Forest range. Thinking of North Rhine-Westphalia also means thinking of the big rivers. Our research establishments are of world renown. We live with culture, and we are sometimes compared – quite rightly – with big international metropolitan centres. No other region has such a large concentration of higher education facilities. Another feature of North Rhine-Westphalia: the many universities. And of the ‘cathedrals of industry’ such as Zollverein, a colliery turned World Heritage site. When you hear North Rhine-Westphalia, you think of Cologne Cathedral, a major landmark in Germany.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |