Nyhet

Constructing Peace

Conscientious Objectors and the Boundaries of State Power in East Germany in the 1960s

AvDavid Doellinger

Inbunden, Engelska, 2026

Del i serien Central European University Press

1 935 kr

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Beskrivning

In 1964, East Germany introduced an alternative, unarmed military service that recognized religious belief as a basis for conscientious objection. In a new category of military unit, pacifists performed construction tasks. While accepting a compromise to wear a military uniform, many construction soldiers (Bausoldaten) refused to conform to the military’s expectations. Some refused to take the service vow and to work on projects with a direct military orientation. They established the principle that there was more to Bausoldat service than simply getting through the eighteen months of wearing a uniform. As civilians, they continued their advocacy by forming networks and local peace groups that became the foundation of a broader social movement committed to peace. Drawing on oral history interviews, Party-State files, military and secret police documents, and church records, Constructing Peace focuses on the development of this activism amongst the first two cohorts of Bausoldaten in the mid-1960s.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum:2026-06-30
Mått:156 x 234 x 21 mm
Vikt:810 g
Format:Inbunden
Språk:Engelska
Serie:Central European University Press
Antal sidor:352
Förlag:Pallas Publications
ISBN:9789048576449

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Mer om författaren

David Doellinger is Professor of History at Western Oregon University. He is the author of Turning Prayers into Protests: Religious-Based Activism and its Challenge to State Power in Socialist Slovakia and East Germany (Central European University Press, 2013).

Recensioner i media

“This book will become a building block for future histories of religion and socialism, or the church in 20th century Germany, or religion in the Cold War, or a comparative history of pacifist movements in East and West, and a lot more histories I cannot even foresee yet.” – Eli Rubin, Western Michigan University

Innehållsförteckning

List of Photos Acknowledgements Abbreviations Introduction 1. The Church’s Response to Obligatory Military Service 2. Conscientious Objectors Refuse to Serve in the Military 3. Making an Alternative Service for Conscientious Objectors 4. The First Bausoldaten Begin their Service (and Refuse to Take the Vow) 5. Navigating the New World of Alternative Service as Bausoldaten 6. Refusing Work Projects 7. Pastoral Care for Military Conscripts 8. Activism as Former Bausoldaten 9. The Second Cohort of Bausoldaten: New Arguments for Old Problems Conclusion Bibliography Index