Reflections : American opinions of Germans in the American Occupation Zone, 1944-1949
Date
2002
Authors
Ferguson, Jason Cory
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Abstract
The period of the American occupation of Germany from 1944 to 1949 has been and remains an area of keen interest for historians. It has been studied from the perspective of the decision-makers of the American regime, as well as from the view point of the ordinary German. Until now, the opinions of the average American soldier have not been examined. Given the great degree of latitude accorded to individual Americans at all levels of the occupational administration, their opinions were influential and helped shape the tone and, in some instances, the policies of the occupation.
This thesis examines the opinions of the average Americans who were members of the American army of occupation in Germany at this time. Using discourse theory as a theoretical framework for this study, several key issues of the occupation will be analyzed through the lens of the average American's experience in Germany. Those issues discussed include democratization, denazification, fraternization and charity. The analysis that follows reveals that Americans cared more about their own interests and the issues that affected their daily lives than anything else. Furthermore, acting as a mirror into American society in post-war Germany, their opinions also expose the various divisions that existed between the ranks, genders, races, and age groups that composed the American military forces in Germany.