A central focus of the research and teaching at the Department of Contemporary History is the study of dictatorships, violence and genocide. The aim is to explore the historical and political peculiarities of the 20th century, which was marked by genocide and other mass crimes. In this context, the political and social consequences of state-organised crimes are also of particular interest. In terms of methodology, the comparative approach, which has long been neglected in contemporary history, is strengthened. This makes it possible to gain insights not only into the emergence and enforcement of violent regimes, but also into the continued social impact of the experience of war and mass murder beyond the end of the regimes.
The era of fascism, National Socialism and the Holocaust will be examined from the perspectives of political, legal, economic, social, cultural and gender history, as will the periods before and after. Biopolitics, its links to the history of knowledge and science, and its instrumentalisation in the context of racial policy will also play a role. Questions related to exile and emigration research will also be included.
The second half of the 20th century was also characterised by violence. During the Cold War, decolonisation led to a comprehensive restructuring of international political relations. This was a rapid process accompanied by violence that brought about the end of colonialism.
Dictatorships and regimes of violence can be related to one another from a variety of perspectives. For example, it is important to ask about transfer relationships, transnational contexts and aspects of relational history. It is also important to examine post-dictatorial processes of change and their (legal) political, social and cultural consequences, and to consider the efforts that many countries have made to come to terms with the consequences of terror and human rights violations in the course of the transition from dictatorship and tyranny to democratic societies.
updated on 1 June 2011
