Constructing Peace in East Germany: Conscientious Objectors, 1964-1989

FAIN: FT-58896-11

David Doellinger
Western Oregon University (Monmouth, OR 97361-1329)

My research project examines the activities and organizational networks of conscientious objectors in the former East Germany and their relationship to both the Party-State and the Lutheran Church from 1964 to 1989. East German conscientious objectors articulated a vision of peace that did not conform to this communist state's view that peace needed to be grounded on military might. The NEH Summer Stipend will support two months of field research in Berlin, Germany. The majority of my research will be conducted at a Federal Archive in Berlin. I will also interview former conscientious objectors and church leaders. This study of the East German Party-State's willingness to compromise with pacifists presents historians and political scientists with a new perspective to the limits of state power by illustrating how social movements can be born in non-traditional settings (such as military units) in authoritarian systems. This research is necessary to complete a book project.