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Year 11 Trip to Berlin
During the Autumn half term, 27 students and four staff travelled to Berlin to take a deep dive into its history. This trip was to further inform students’ studies at GCSE which includes investigating the setting up of the Weimar Republic in the aftermath of Germany’s defeat in the First World War and the rise of the Nazis. The trip also further informed their studies on Superpower Relations and the Cold War as students gained invaluable insight to the Cold War and how it impacted Berlin within the grander scheme of dividing Europe up evermore into two ideological camps between the East and West.
During their four day stay, our young historians visited Bebleplatz, the sight of Nazi rallies which encouraged university students to burn the published works of Jews such as Albert Einstein and political opponents. Students visited the Museum of Topography of Terror, built on the site of the Gestapo’s head office, and in comparison the Jewish memorial where they were encouraged to interpret the structures for themselves applying their historical knowledge and understanding. Students also visited sections of the Berlin Wall to view its gallery of political artwork and visited the DDR Museum, which gave them an opportunity to interact with many of the artefacts and exhibits to gain further understanding on what life was like living on the East side of the Berlin Wall under Soviet rule.
A key highlight of our trip was our visit to the Reichstag, the German Parliament, where we had the chance to go and walk up onto the roof to marvel at its glass dome which is symbolic for Germany as it is to show German politics as transparent, fair and just. A stark comparison to the rise of Nazism which came in 1933. History aside, time for fun came with great food (‘…especially the burgers’ – thanks Will C), walking around the beautiful gardens and parks, gazing at the architecture such as the formidable Brandenburg Gate and joining in with the dancing bears under the blue sky!
