This article argues that Vygotsky's choice of word meaning as the basic unit of analysis for cultural psychology connects him to a German psycholinguistic tradition--exemplified in the work of G. W. F. Hegel and J. G. Herder--distinct from the Marxist tradition. While later commentators criticize Vygotsky's reliance on word meaning, arguing that…

Discusses Joe Hembus's "Western-Lexikon," a German encyclopedia of the western, and one particular entry: "Der Schatz im Silbersee," or "Treasure of Silver Lake," a uniquely German western adapted from a story by Karl May. Explores the impact that this film had on the European--and eventually, American--filmmaking…

To meet the Nazi Party's need for speakers, Fritz Reinhardt began a correspondence course in public speaking in 1928 which trained about 6,000 speakers by 1933. This essay examines the techniques Reinhardt used and the contributions his instructions made to the development of the Nazi meetings and Hitler's takeover. (PD)

For the generation of Americans who witnessed and perhaps even fought against the Hitler regime, the consequences of his political manipulation had a significant and tangible impact on their lives. For younger generations it is necessary to work to understand how Hitler constructed his appeals to the German people. While a great deal of his…

Julius Streicher, the German publisher sentenced to death in the Nuremberg trials for rhetorical crimes against humanity, published the widely-read and virulently anti-semitic weekly tabloid "Der Stuermer" from 1923 to 1945. Through Streicher's rhetoric and through the publication's cartoons, Jews were depicted as bacilli, vampires,…

Compares the teaching of literature in East and West Germany. Discusses both the nature and titles of the material taught and problems of teaching literature espousing individual thought and criticism in a communist system. Describes common ground in the literature curriculum of both that may serve as a basis for curriculum of unified Germany. (DK)