The role of SDS in the events of the 1960s in Germany

The 1960s were marked by a large number of demonstrations in the Western world, mostly attended by students. The increased civic activity of the young generation first appeared in the US when students protested against the war in Vietnam. In the Federal Republic of Germany, the events in Vietnam also belonged to important topics, but at the same time long-term problems of the society escalated too. There have been changes at both political and cultural levels. In the second half of the 1960s, a series of stormy demonstrations took place in Germany over this constellation. This thesis focuses on the "Socialist German Student Union" (SDS), which became the imaginary engine of the student protest movement of the 1960s. At the beginning, the work presents a global context, then the main topics and milestones of the development in Germany in the political, social and cultural spheres. Secondly, the development of the SDS is outlined, with an emphasis on the main themes of the association. Then, the course of the demonstrations in the 1960s, SDS activity and the subsequent development after 1969 is analyzed. Finally the work offers an evaluation of SDS success in advancing its long-term goals in the 1960s