♪ >> each week, america and history's tvs railamerica brings you archival films that provide context for today's issues. from 1959, "germany today" a half-hour film detailing germany's dutch west germany's recovery following world war ii.

it features the role of the u.s. army rebuilding the country and contrasts the story of a thriving democratic and capitalist west germany with the communist east germany. the program also covers the berlin airlift, and ends with president eisenhower's visit. "the big picture" was produced by the u.s. army between 1950 and 1971. narrator: this is the face of germany, 1945. it is a faith scarred by war, aged by suffering, ravaged by dissolution and defeat.

this is the face of west germany today. destroyed by hope, revitalized through dedication. recarved in the image of freedom. >> the united states army presents "the big picture," an official report to you from the armed forces. ♪

narrator: this is the story of a people does let in defeat who found a way back with the help of the military forces that defeated them. this is the story of the role played by the united states army in the rebirth of west germany. ♪ narrator: the american soldier had come into the land with fire, to burn off the madness that had engulfed europe and threatened the world. now, he remains on the land, to ensure that its defeat is permanent, and to help where he can. the task is not easy for the soldier. the aftermath of war never is. great conflicts leave great scars throughout a land.

the war is over. millions of people are scrambling for mere existence. whatever their past, they live. they must be cared for if germany is not to become chaos, for history, like nature, abhors a vacuum. while u.s. soldiers help bind up the wounds of the germination, the shape of things to come is foretold in berlin. the soviet union, our ally, has taken the german capital. most of their own homeland has been desolated desk decimated by the nazis. the soviets are determined to reduce the germans to impotence. factories are dismantled and equipment cartons to the east. the division of germany is agreed-upon.

the u.k., america, and france are two occupied the western portion. the soviet union, the eastern portion. the soviet zone encircles berlin, which itself becomes a divided city, creating far-reaching problems for the occupying troops. little more than a decade before, the german capital danced gaily to the waltz in three-quarter time. now the strings are silent. germany waits. in the beginning, we hoped for collaboration. history is an enigma. between the collaboration of yesterday and the conference of today is an abyss.

disagreement between the soviets over occupation policies mount. soon, the only area of cooperation remaining in berlin is the spandau prison, where troops of the occupying nations keep watch over nazi war criminals. in june, 1948 -- blockade. the rehabilitation of west germany is interrupted. the threat of starvation for 2 million citizens of west berlin. a blockade imposed by the communists to force withdrawal

of the western allied forces. but the west does not withdraw. instead, the berlin airlift launched by a combined allied task force. the united states army now marshals all its resources, assembling a lifeline of supplies to berlin's free peoples, for delivery by the united states air force. by now, we know what to expect. by now, our course is clear -- commitments to the free people in europe to prevent a communist take over. in the spring of 19 49, the blockade is lifted. the soviets fail in their purpose, but we remain firm in

hours. firm and all our support for west germany's economy. spurred on by american aid and the ready help of her armed forces on the scene, a new energy takes all of the nation. u.s. policies bear fruit. in may 1949, a vote of confidence and trust in the west, as west germans establish the german federated republic. the new government takes a bigger stand against communists, and west berlin becomes representative of all west germany. soviet policies in east germany

also bear fruit. communist armed forces are used as an instrument of oppression. by 1953, riots protesting accelerated production quotas spread rapidly throughout communist controlled germany. in desperation, freedom loving people of east germany look westward, where like a beacon, the rest that the west flashes its message of hope. disillusioned, sick with disappointment, they come to west berlin by the thousands, refugees seeking a dignity they could not find under the red flag, an immigration that is to swell with the passing years.

now, from the turbulence that is postwar germany, a significant factor emerges. the united states army, by its presence, is a strong deterrent force. it has become a major factor in our government's support of west germany. without order or decree, the american soldier has assumed an important role in restoring peoples pride and sense of world being. he may not always understand them, but he has a job to do here, and more often than not, he finds himself warming to the task. the job of reconstruction is vast. the u.s. army pitches in with heart and with muscle, making its equipment and men

unavailable for a variety of. army manpower gives disaster aid. the corps of medics standby to provide medical aid for civilian emergencies. when floodlights out a road the leading to an orphanage in southern germany, u.s. army engineers rebuild the road. american soldiers give blood in german hospitals.

fees from the blood donations are offered for a new building to house homeless children. ♪ narrator: cooperation of our soldiers and local activities encouraged by both the u.s. army and the german people creates an atmosphere of goodwill and friendship, and which ideas can be exchanged and problems of mutual interest explored. youth activities are included in the army's program of participation in the national life of west germany. ♪

narrator: it is more than a decade since hitler. its future is unpredictable. the sculptors do their job well. timeliness is a contagion. american soldiers are invited to rural homes. ♪ the american soldier enjoys good

relations with the german people, and is regarded as a welcome guest. u.s. servicemen are included in local cultural activities. ♪ this is the sound of understanding. this is the way of different peoples, whose similarities are greater than their differences. we were here by right of conquest, but we did not take the license of conquerors. we are now here in accordance with our mutual goal -- nato defense.

we are an army helping a nation regain her dignity, her place in the free world. a new democracy joins the family of free nations. there is no magic formula for the rehabilitation of a country. there is only the realism of sincere effort, a helping hand, and people determined to find their way back. by 1957, the stability of the federated german republic allows the nation full membership in the nato alliance. the problems of divided countries still casts a shadow over germany, and especially over berlin.

110 miles behind the iron curtain, the brandenburg gate, which separates the east from the west, is a sign of the nation's separation. these borders on streets are no ordinary streets. they are harbingers of mistrust and suspicion, where any moment may explode into world headlines. here, where the people live on the edge of the crater of east-west tensions, there is perhaps greater concern over the communist danger than in other parts of free germany. a berlin taxi driver expresses the feeling of his countrymen to a member of the american forces radio network. >> i see that you are wearing a pin that represents the brandenburg gate.

does that have special meaning for you? >> it is just a landmark to tourists. to berliners, it has a special meaning. it is a representative of our country's division. we berliners hope that someday, the brandenburg gate will be a symbol of a united germany. >> do all berliners feel the same way? >> we have a saying about this gate -- please open this gate. narrator: but the gates remain closed. there is no choice here but to stand guard and be prepared. u.s. troops in the american sector of berlin maintain their

vigil to ensure the continued prosperity of the people. patrol activities are a vital part of the army's mission in the sensitive berlin area. throughout west germany, as well as in berlin, american military patrols cooperate with west german authorities in safeguarding the nation. to bolster western defenses, the u.s. army helps train and build up the army of west germany, now a part of the nato military arm.

♪ narrator: the united states seventh army in europe is aware of its role in the destiny of germany. ♪ its weapons are the latest and

the best to fill the needs of a modern army with men superbly trained in the science of modern warfare. ♪ narrator: their job, along with the armies of our western allies -- hold back the tide of communism in western germany and in free europe. the success of their mission is apparent in the thriving west german republic. a vivid example of growth that could only have been

accomplished under the protection of sympathetic military forces, and under the democratic methods of free enterprise. ♪ narrator: with american aid, west germany has built one of the soundest economies in europe, and has far outdistanced the economy of east germany. production is at its peak. westermann products find their way to world markets as an international dust as international trade increases. throughout the republic, today's germany begins to appear, as the people prosper, as the land of renewed with their energy yields the fruits of their labor.

having achieved a remarkably high standard of living, the people feel free to engage in their traditional pursuit and pleasures. ♪ narrator: throughout west germany, the cities have risen phoenix like from the ashes of world war ii.

once targets for allied bombers, today, their new structures bear witness to a prodigious enterprise, and to our own investment in their future integrity. ♪ narrator: u.s. army and allied personnel by freely on the economy, contribute greatly to west germany's current wave of prosperity.

a new spirit flashes in the streets, as the key cities of western germany regain their places as famous world centers. ♪ narrator: endorsements for what west germany has accomplished cons from the president of the united states during his visit during september 1959.

president eisenhower praises the nation. pres. eisenhower: the application of that determination, the american people stand by your side, and they send through me to you, the german people, their very best wishes for your successful efforts. ♪ narrator: the cycle has come full turn right the supreme commander of the allied forces which helped defeat germany is hails now by free germans as friend and protector. ♪

narrator: the freedom bell, a replica of our own liberty bell, was presented by the united states to the people of west berlin in honor of their courage. to the west germans, the bell, like the brandenburg gate, has become a symbol. >> as a citizen of west berlin, what does the freedom bell mean to you? >> it is a symbol of our freedom, just like your liberty bell in philadelphia. it means that we have the right to shop in the shops we want to, we can worship in the church of our choice, we can elect the people we want to represent us in government, and just gives us a feeling of being free.

>> do all berliners share your opinion and views? >> yes, i think all berliners share my opinion, and we are all united and determined to retain this freedom, no matter what the price. we have been suppressed before, and we know what it means to live under suppression. berlin remains free. narrator: berlin remains free. germany remains free. this is the hope of the german nation. ♪ narrator: it is a hope backed up by the united states and the nato countries.

no other force in military history has done so much to put a conquered nation back on its feet as the united states army. because the united states army has been a bulwark, west germany remains democratic. a frontline for our own nation possible security. -- nation's security. ♪ narrator: we do not know what future dangers may arise in germany, but the united states army is on guard, and will be ready.

♪ narrator: the ringing of west germany's freedom bell echoes in all free lands. it calls for eternal vigilance, it calls to eternal readiness to protect freedom. ♪ >> "the big picture" is an official report for the armed forces and the american people. produced by the army pictorial

center. presented by the department of the army in cooperation with the state. interested in american history tv auto visit our website. see our upcoming schedule or wash our recent programs. at.org/history. next, former u.s. senator bob dole and nasty casaubon. kassebaum.y conversation is hosted by the bob dole institute of politics at the university of kansas and is moderaby