Migration History - Leben in Deutschland Test

History of migration to Germany

Module: People and Society

Number of Questions: 4

All questions in this category:

1. Question 297: From which country have most migrants come to Germany?

   Answer Options:

   1. A) Italy
   2. B) Poland
   3. C) Morocco
   4. D) Türkiye ✓ (Correct Answer)

   Explanation:

   The correct answer is Turkey. Historically, and continuing to the present day, a significant portion of immigration to Germany has originated from Turkey, often linked to guest worker programs established in the mid-20th century and subsequent family reunification. This demographic reality is a key aspect of Germany's post-war social and economic development. Option A, Italy, represents a significant but generally smaller migratory group compared to Turkey. Option B, Poland, is also a major source of migration, particularly in more recent years, but Turkey has historically held the largest share. Option C, Morocco, contributes to the diversity of Germany's population but is not the country with the most migrants. Therefore, considering the historical context and ongoing demographic trends, Turkey stands out as the country from which the largest number of migrants have come to Germany.

   Study Tip:

   Turkey has historically sent the most migrants to Germany.

2. Question 298: Migrants in particular lived in the GDR ...

   Answer Options:

   1. A) Vietnam, Poland, Mozambique ✓ (Correct Answer)
   2. B) France, Romania, Somalia
   3. C) Chile, Hungary, Zimbabwe
   4. D) North Korea, Mexico, Egypt

   Explanation:

   The correct answer is A. Vietnam, Polen, Mosambik. During the GDR era, the socialist state had agreements for labor recruitment and political alliances with several countries, including Vietnam, Poland, and Mozambique, leading to significant migration from these nations. Option B is incorrect because while Romania had some connection to the Eastern Bloc, France and Somalia were not primary sources of migration to the GDR. Option C is incorrect as Chile, Hungary, and Zimbabwe, while having some citizens present, did not represent the main migratory groups in the GDR. Option D is incorrect because Mexico and Egypt had very limited migration to the GDR, and while North Korea had ties, it was not a principal source of migrants compared to the correct answer. The GDR's foreign policy and economic needs dictated its labor recruitment and political partnerships, influencing the demographics of its population.

   Study Tip:

   Remember the GDR's key partners: Vietnam (labor), Poland (neighbor/socialist bloc), Mozambique (post-colonial alliance).

3. Question 299: Foreign employees who were recruited by the Federal Republic of Germany in the 1950s and 60s were called ...

   Answer Options:

   1. A) Blackworkers/illegal workers
   2. B) Guest workers ✓ (Correct Answer)
   3. C) Temporary workers
   4. D) Shift workers

   Explanation:

   The correct answer is B, Gastarbeiterinnen/Gastarbeiter. This term refers to foreign workers who were recruited by the Federal Republic of Germany in the 1950s and 1960s, specifically to fill labor shortages. This policy was driven by economic needs and aimed at temporary employment, hence the term "guest worker." Option A, Schwarzarbeiterinnen/Schwarzarbeiter, is incorrect because it describes illegal employment, which was not the status of the workers recruited by the government. Option C, Zeitarbeiterinnen/Zeitarbeiter, refers to temporary agency workers, a different employment model. Option D, Schichtarbeiterinnen/Schichtarbeiter, describes workers who work in shifts, a work schedule rather than a category of recruited foreign labor. The term "Gastarbeiter" encapsulates the specific historical context of invited foreign laborers intended to contribute to the German economy during a period of reconstruction and growth.

   Study Tip:

   Remember 'Gastarbeiter' means 'guest worker,' highlighting their temporary, invited status in post-war Germany.

4. Question 300: Which country did the first guest workers come from to the Federal Republic of Germany?

   Answer Options:

   1. A) Italy ✓ (Correct Answer)
   2. B) Spain
   3. C) Portugal
   4. D) Türkiye

   Explanation:

   The correct answer is Italy. The Federal Republic of Germany's post-war economic recovery was significantly aided by the "Gastarbeiterabkommen" (guest worker agreements), the first of which was signed with Italy in 1955, reflecting a mutual understanding for labor needs. Spain, Portugal, and Turkey were also important sources of guest workers, but they entered into agreements with West Germany at later dates. Therefore, while these countries contributed to the workforce, they were not the *first* to do so. The initial agreement with Italy marked the beginning of a policy that would bring millions of foreign workers to Germany, shaping its social and economic landscape for decades to come.

   Study Tip:

   The first Gastarbeiter agreement was signed with Italy in 1955.