Turkish Guest Workers in Germany: Hidden Lives and Contested Borders, 1960s to 1980s
© 2018
Turkish Guest Workers in Germany tells the post-war story of Turkish "guest workers," whom West German employers recruited to fill their depleted ranks. Jennifer A. Miller’s unique approach starts in the country of departure rather than the country of arrival and is heavily informed by Turkish-language sources and perspectives.
Miller argues that the guest worker program, far from creating a parallel society, involved constant interaction between foreign nationals and Germans. These categories were as fluid as the Cold War borders they crossed. Miller’s extensive use of archival research in Germany, Turkey and the Netherlands examines the recruitment of workers, their travel, initial housing and work engagements, social lives, and involvement in labour and religious movements. She reveals how contrary to popular misconceptions, the West German government attempted to maintain a humane, foreign labour system and the workers themselves made crucial, often defiant, decisions. Turkish Guest Workers in Germany identifies the Turkish guest worker program as a postwar phenomenon that has much to tell us about the development of Muslim minorities in Europe and Turkey’s ever-evolving relationship with the European Union.
Product Details
- Series: German and European Studies
- World Rights
- Page Count: 228 pages
- Dimensions: 6.1in x 0.7in x 9.0in
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Reviews
"This book is a must read for scholars of twentieth century German history and an excellent addition for undergraduate classrooms examining modern or twentieth century European or world history."
Brittany Lehman
EuropeNow"This is an excellent study with fascinating insights for those interested in the politics of migration or German history. In emphasizing the individuality of the experience of migration, Jennifer Miller has provided a very helpful balance to so much analysis that neglects the idiosyncrasies of everyday life."
Alexander Clarkson, King’s College London
German History"Jennifer Miller’s Turkish Guest Workers is assiduously researched, passionately written and filled with enlightening material for scholars of migration, labor, Turkey, and postwar Germany."
Quinn Slobodian, Department of History, Wellesley College"Turkish Guest Workers in Germany is captivating! Jennifer Miller provides a totally unknown dimension to a much assumed story of Turkish migration to Germany."
Esra Özyürek, Associate Professor, European Institute, London School of Economics -
Author Information
Jennifer A. Miller is an associate professor in the Department of Historical Studies at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. -
Table of contents
List of Illustrations and Tables
AcknowledgmentsIntroduction
Part One
1. The Invitation
2. In Transit
3. Finding HomesPart Two
4. Contested Borders
5. Imperfect Solidarities
Conclusion: Contested HistoriesNotes
Bibliography
Index
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Prizes
The Waterloo Centre for German Studies Book Prize
- Short-listed in 2019 -
Subjects and Courses
