The Stunning Success of German Reunification

Thirty-one Octobers ago, Germany suddenly, irreversibly reunited after more than 40 years of separation following the Second World War. The ensuing three decades have been Germany's best years, so it is easy to forget how much apprehension and outright opposition surrounded the move to end the division between West and East Germany, the latter a repressive, single-party satellite state of the USSR. In this episode, acclaimed historian Sir Ian Kershaw looks back at the fascinating series of events that made reunification a reality, and he looks ahead to Germany post-Merkel. After 16 years as chancellor, Angela Merkel is stepping aside after dedicating her career to upholding the values that the EU represents.