679. Germany: The Song Hitler Stole (Part 3)
Summary
This episode explores the complex history of the German national anthem, Das Lied der Deutschen. Hosts Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland trace its origins from Haydn’s Austrian imperial hymn to its adoption by liberals, the Weimar Republic, and the Nazis, who controversially emphasized the first verse. The discussion covers the banned Nazi anthem, the lack of an official song in early West Germany, and ongoing debates about the anthem’s meaning and legacy.
Topics discussed
Sponsors and introduction
The controversy of the German national anthem
Haydn's 'God Save the Emperor' and its origins
Hoffmann's 'Das Lied der Deutschen' and early reception
Austria's relationship with the anthem
The anthem in WWI and the Weimar Republic
Nazi appropriation and the Horst Wessel Song
Post-war anthems in West and East Germany
Reunification and the adoption of the third verse
Modern usage, World Cup controversies, and sponsors
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