Kennedy in Berlin (Publications of the German Historical Institute)

Andreas W. Daum tells the story of a transatlantic relationship that culminated in one of the most spectacular political events of the twentieth century. He describes the visit of U.S. President John F. Kennedy to Berlin in 1963, which drew hundreds of thousands of spectators and led to an outburst of emotions. Daum uses this event as a window that allows new insights into the era of the Cold War, the nature of transatlantic relations, and the interplay of diplomacy and culture in the twentieth century. He also solves the many puzzles and myths surrounding Kennedy's famous line "Ich bin ein Berliner." This book focuses on the character of politics as a performance that needs to convince its audience. It demonstrates that diplomatic considerations and strategic rationale, on one hand, and symbolic politics, emotional approval, and historical experiences, on the other, are closely intertwined in the modern era.