Better Active than Radioactive! Anti-Nuclear Protest in 1970s France and West Germany

Anti-nuclear protests in 1970s France and West Germany formed a transnational movement challenging the legitimacy of nuclear power, mirroring the globalized nature of nuclear technology. This study reveals that while geographical proximity intensified protest activities—particularly along the Upper Middle Rhine Valley—a shared network of resistance emerged despite varying local expectations and tactics. The research distinguishes between concrete concerted actions and symbolic strategies, blurring the line between comparative and shared history. By centering on personal encounters and oral histories, it provides a nuanced account of how protesters navigated national, social, and cultural boundaries, offering new insights into the spatial dynamics of transnational activism.

Schüring, M. (2017). Better Active than Radioactive! Anti-Nuclear Protest in 1970s France and West Germany. German History, 35(2), 350–352. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerhis/ghx009