some research-y type questions

[mickeym]

So, I'm doing this spn_j2_bigbang thing. *g* And because I'm an idiot an overachiever obviously touched in the head, I've decided to do a WWII a/u. So I have some questions, for whomever may know the answers, or have suggestions as to where I could find the information.

1) Nazi war criminal trials. When did they begin, how many years did they continue, was information about trials held (for example) in the US broadcast via television to other countries, such as Germany.

2) Is/was blacksmithing still a useful/viable profession in rural European villages/towns, in the 50's and early 60's?

3) Were major US-related events (like the arrest/trial of the Rosenbergs) aired in Europe, particularly post-war Germany?

4) I know (roughly) what post-war America was like, in terms of income, education, etc. But what was post-war Europe (again, Germany in particular) like? What was the situation with things such as television(s), broadcasting, information availability?

I'm sure I'll have other questions *g* But those are good for a start, and ANY information about any of those will be very, very happily and gratefully accepted.

Comments

[stellamira]

I probably should remember at least some of that from school, *cough*. Also, I'm too young to know anything other than what I've been told. I do know however, that television was very rare after the war, and according to a wikipedia article, in 1952, the "official" start of television in Germany, there were all of 300 tvs in West Germany (100,000 in 1955, and a million in 1957).

Anyway, I found an online museum that seems to be pretty extensive about what post-war Germany was like, both both politically and culturally, and it's got reports of personal experiences, too. Unfortunately, it's all in German, but if you want to know something specific, I could translate a few things. Topics are:
The end as a beginning
Allied occupation
Political restart
Reconstruction and economy
Burden of the past
Hunger for culture
Formation of two German states

[mickeym.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'll let you know if I need translation assistance :) You rock :)