The presence of American troops in the Rhineland after WWI had significant cultural, political, and economic effects on the area. Considerable regions of Germany remained under American control until 1923, and everyday interactions between the troops and the residents laid the groundwork for future friendship between former military enemies.
The opening event features a lecture by Dr. Kai-Michael Sprenger of the Institute for Historical Regional Studies at Mainz University on the occupation and is accompanied by the screening of a documentary film.