East Germany

East Germany, officially the German Democratic Republic (GDR), was a country in Central Europe from its formation on 7 October 1949 until its reunification with West Germany on 3 October 1990. It was created after World War II when Soviet forces controlled part of Germany. The government followed communist ideas.

The GDR bordered the Baltic Sea, Poland, and Czechoslovakia, and was close to West Berlin. The government managed the economy, but many people wanted to move to West Germany. In 1961, the government built the Berlin Wall to stop people from leaving.

In 1989, peaceful protests helped bring changes. The Berlin Wall fell, leading to free elections and talks about reuniting Germany. By 1990, East Germany joined West Germany, ending the GDR's time as a separate country.

Etymology

The official name of East Germany was Deutsche Demokratische Republik ('German Democratic Republic'), often called DDR (GDR). People in East Germany used both names, but DDR became more common after 1968.

In the West, people first used names like Ostzone ('Eastern Zone') or Sowjetische Besatzungszone ('Soviet Occupation Zone'). Later, even people in the West began to use DDR more often. Before World War II, Ostdeutschland ('East Germany') meant areas east of the Elbe river.

History

Main article: History of East Germany

Further information: History of Germany

East Germany, also called the German Democratic Republic (GDR), existed from 1949 until 1990. It was created in the part of Germany controlled by the Soviet Union after World War II. The GDR was a communist state, led by the Socialist Unity Party. It aimed to build a socialist society, changing industry, farming, and education.

The GDR began after World War II when the Allies split Germany into zones. The Soviet Union controlled the eastern zone, where East Germany was formed. Over time, East Germany developed its own identity, different from West Germany. This included preserving some cultural traditions.

Origins

At the Yalta Conference during World War II, the Allies agreed to split defeated Nazi Germany into zones controlled by the United States, Britain, France, and the Soviet Union. This division led to the creation of East Germany in the Soviet zone.

1949 establishment

The Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED) was formed in 1946 by merging the Communist Party and the Social Democratic Party in the Soviet zone. This party became the main political force in East Germany. The German Democratic Republic was officially created on October 7, 1949, with Wilhelm Pieck as its first president and Walter Ulbricht as the leader of the SED, holding most power.

Zones of occupation

After World War II, the Allies set up a joint military occupation of Germany through the Allied Control Council. However, the Soviet Union ran its zone separately, leading to the creation of a socialist government in East Germany. The division became official when the Soviets left the Allied Control Council in 1948.

Partition

The split between East and West Germany grew over time. East Germany claimed to be the true successor of the German state, while West Germany saw itself as the only legitimate government. The building of the Berlin Wall in 1961 was a major event that divided the two Germanies, both physically and symbolically.

GDR identity

East Germany worked to create its own national identity, different from its past. It focused on socialist values and the importance of workers. The government also highlighted resistance against Nazi Germany.

Die Wende (German reunification)

Main articles: Die Wende, Peaceful Revolution, and German reunification

In 1989, many people in East Germany were upset about unfair elections and travel restrictions. This led to large protests. The opening of the border between Austria and Hungary let many East Germans move to the West, increasing the push for change. The fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, marked the start of the end for East Germany. Free elections were held in March 1990, and Germany reunified on October 3, 1990.

Government and politics

Main article: Politics of East Germany

The political history of East Germany had four periods. From 1949 to 1961, it was called the "Construction of Socialism". From 1961 to 1970, after the Berlin Wall was built, things became more stable. From 1971 to 1985, known as the "Honecker Era", East Germany had closer ties with West Germany. From 1985 to 1990, East Germany declined and eventually ended.

East Germany called itself a socialist workers' and peasants' state. The main political party was the Sozialistische Einheitspartei Deutschlands (Socialist Unity Party of Germany; SED). The SED was formed when the Soviets made the Communist Party of Germany (KPD) and the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) join together. East Germany was run as one unified state.

Important groups in East German society included the German Gymnastics and Sports Association (Deutscher Turn- und Sportbund; DTSB), and the People's Solidarity (Volkssolidarität), a group for older people. Another group was the Society for German–Soviet Friendship.

The flag of East Germany had three horizontal stripes in black, red, and gold. In the middle was a coat of arms with a wreath of corn and a hammer and compass, showing the unity of workers, farmers, and educated people.

After joining the Thälmann Pioneers for children ages 6 to 14, East German young people usually joined the Free German Youth (Freie Deutsche Jugend; FDJ).

Administrative districts

Main articles: Administrative divisions of East Germany and List of leaders of administrative divisions of East Germany

Until 1952, East Germany included the capital, East Berlin (which was not fully part of East Germany), and five German states: Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (called Mecklenburg in 1947), Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt (called the Province of Saxony until 1946), Thuringia, and Saxony.

In 1952, East Germany changed its areas to 14 Bezirke (districts) and no longer used the five states. The new districts were: Rostock, Neubrandenburg, and Schwerin from Mecklenburg; Potsdam, Frankfurt (Oder), and Cottbus from Brandenburg; Magdeburg and Halle from Saxony-Anhalt; Leipzig, Dresden, and Karl-Marx-Stadt (Chemnitz until 1953 and again from 1990) from Saxony; and Erfurt, Gera, and Suhl from Thuringia.

East Berlin became the 15th district in 1961 but had special legal status until 1968, when people approved the new constitution.

Economy

Main article: Economy of East Germany

East Germany's economy started slowly after World War II because cities were bombed and many young people were lost. The country also had to give away some factories and resources. By the 1950s, East Germany joined a trade group called COMECON and built up its industry. It became one of the strongest economies in the Eastern Bloc, growing each year.

East Germany made many things people used around the world, like cameras, cars, and watches. Even with a strong economy, there were sometimes not enough everyday items like sugar and coffee. The government helped by keeping prices low for basic goods. Later, East Germany started making its own computers, though it didn't have as many as Western countries.

Demographics

East Germany had about 19 million people in 1948. By 1990, the number fell to around 16 million. This happened for two main reasons. Many people moved from East Germany to West Germany before the Berlin Wall was built in 1961. Also, East Germany had fewer babies than West Germany during most of its time.

Religion

Main articles: Christianity in East Germany, Persecution of Christians in the Eastern Bloc, and Irreligion in Germany

Religion was a tricky subject in East Germany. The government did not believe in religion and tried to convince people there was no God. But many people still went to church. At first, about 85% of people in East Germany were Protestants, and 10% were Catholics. By 1989, only 25% were Protestants and 5% were Catholics. Most people, around 70%, said they did not believe in any religion.

Education

Childcare system

East Germany had a system to help children while their parents worked. About 600,000 children were in these special homes. Some of these homes were not very nice for the children.

Culture

Main article: Culture of East Germany

East Germany's culture was shaped by its communist beliefs. The government controlled art and writing to match socialist ideas. Schools taught science and politics to help young people.

Music was popular. Bands like The Puhdys and Karat became famous. The government supported classical music and built many concert halls. Theatre and cinema also thrived. Sports were important too, with the country doing well in swimming and gymnastics.

Legacy

When East Germany joined with West Germany in 1990, many roads, trains, sewers, and buildings needed fixing. They had not been well taken care of. Over the next 30 years, Germany used a lot of money to improve these things and make East Germany better.

Many people in East Germany felt unhappy after the countries joined together. Some people from West Germany acted like they were better, which made East Germans feel left out. Some East Germans felt a special kind of longing for their old country, called "Ostalgie." Even though most people in East Germany now like living in a united country, some still feel like they don’t quite fit in.

The political views in East and West Germany are also different. Some people in the eastern states support parties like Die Linke and the Alternative for Germany (AfD), while western states tend to support more centrist parties. There are also fewer religious people in the eastern states compared to the west.