1.3a Did the GDR create a successful welfare system? Flashcards
What was the GDR’s accolade over the FRG in terms of healthcare
Had a higher increase in life expectancy
In what year were Polyclinics introduced to the GDR?
1971
What did Polyclinics allow?
People to choose their own doctor
When was 9th party congress and what was its focus around healthcare?
1976
Focused on improving welfare pensions
What 3 concessions were granted at 9th party congress?
1) Increased minimum wage
2) Gave pensions
3) Gave Gave working mothers holiday
1985: Birth rate per 1000
GDR - ___
FRG - ___
1985: Birth rate per 1000
GDR - 23.3
FRG - 9.6
In what year did the FRG and GDR have the same number of hospital beds?
1977
Doctors per 100,000 people in the GDR:
1970s - ___
1980s - ___
Doctors per 100,000 people in the GDR:
1970s - 160
1980s - 262
Why was there such a strain on GDR healthcare? (2)
Ageing population
Hugely underfunded
What 2 essential things did many hospitals lack?
Plastic gloves and syringes
How was the promotion of healthcare hindered by the social attitudes of East Germans?
They were heavy eaters and drinkers
What were Granschules?
Schools that replaced schools specifically for the academically minded
Why were Granschules introduced?
To give equal opportunities across all backgrounds
What types of schools were abolished?
Church schools and Private schools
Why was there such a shortage of teachers?
Nearly 80% of teachers were dismissed because of association with Nazism
How did WW2 effect schools?
Some schools were still operating in damaged buildings up until the 1950s
Due to demand, for how long did a teacher have to train?
2 weeks
What was the 1965 ‘Law on the Unified Socialist Education System’?
A policy that drove education with the philosophy of the state
What subject were students forced to learn because of the ‘Law on the Unified Socialist Education System’?
Citizenship
Under the ‘Law on the Unified Socialist Education System’, what were pupils discouraged to study?
French and English
How was the ‘Law on the Unified Socialist Education System’ positive?
Created links with industry that gave work experience
Why was discrimination reduced from the ‘Law on the Unified Socialist Education System’?
To stop people from middle-class backgrounds migrating away
What happened to education during the 1970s?
There was a need to reduce university places as the workforce became overqualified
What was the Jugendweihe?
A coming of age ceremony that marked dedication to the state?
How could refusing to participate in the Jugendweihe hinder you?
University applicants struggled if they’d not done it
Why was there no housing shortage in the 1950s?
Enough people were emigrating
What percentage of housing was destroyed by 1945?
14%
What proportion of housing contained only 1 or 2 rooms in the 1950s?
1/2
1950s housing:
__% had toilet
__% had a bath
__% had heating
1950s housing:
30% had toilet
22% had a bath
3% had heating
What development was made in 1960s housing?
The labour-force needed to be moved closer to the factories
What was the focus of 1960s housing?
Quantity over quality
What new housing complex was built in the 1960s?
Halle-Newstadt to move workers closer to a new chemical plant
How many building were refurbished between 1971-75?
290,000
By the mid-1970s, what proportion of housing had heating?
20%
How many houses were built between 1971-75?
400,000
What type of housing was introduced in the 1980s?
Plattenbau
What was the problem with Plattenbau housing? (2)
It was cheap and unattractive
Had high crime rates
What percentage of young skilled workers were in accommodation in Leipzig?
60%
What percentage of young skilled workers were in accommodation in the rest of the GDR?
15%
By the end of the 1980s, how much money had been spent on housing?
200 billion Marks
When was the ‘Family Code’ introduced and what was its purpose?
1966
Gave equality in childcare and domestic work
What was done in 1971 in the 8th SED congress?
Policies to improve working and living conditions
In what year was abortion legalised and free contraception provided?
1972
What was the GDR’s accolade about women in the 1980s?
They had the highest proportion of women in work in the world
What incentives were given to raise the birth rate?
8 week extension on maternity leave
1000 Marks per child
40 hour work week
Who was the only woman in politics in the GDR?
Margot Honnecker
