1.3b Did a combination of repression and support keep the SED in control? Flashcards
Define repression
The act of subduing someone by force to suppress a thought or feeling
Define niche society
A term used to show the slow pace of life in the GDR which allowed more time to complain about things
What reward did border guards receive if they killed someone trying to escape?
Extra pay or a road named after them
How many successful escapes were there over the Berlin wall?
5000
How many people were killed trying to cross the Berlin wall?
200
What was the NVA (National People’s Army)?
A force used to stop protest
How many members of the NVA were there?
123,000
How many people refused to join the NVA through conscription?
15,000
Why were the NVA ineffective? (2)
1) Aren’t really used to stop protests
2) Could be directed to march into Czechoslovakia but didn’t because of war memories
How many members of the Border Troops were there?
50,000
How many of the Border Troops actually policed the border?
30,000
What could happen to a Border Troop if someone escaped on their watch?
Could be punished
What were the KVP?
Preliminary Police
What were the KVP responsible for?
Internal security
What did the KVP fail to stop effectively?
The June Uprising
What did the auxiliary police do?
Voluntary group called out to disorder
How many members of the auxiliary police were there?
400,000
How did some Stasi members actually act against the cause?
They helped out counter-GDR groups, trying not to blow their cover
What was the aim of the Stasi?
To protect against sabotage
How many IMs were there?
175,000