1.3d How far did Western influences have an impact on life in the GDR in 1961-85? Flashcards
What restrictions were put on East to West travel?
Permits and passports
Which 2 groups of people were able to meet between the FRG and GDR, still with harsh restrictions?
Diplomats and athletes
What were ‘Secret Carriers’?
Citizens with access to state information
How were ‘Secret Carriers’ restricted?
Completely banned from travel including Scientists, SED officials and army officers
What were the requirements for travelling from the GDR to the FRG and why was this?
Needed:
Over 26
Married
To give them incentive to return
What was the German name for being granted travel?
Reisekader - Travel Cadre status
Who were the people that were typically granted Reisekader?
Businessmen or skilled workers
What were people expected to fill out upon their return to the GDR from the FRG?
Reisebericht (Travel report)
What details had to be given in the Reisebericht (Travel report)?
Every detail of their trip
Reports of any military personnel seen
What kind of things were allowed back in the GDR from the FRG?
Currency and goods such as kiwi, pineapple and banana
How did the allowing the right to travel benefit the GDR?
- Gave people something to strive for
- Consumer products helped keep the GDR content
How did the allowing the right to travel hinder the GDR?
- Constant reminder that Germany was divided
- Ostpolitik was successful in its long term goal of reminding the East that there was a divided Germany
How did the SED reduce travel?
Brought in a higher currency exchange qualififcation
Why was West to East travel restrictions tightened?
A rise in political tension from NATOs announcement of having nuclear missiles
When did NATOs announce having nuclear missiles?
1983
What made access to Western music easier in the 1970s?
Mass production of TVs
How did East Germans bypass the law forbidding watching Western TV?
Just did it anyway
When was watching Western TV stations made legal again?
1972
Give an example of a Western pop group that was particularly popular?
‘Beat-Club’
How were the FDJ used to stop people listening to Western broadcasts?
‘Lightning against NATO transmitters’
Reported those who ariel pointed to the West
How could people avoid detection of watching Western TV?
Use indoor ariels
Why were Western films often showed several years after their release?
Because the GDR had a limited budget to show Western films
In 1980, what percentage of cinema audiences were youths?
70%
Name 3 foreign films popular in the East?
‘ET’
‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’
‘Fame’
What popular film was banned in the GDR because it glorified Western spies?
James Bond
What was ironic about James Bond being banned in the GDR?
Honnecker watched them on videos brought in for him by the Stasi
Through which medium was Western influence most influential?
Popular music
Which 2 Western radios were broadcast across the GDR?
Radio Luxembourg
NATOs own station RIAS (American station broadcasting from West Berlin)
In the 1960s, what British music groups were played in the GDR?
Beatles
Rolling Stones
What was the restriction percentage of Western music?
The amount of Western music that could be played was restricted to 40%
Give 2 evaluation points of the GDR restricting music well?
- Cassette tapes made it difficult to restrict
- Difficult to enforce underground groups
How did the government attempt to restrict youth use of illegal music?
Encouraged them to make pledges not to listen to music from the West
Give an example of a Western youth magazine that became popular?
‘Bravo’
Give an example of a Western fashion trend that came from the FRG?
‘the mushroom head’
How did the GDR music compare to that of Western music?
More exciting and dangerous
Why was Dresden not effected much by radio?
They were too far from the FRG and couldn’t pick up radio frequencies
How was Dresden known?
‘The valley of the clueless’
How was Western music used to rebel?
Showed their unwillingness to conform
Name the notorious gang in Dresden?
The Capital Gang
How did the authorities deal with beat boys and punks?
Put them in prison and shaved their heads
