2.2 how successful was Honecker in developing a distinct identity for the GDR. Flashcards
what was Ulbricht’s popularity like by the early 1970’s
give one reason for this
- not so popoular
- because of his stubborness in continuing to follow policies that were increasinly at at odds with soviet policy
what happened in may 1971
what had Honecker been responsible for
- implementing the decision to build the Berlin wall in 1961
why did Honecker feel the need to create a sense of national identity.
by early 70’s he had lost favour of the soviet union and his own collegues in the Politburo.
what was the main national newspaper
neues deutschland
- it had a large circulation
what were all newspapers given
instructions by the government on what to write
what was it illegal to do?
what happened to visitors newspaper
they were taken away from then when they entered the GDR
- the only Western newspapers allowed to enter the country or to be put on sale there were those published by Western communist parties
what were the underlying messages
- all had the same underlying messages
- SED leaders were adulated
- widespread social problems in the GDR like homelessness and unemployement and drug addiction
- anniversarries
- establishment of the GDR and formation of SED
- all these were promoted
by the 1970’s, several radio stations were broadcastng in the GDR
name 3 stations with dates
- Radio DDR 1 (August 1953)
- Radio DDR 2 (1958)
- Berliner Rundfunk for the capital
- DT 64 - a youth music station
what percentage of publications were directly controlled by the SED
- 70%
what were the rest like
produced by and tone
how many radio stations were in the country/radios per 100 people and by what date
- by 1985 there were 6.6 million licensed radio stations in the country
- 40 for ever 100 people
what did the radio stations broadcast
- a mix of music, spoken word, sports reporting being partcularly popular
why was radio a concern for the GDR
- western radio stations were broadcast across the GDR and more popular that the GDR ones.
what did the government try to do about the concerns of the radio
- attempted to jam foreign signals but FRG threatened to do the same
