Divided Germany: The Federal Republic and the DDR 1949–1963

Question 1

what is the FRG

Answer 1

the federal republic of germnay

Question 1

overview of adenauer

Answer 1

A towering figure who dominated his party and led public opinion​

He has been criticised for being authoritarian and for the choices he made BUT he did preside over an era of STABILITY​

He was voted the greatest German of all time in 2003 (Adenauer, Martin Luther, Karl Marx)​

Became Chancellor in 1949 at the age of 73 and stayed in power until he was 87 ​

He was born just after the unification of Germany. Lived through WWI, the creation of Weimar, the rise of Hitler, and WWI. Maybe politics and manner shaped in WWI period  his rather authoritarian approach to politics.​

Question 2

what was adenauer’s reign as chancellor

Answer 2

1949-1963
[14yrs]

Question 3

situation facing adenuaer in 1949

Answer 3

Defeat, occupation, economic crisis, post-war problems - all much worse than 1918 defeat.​

Economic situation beginning to improve – Marshall Aid, currency reform 1948, Trizonia.​

The need for joint economic administration of the western allies zones required coordinated political leadership​

Political chaos since 1918. Uncertainty about the new political situation. The last experience of democracy was Weimar which had resulted in revolutionary unrest, inflation, political instability, economic depression and ultimately descent into dictatorship. Most Germans were not committed democrats. ​

Twelve years of Nazi propaganda and brutal practice had made a serious impact on Germans. ​

Germany’s international standing was of an outcast nation – feared and hated (especially by the French)​

In fact the Cold War helped West Germany as the threat became the Communists and West Germany was needed in the fight against them. This speeded up the rehabilitation of Germany, especially the Berlin Blockade

Question 4

4 probs of weimars constition

Answer 4

1. The President and Chancellor had emergency powers
2. The chancellor could be dismissed and replaced by the President
3. Proportional representation allowed extremist parties a foothold
4. Proportional representation resulted in weak coalition governments

Question 5

Adenauers foreign policy priorities

Answer 5

Adenauer faced a difficult choice as to what Germany’s post war priorities should be: German unification or European reintegration​

Adenauer chose European reintegration. He abandoned the East and faced the West, whereas the SPD would have chosen German unification​

He followed the policy of ‘small steps’, ‘no experiments’. Simple, straightforward policies to reassure Europe

Question 6

what was west germnay’s constitution

Answer 6

Drawn up by Germans but guided by the Allies ​

Constantly aware of the danger of dictatorship and the failings of the Weimar Republic ​

The aim was DECENTRALISATION & DEMOCRATISATION​

Designed to be temporary or “provisional”, pending a proper constitution for a united Germany once a peace treaty had been signed​

Constitution required the FRG to work towards reunification (Adenauer chose not to pursue this first)​

Constitution gave all people of German descent the right to German citizenship (many took up this offer and escaped to the West – over 3 million before 1961).

Question 7

political stability under Adenauer

Answer 7

Adenauer remained as chancellor from 1949 to 1963. Won four general elections​

Three main parties – not lots of small parties. Coalitions of only two parties, and once (1957) the CDU won outright, which made it the only single party majority government since the First World War​

Stability facilitated the development of an affluent society​

Better relations with the West helped to maintain political stability​

By 1959 there were signs of declining support for Adenauer due to some errors of judgement but even so Adenauer was more successful than any German politician since Bismarck

Question 8

election resukts in 1949 and 1961

CDU and SPD

Answer 8

1949- [CDU= 31%, SPD= 29.2]
1961- [CDU= 45.3%, SPD= 36.2%]

Question 9

summary of election results

1949, 1953, 1957, 1961, 1966

Answer 9

1949 – Winning parties 31% of vote. If the CDU and Adenauer had not formed a government here, the whole future of the FRG might have been different. Weeks of discussions about coalitions. Coalition included FDP and DP. ​

1953 – Winning parties 45% of vote. This was a reflection of Adenauer’s successes. CDU could have governed alone but chose to run a coalition government, even including Theodor Oberlander – a Nazi who implemented policies in E Europe. ​

**1957 – CDU 50.2% **of vote. Adenauer’s great economic success, FP successes and personal popularity and trustworthiness​

1961 – CDU 45.3% of vote. Fall in the vote due to Adenauer’s great age (85). Decline in abilities and popularity. A new era on the way. Only two major parties left and FDP clinging on​

In 1966 –** CDU and SPD grand coalition**. Chancellor CDU until 1969.

Question 10

popularity of CDU + vanishing of opposition

Answer 10

Electoral system - 5% hurdle brought in in 1953; Additional Member System - combination of FPTP and PR​

*Nature of the parties / vanishing opposition / shift to the middle ground * ​

• SRP & KPD outlawed – 1952 & 1956 ​
• 1957 number of constituencies that had to be won outright if the 5% condition was not met was raised from 1 to 3.  CSU became an extension of CDU. Other small parties eliminated.​
• Adenauer’s policy of inclusiveness  many right wing parties absorbed within CDU. Never became a Volkspartei, but did encourage a range of profiles among its supporters.​

Adenauer’s policies – economic miracle and foreign policy.

Question 11

difference of FRG compared to weimar political system

Answer 11

FRG political parties depended on permanent membership and organisational machinery with full-time officials.​

Trend towards professionalization of politics​

Three-party system emerged (75-90% of the electorate represented by 3 parties)​

Political culture centrist. Majority of the electorate were in the centre ground​

Erosion of traditional political pressure groups (working class, Catholics, nationalist Protestants)​

Secularisation

Question 12

challanges facing social stability

Answer 12

*Highly complex society: *

Ex-Nazis – not supporters of democracy​

Millions of refugees who had lost their homes in the east (now Poland) - many who were not supporters of democracy.​

A lack of a democratic tradition in Germany made Adenauer’s task more difficult.​

Many had lost property during the war.​

One-quarter was fatherless​

Large numbers of refugees from the Soviet zone of Germany – a source of cheap labour, but sometimes put others out of work -> resentment

Question 13

how did Adenauer manage germnays past

successfullness + what he did

Answer 13

Very successful​

Government compensated those who had suffered​

1951 Adenauer made a speech (Compensation to Jews), accepting responsibility by paying compensation, but not accepting guilt. Agreed to pay a large sum (£3.45 billion) to Israel in compensation. ​

Controversial – what about individuals / those not in Israel. But how could you possibly compensate anyone for the Holocaust?​

The government exonerated most Nazis from their crimes by acknowledging that crimes had been committed collectively and not by individuals​

Former Nazi civil servants regained their jobs (->40-80% of civil servants were ex-Nazis). Nazis continued to work in the judiciary and universities​

And former Nazis were not excluded from claiming pensions for service to the Nazi state​

New Gemeinschaft course in 1950 -> revised German History and required to teach democratic values

Some degree of questionable morality, but it did create an atmosphere where people did not fear retribution and helped to create social stability. Prudent silence rather than a provocative public recital of the truth​

Schumacher, however, was not happy about this and spoke movingly about the sufferings of the Jews.

Question 14

economic miracle stats

Answer 14

Economic miracle helped to create an affluent society​

Certainly was not an ‘equal’ society, but most people were better off not worse off -> stability and support for the government in elections​

Improvement in housing – 430,000 homes built by 1952 and 4 million by 1957​

1949-63 wages rose 400%​

Ready supply of consumer goods​

Travel was widely available for those with surplus income.

Question 15

how did adenauer improve social welfare

Answer 15

Pensions​

Insurance-based healthcare​

This nullified the Communist threat​

Emergence of a petty bourgeoisie – symbolised the prosperity of the new state with his cigar, car, new home in a rebuilt city.​

But meant that the old elites continued to dominate society and by 1960s there was growing resentment at their preponderance, especially from the younger generation born after the war

Question 16

overall social stability achievements

Answer 16

Social stability had been achieved but at the cost of not dealing with under-lying tensions​

By 1960s economic growth was starting to level off and new challenges emerged, especially from the young ​

Society became polarised - student movements were angry about their country’s Nazi past which was stoked by high profile trials like Eichmann’s

Question 17

who was Erhad and what was his policy

Answer 17

Economic adviser in Bizonia​

Minister of Economic Affairs in the FRG 1949-63​

Chancellor 1963-66​

Presided over the economic miracle - by his policies​

‘Prosperity for All’ 1957

Question 18

what was the economic miracle

Answer 18

A boom that lasted from 1952 until 1966​

Annual growth rate averaged 8% (1951-65) (12% in 1955)​

GDP almost doubled between 1950 and 1955. By 1960 had risen by nearly another 50%​

Balance of trade was positive as the amount of exports grew. By 1954 the FRG was the third largest trading power after the USA and Britain​

Employment rose. Unemployment was just 1 m (4.2%) in 1955. By the late 1950s there was full employment (despite large numbers of foreign workers and people arriving from the GDR)​

Growth in wages. Incomes rose c. 400% between 1949 and 1963.

Question 19

what were the aims of foreign policy

and which did adenuer prioritse

Answer 19

Relations with the West – integration with the West - highly successful​

Relations with the USSR – abandoning the East. And USSR was never reconciled to German rearmament. Adenauer was criticised for this, but it was the only way of achieving the first aim

RELATIONS WITH THE WEST!!!!!!!

Question 20

What can be considered Adenauers greatest achievement

Answer 20

reunifiation wit the west

Question 21

adenauer’s relationship with the west

Answer 21

1945 Germany was viewed as a threat to be contained​

Berlin Blockade had done a lot to change attitudes, but so too did Stalin’s actions in the East/Czechoslovakia​

1951 – the western powers declared that the state of war with Germany was at an end but there was no formal peace treaty because there was no all-Germany government​

Adenauer made West Germany indispensable to the West and joined every possible organisation.

He somehow got the West to trust Germany again, and to help rebuild the economy​

The greatest achievement of all was to get France to support this​

Could only do this by abandoning the East, making it clear that there was not going to be a large united and economically strong Germany, only an economically strong West Germany that was fully committed to democratic ideals and integration with western partners​

West Germany was reintegrated and became an equal and vital partner with other western powers

Question 22

Adenauer and the USSR

Answer 22

FRG’s improvement in relations with the West was a major concern to Stalin and the USSR.​

It marked the strengthening of USSR’s Cold War opponents​

1952 Stalin sent notes to the West suggesting he would give up control of East Germany in return for a united, neutral Germany. But remained insistent that once united, Germany could not join the West because of his security concerns. The Western Allies rejected the offer (a relief to Adenauer).​

East German risings of 1953. Adenauer chose to ignore this. Left fellow Germans to their fate.

He also refused to recognise the GDR as a separate state – called it ‘the Zone’ - and refused to have any diplomatic relations with any communist power except the USSR. (The Hallstein Doctrine – not abandoned until 1969). (In 1957 Tito recognised the GDR -> Bonn severed diplomatic relations with Belgrade.​

Adenauer did visit Moscow in 1955. He was able to secure the return of POWs still being held - > won much support at home.​

Building of the Berlin Wall 1961 – Adenauer made no response. Also controversial.

Question 23

evaluation of foreign policy

Answer 23

Some controversial aspects to his treatment of the East, BUT he had made a clear choice at the outset and this was what had won him such support with the West​

West Germany was treated as an equal by the West and was accepted among the community of nations​

This contributed greatly to economic stability and greatly to Adenauer’s electoral success.

Question 24

decline of Adenauer

election

Answer 24

1959 Presidential election ​

• Theodor Heuss stood down as required after 10 years​
• Adenauer announced his intention to run and then withdrew​
• A good attempt to prevent an SPD nominee from winning​
• His indecision damaged his reputation ​

​

Question 25

Adenauer and the berlin wall

Answer 25

Adenauer did nothing. He took no action to oppose it.​

In contrast with Willy Brandt (SPD mayor of West Berlin) who offered a strong response on behalf of freedom and democracy. (He was leader of the SPD 1964-87; Chancellor in 1969).​

Adenauer not only did not oppose it, but appeared to ignore it. Postponed a visit for two days while he carried out other routine engagements.​

This was deeply unpopular. When he finally did go to West Berlin he was greeted with jeers.​

When President Kennedy visited West Berlin in 1963, Brandt rather than Adenauer was placed at the centre of the visit.

Question 26

when was the berlin wall built

Answer 26

august 1961

Question 27

when was the der spiegel crisis

Answer 27

1962

Question 28

del spiegel crisis

adneuar downfall

Answer 28

Well-known German political magazine published an article that was critical of the readiness of the West German defence forces. The defence minister then misled the Bundestag in response to questions on the issue​

The government appeared to try to silence the magazine by raiding its offices and arresting some of the journalists​

A public outcry followed – not because of the defence policy, but because it looked as if the government was attacking the freedom of the press, as had happened in Nazi Germany​

Adenauer resigned the following year

Question 29

what did eichmann’s trial suggest about adenuaer

Answer 29

The discovery of Eichmann hidden in Argentina under a false name and with a beard – captured by the Israelis and put on trial in Jerusalem - seemed to suggest that Adenauer had been too quick to forget the Nazi past and look to the future. ​

Convicted and hanged 1962.

Question 30

overview evaluation of FRG under adenauer

Answer 30

An ignominious end​

Social tensions resurfacing​

Questions of collusion with Nazism from the younger generation​

Student protests in 1968, and a terrorist group the Baader-Meinhof Gang (Red Army Faction) in late 1960s and 1970s. The student protests were a rejection of traditionalism and German authority and its ties to old Nazism ​

A corresponding re-emergence of the NPD, a right-wing party​

However Germany had become a stable democracy​

There was sustained economic growth and rising standards of living​

Germany more fully integrated into Western Europe than after WWI

Question 31

what did the GDR do in 1952 regarding the berlin war

Answer 31

GDR established a system of passes for visits of West Berliners to the East. There were barbed wire fences on the East German border, but Berlin remained open.​

Question 32

what did the GDR do in 1956 regarding the berlin war

Answer 32

1956 restricted virtually all travel, but subway trains etc made it unenforceable.

Question 33

why was the berlin wall built

Answer 33

Marks the failure of the GDR.​

West Berlin – a plughole​

1945-61 - 3.5 million had fled to west (mostly young and well educated) -> the pending collapse of the GDR​

Khrushchev and Ulbricht – presented an ultimatum to western powers in 1958, demanding that West Berlin should be reintegrated with the east and become an integral part of the GDR within 6 months. ​

The Allies ignored the ultimatum.​

Question 34

evidence of people from the GDR wanting to live in the FRG

Answer 34

October 7, 1961. Four-year-old Michael Finder of East Germany is tossed by his father into a net held by residents across the border in West Berlin. The father, Willy Finder, then prepares to make the jump himself.

Question 35

timeline of people escaping to the west

before teh wall, and immediantly after

Answer 35

Summer 1961 – increased numbers of East Germans using the last remaining escape route to the West (collectivisation policy)​

Rapid action. Preparations were made in secret ​

Morning – Sun 13th Aug – Berliners awoke to find that overnight access to the two parts had been closed off.​

“Anti-Fascist Protection Rampart”​

Immediate escapes – Schumann / windows

Question 36

response to the building of the berlin wall

Answer 36

Adenauer’s response significant – did nothing​

Western powers chose to do nothing​

9 crossing points (needed permits). West Germans and other western visitors could in general get a permit, but had to exchange at least 25 DM into Ostmarks 1:1 (terrible exchange rate)

Question 37

attempst at escaping the east

Answer 37

Escape attempts (3 versions of the wall – 3.6m high)​

5000. 263 deaths? Many injured. Guards had orders to shoot​

9 days after the wall was built – the first victim​

Woman who jumped from window​

Man whose mother lived in the East​

Another young man (18) Peter Fechter was shot and left to bleed to death – on western cameras​

Digging tunnels – one was 147 metres – over 3 nights in 1964 57 people escaped before it was discovered​

Jumping over​

Driving vehicles into it / into the barriers (sports car – the driver and passengers ducked down)​

Hot air balloons (nylon – family made it over)​

Used the sewers

Question 38

signifnace of berlin wall on division

Answer 38

The “German Question” seemed to have ended ​

It left both sides continuing to develop in distinctive ways ​

East​

Labour supply stabilised​

Actually economic performance improved​

Younger generation knew nothing else – people came to terms with this life and a socialist society developed. When the wall came down in 1989 it was a shock that E & W Germans realised how far apart they had grown.

Question 39

when was the GDR formed

Answer 39

oct 1949

Question 40

who led the GDR

Answer 40

Ulbricht

Question 41

gov and politics in the GDR

Answer 41

The GDR was formed in October 1949 from the Soviet Zone​

Wrote a constitution – also ‘temporary’ – claiming that it was a provisional state awaiting reunification​

Completely different political system from the FRG​

‘Democratic centralism’

Question 42

How much economic change was there in the GDR 1949-63?

Answer 42

became communist
No private property​

All amenities and raw materials nationalised​

Collective living and attitudes

Question 43

industry in the GDR

Answer 43

Emphasis on heavy industry - fuel, power, iron, steel, chemicals and building​

The party set production levels, handled worker discipline and ran social activities -> increased its control over workers’ lives.​

Economic and ideological aims ​

1945 – many large industries had been nationalised or placed under state ownership = VEBs (People’s Own Factories)​

1949 – 76% under the control of the state​

So it was easier to implement change than it would be in agriculture

Question 44

when was teh two year plan

GDR

Answer 44

1949-50

Question 45

when was the 1st 5yr plan

Answer 45

1951-55

Question 46

when was the 2nd 5yr plan

GDR

Answer 46

1956-60 [abandoned in 1958]

Question 47

when was the seven year plan

GDR

Answer 47

1959-65 [abandoned in 1962]

Question 48

when was the new econimic system

GDR

Answer 48

1963-68

Question 49

A series of plans under teh GDR

Answer 49

Two Year Plan, 1949-50​

First Five Year Plan, 1951-55​

Second Five Year Plan, 1956-60 (abandoned in 1958)​

Seven Year Plan, 1959-65 (abandoned in 1962)​

New Economic System, 1963-68​

​

Target setting

Question 50

successfullness of economic planning ?

Answer 50

The SED proclaimed the First Five Year Plan (1951-1955) as a success – targets were exceeded and production doubled since 1950​

But ignores the facts that many factories were not constructed in suitable areas, and the goods were of poor quality. The aim was very much quantity before quality​

Trabants are a good example of a substandard product (see next slide)​

Planning was slow. Plans were out of date before they were implemented Unable to respond to short-term changes​

Production of consumer goods was very low​

So living standards improved very slowly ​

And huge differentials between the metalworker’s wage (less than 300 marks per month) and the manager (4000-15,000 per month + better canteens and housing). Many workers moved to the West.

Question 51

example of GDR’s policy of quantity over quality

Answer 51

Trabant
first introduced in 1957
The Trabant’s build quality was poor, reliability was terrible, and it was loud, slow and poorly designed

Question 52

when was the TV tower built and why

Answer 52

Built 1965-69 as a monument to Communist power towering over the West ​

But ordinary citizens were not allowed up lest they see the glittering lights and prosperous buildings of the West

Question 53

Impact of Second Five Year Plan 1956-1960

Answer 53

More emphasis on consumer goods and technological progress​

Economy grew by 12% in the late 1950s. ​

**Improved living standards **but rationing did not end until 1958​

Nowhere near on the scale of the Economic Miracle in the West​

Workers’ cultural centres and polytechnics were opened ​

Many essential goods such as bread had their prices set at low levels​

A stabilisation in numbers moving to the West​

Subsidising food prices meant that the state did not have money to invest in other sectors, e.g., transport or energy, or to modernise industry​

So the underlying problems of the economy were not addressed

Question 54

Impact of the Seven Year Plan 1959-1965

Answer 54

Aimed to align economic development with that of the Soviet Union. ​

Failed.​

Industrial growth now declined - > increase in numbers leaving for the West.​

Only stabilised by the building of the Wall.​

1962 – abandonment of the 7YP.

Question 55

significancve of the new economci system

Answer 55

This brought greater flexibility and offered workers some input, allowing them to share profits -> raised production levels and placed an emphasis on quality rather than quantity.

Question 56

eval of economic policy

GDR

Answer 56

GDR workers were better off than other Soviet-dominated Eastern bloc countries​

But the failure to develop consumer industries meant that many believed the situation in the West to be much better -> a drain of people to the West​

The growth rates of the economy were also better than other Eastern bloc countries. ​

By 1960s, East Germany was ranked tenth in the world for economic production.​

But on the Soviet model it could never develop a balanced economy with scope for growth.​

Poor planning and mismanagement further reduced the potential for economic growth which encourage the flight to the West

Question 57

growing unrest in the GDR

Answer 57

Caused largely by high expectations that life would be transformed, and disappointment that by 1953 it had not been, and there seemed to be less freedom.​

Stricter border controls​

Enforced collectivisation​

Pressure to increase productivity​

**1952 ‘Building of Socialism’ **announced - a policy that emphasised increasing productivity and rapid change ​

1953 – death of Stalin – the promise of greater freedoms - > unrest

Early June 1953 – Ulbricht was summoned to Moscow and told that his policies (border controls, pressure for increased productivity etc) were causing disquiet and he needed to change.​

But contradictory messages came out ​

The workers were told that their conditions would become worse as productivity would have to rise by 10% but wages would remain the same. This message had not been checked or explained properly to the people.

Question 58

when was teh uprising in 1953

GDR

Answer 58

17th june 1953

Question 59

the july uprising 1953 in the GDR

Answer 59

16th June 1953 – workers on a big prestige building project of Stalinallee went on strike.​

Called for a general strike the next day. Thousands joined in​
Demanded the end of Ulbricht’s economic policies, his removal and democratic elections.​

Ulbricht’s response: fearful of the loyalty of his own security forces, concerned for his own position -> Ulbricht called on Soviet forces to crush the rising.

Question 60

impact of the july uprising

GDR

Answer 60

55 people crushed to death according to official figures, but probably more​

The people did gain concessions:​

1. the policy on working hours was ended​

2. more consumer goods were to be produced -> improve living standards​

The state became increasingly concerned about unrest and adopted a harder line with a massive growth in the size and powers of the Stasi​

Position of Ulbricht was deliberately strengthened (must not look weak)​

It drew the GDR closer to the Soviet bloc​

The population of the GDR realised that they could expect no help from the west​

A sense of resignation to their fate

Question 61

agriculture in the GDR

Answer 61

This was not just an economic policy; it was an ideological policy​

1945-1949 large estates (over 100 hectares) were seized without compensation, divided up and given to landless Germans and refugees. This was about 1/3 of agricultural land - Why did the Soviets do this? ​

Ideological establishment of equality and the breaking of the landed classes

Question 62

agricultural probs faced by the GDR by 1950

+ impact of this

Answer 62

No modern machines​

Refugees had little agricultural experience​

Small holdings were too small to survive or make profit.​
So:​

1. Crop and livestock yields were low​
2. People moved into the towns/cities​
3. People escaped into the West

Question 63

Collectivisation in GDR

Answer 63

A fundamental principle of a communist planned economy​

Soviets always prioritised industry over agriculture​

By 1952 the SED became worried over food shortages​

**Creation of ‘Land Production Cooperatives’ **(LPGs) – agricultural collectives managed by the state on the model of those established by Stalin in the USSR in the 1930s. (which included increased mechanisation and tractor lending stations)​

Introduced on a voluntary basis so meant a slow start​

Part of the ‘Building of Socialism’ programme (which contributed to the 1953 Uprising)​

By 1953 13% of the land was not being farmed which in part explained The 1953 Uprising​

NB – Post-Stalinist period led to a slow down in the pace of collectivisation

Question 64

Further Waves of Collectivisation – 1959, 1960-1

Answer 64

By 1958 one-third of all farms were collectivised, i.e. most farming remained independent.​

Farmers who did not join collectives were denied the use of machinery, and party officials were sent to villages to persuade people. But many remained unconvinced - > arrests and land confiscations​

By 1962 – 85% of farms had been collectivised, often against the will of farmers ​

Another wave of refugees going west (peaked in 1961)​

Rationing had to be reintroduced in 1961​

In the long-term, farming became more efficient (1970s).

Question 65

impact of collectivisation

Answer 65

DDR achieved its ideological aim of collectivising agriculture​

Farming improved – DDR became more efficient​

State subsidised farms (like EEC did) which led to cheaper food

Collectives owned by the people produced a total of 15 types of beer and around 30 types of liquor by the end of the 1980s​

Despite the steep prices, high proof alcohol was popular and the average GDR citizen drank 23 bottles of liquor a year - more than double the amount consumed by the average citizen of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Question 66

What does social transformation mean?

Answer 66

Classless society​

Higher standards of living all round – better healthcare, education etc​

Eradication of all capitalistic, right wing and fascist thinking​

Use of education, indoctrination, propaganda

Question 67

intro to social change GDR

Answer 67

WWII -> so many young men dead​

**Of those left, so many (often skilled) fled to the West **in the period before 1961​

Nationalisation of industry and agriculture had an impact on the social composition of the new state.​

Provided opportunities for those willing to commit to the new system (e.g., peasants, working class, women)​

Greater work opportunities in formerly rural areas, workers in factories took responsibility for overseeing other workers’ work​

Former middle class lost positions as they were viewed as class enemies​

**Women benefitted **– educational opportunities, communal facilities on collectives and in workplaces (e.g., creches and after-school facilities) and improved maternity care

Question 68

churches in 1945 and GDR aims

Answer 68

1945 – high number of Christians in East Germany​

15 m Protestants; 1 m Catholics​

Aim of the regime – for the church to wither away

Question 69

religion in other eastern bloc countries

Answer 69

USSR – churches pulled down, priests arrested and killed, churches closed down, Christians went underground​

Czechoslovakia – destruction of all organised religion – church went underground​

Hungary – widespread arrests, imprisonments and killing of Christians. Church went underground​

Poland – Catholic schools were closed, crosses removed, but the church was allowed to continue. In the 1980s the church supported Solidarity ( a TU movement) in opposition to the Communist regime​

Romania and Bulgaria – the Communist government took control of the church and the church submitted to the state, outwardly supporting the regime

Question 70

churches in GDR

Answer 70

East German church still had contact with the West German church (the only institution that continued to have contact with the west) ​

The SED came to an accommodation with the church = ‘The Church in Socialism’​

The Church was given a high degree of autonomy compared with other Communist regimes​

BUT ​

1. the church was watched closely – Stasi infiltration. Recruited pastors as Stasi informants on the faithful (meticulous research first before approaching a pastor)​
2. the** church was undermined and weakened by making it a disadvantage to be part of a church youth group**, and setting up rival activities and processes. A battle for allegiance.

Indoctrination of young people at school

1954 –the Jugendweihe (Youth Dedication Service) = an act of commitment to the atheist state. Failure to undergo this would mean discrimination at school, no university place, no professional career.​

The church tried to oppose this, and urged their members to resist this, but by the end of the 1950s they had been forced to state that the ceremony did not contradict Christian teachings – i.e. a working agreement with the state.

Question 71

what was the youth dedication service

GDR

Answer 71

an act of commitment to the atheist state. Failure to undergo this would mean discrimination at school, no university place, no professional career

Question 72

when was the youth dedication service

GDR

Answer 72

1954

Question 73

postscript 1

GDR

Answer 73

1958 – devastating food shortages. It kept raining.​

Posters appeared:​

And it rained and rained and rained and rained.​

And there was no harvest.​

These posters disappeared. New ones:​

But there was no bread. The shops were empty.​

Question 74

Postscript 2

GDR

Answer 74

In 1982 Christians in Leipzig began a prayer meeting every Monday evening to pray for peace.​

Began with a dozen people. ​

1989 – 8000 crammed in, and thousands more outside.​

Monday 9th October 1989 - authorities expected trouble – armed police. After an hour, the pastor led the congregation out onto the Augustplatz, holding candles. Peaceful…. No fire….. ​

A week later 120,000 and a week later 300,000 on this prayer rally.​

9th November – the wall came down