GDR in 1949

Question 1

SED party

Answer 1

• the party was formed in 1946 as a merge of the Communist Party and Social Democrat Party
• however, the communists dominated this party

Question 2

Soviet presence in Germany

Answer 2

• while NATO forced were being placed in West Germany, the Soviet Union was placing troops in East Germany

Question 3

Declaration of the GDR

Answer 3

• in the response to the formation of the FRG in 1949, the German Democratic Republic was formed
• the east recognised the GDR as an official state, but the western powers did not
• supposedly, the GDR government supported free and democratic elections, but the SED remained in power from the start to the end of the GDR in 1990
• the government declared its aims to be protecting East Germany from racism and constructing socialism