Germany: Flood of Refugees from GDR Flashcards
Leader of the FRG 1969 - 74 ?
Willy Brandt
Leader of FRG 1982 - 90 ?
Helmut Kohl
When was Helmut Kohl the Chancellor of Germany ?
1990 - 98
Who was the US president 1981-89 ?
Ronald Reagan
Leader of GDR 1971-89 ?
Erich Honecker
Leader of the USSR 1985-91 ?
Mikhail Gorbachev
What is Ostopolitik ?
1972 - Improved relations with the East, Basic treaty confirming the division, led to economic cooperation
What were Gorbachev’s 2 policies ?
Glasnost (Openess), Perestroika (Restructuring)
Attempting to become more friendly
Why did Gorbachev try to westernise ?
Economic opportunity
What 4 things did Gorbachev do ?
Reduce military spending
Reduce satellite funding
Relatively free speech
Reduced the Size of the Army
What was Honecker’s approach to East Germany ?
“It was following the right path” and did not need changing
How much did the FRG loan to the GDR to prop up their economy ?
DM 1.95 Billion
By 1988 how many East Germans were allowed to migrate ?
increased from 18,500 - 30,000
By ___ the GDR received ____ of applications from ____ to emigrate to the FRG
1988
100,000s
Skilled workers
How many migrated by 1989 and what was the issue ?
48,000
Tended to be Old or Sick so stressed the FRG economy
How many East Germans could visit relatives ?
1987-88 : 5 million to 6.2 million
How did the FRG attempt to reduce emigration from GDR ?
Reduce benefits given migrants
When did the reforming Hungarian communist gov. announce they would remove fencing along its border with Austria ?
2nd May 1989
Why was Hungary removing part of the iron curtain so significant ?
It was a permitted holiday location by the communist states
How many Germans travelled to Hungary after hearing about the “Chink in the iron curtain” ?
10,000s
When did Hungarian officials stop stamping passports of citizens crossing the border ?
9th August 1989
How many crossed into Austria from the GDR ?
20th August 1989 - 500
