KQ3: Western Influences on the GDR

Question 1

What was the name of the GDR television channel that criticised the west

Answer 1

the Black Channel

Question 2

Give a statistic on the number of people that travelled to the West.

Answer 2

It is estimated that up to 20% of the entire population of the GDR visited the FRG at some point in 1987 and returned

Question 3

From which year were East Germans allowed to keep western currency

Answer 3

1974

Question 4

Statistic on television ownership in the GDR.

Statistic on number of East Germans watching western tv

Answer 4

By 1971, 85% of GDR families owned a television. It was estimated that 60-90% of these watched Western TV programs

Question 5

Which year did the ‘valley of the clueless’ in Dresden get TV

Answer 5

1973

Question 6

Name 2 popular foreign radio stations in the GDR

Answer 6

radio luxembourg = pop music

US controlled RIAS = news and popular satire

Question 7

How much were cinema tickets in the GDR?

Answer 7

2 Ostmarks

Question 8

Describe the audience of GDR cinema

Answer 8

70% were below 25

Question 9

Give 2 examples of american films that potrayed the west in a negative light

Answer 9

1) 1969 ‘Twelve Angry Men’ about a miscarriage of justice in the US
2) Woody Allen films, suggesting capitalism led to neuroticism

Question 10

Describe the SED’s attitude to punk music.

Answer 10

consistently against it

Question 11

Describe the SED’s attitude to beat music

Answer 11

• pre-1965 = leaders of the FDJ realised it could be a useful means of engendering support for the regime among the young
• 1965 = beat music became taboo and demonstrations in Leipzig put down with brutality
• 1970s = beat music tolerated as long as it kept a low profile