East Germany, 1958-90
Overview
On 15 June 1961 Walter Ulbricht told a press conference that nobody had any intention of building a wall. Eight weeks later Berliners woke to find barbed wire across their streets. For the next twenty-eight years the German Democratic Republic held its population in place with concrete, watchtowers and a secret police force that at its height employed around 91,000 people full time and ran roughly 189,000 informers. Then, in the autumn of 1989, it lost control of its own citizens in about eight weeks and disappeared within a year.
This note covers the Berlin Wall crisis, the economy and the machinery of control, daily life in a state that genuinely delivered work, childcare and housing while denying free speech and free movement, the strange half-friendship of Ostpolitik, and the Peaceful Revolution. Because this is a Paper 2 source topic, it also uses one of the richest bodies of evidence any period has left behind: propaganda, escape testimony, applications to emigrate, and the Stasi's own files, which the people they spied on were later allowed to read.
Objectives
- The Berlin Wall crisis, 1958-63: the refugee problem, the influence of Ulbricht and Khrushchev, the impact of the Wall on East Berliners, security and escapes
- Stabilisation and control: the GDR, 1962-87: economic stabilisation, the New Economic System, the role of Comecon, economic problems in the 1980s, the role of the Stasi, control of the young, religion, propaganda, censorship
- Life in the GDR - social change, 1962-87: daily life including employment, housing, education, welfare, the changing role of women, Honecker and GDR identity, mass media, sport
- Ostpolitik - relations with the Federal Republic, 1969-87: Ostpolitik and its impact, the agreements of 1970-72, travel restrictions, international recognition of the GDR
- The Peaceful Revolution, 1987-90: the influence of Gorbachev, key events of 1989, the decline of Honecker, the opening of the Berlin Wall, the collapse of the SED government, the reunification of Germany
Lesson Note
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on East Germany, 1958-90. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Roughly how many people left the GDR for the West between 1949 and August 1961? A) About 300,000 B) About 1 million C) About 2.7 million D) About 6 million Answer: C
- What did Khrushchev demand in his Berlin ultimatum of November 1958? A) The immediate reunification of Germany B) That the Western allies withdraw from West Berlin within six months and that it become a demilitarised free city C) That West Germany leave NATO D) That the GDR be admitted to the United Nations Answer: B
- Which agreement of December 1972 led the two German states to recognise each other and exchange permanent missions? A) The Four Power Agreement on Berlin B) The Treaty of Moscow C) The Basic Treaty D) The Helsinki Final Act Answer: C
- Why were church buildings important to opposition groups in the GDR during the 1980s? A) The SED had banned all other religions B) They were the only institution outside direct SED control, so peace, environmental and human rights groups could meet there C) The Stasi was forbidden by law from entering them D) They were funded directly by West Germany Answer: B
- What event on 9 November 1989 led directly to the opening of the Berlin Wall? A) Honecker's resignation B) The Alexanderplatz demonstration C) A press conference at which Schabowski announced new travel regulations and said they took effect immediately D) The first free elections in the GDR Answer: C
Available on the Green Bridge App
Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.
Available on the Green Bridge App
Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.
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