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Exploring East Germany: The Berlin Wall and Communism

by | Mar 7, 2024 | Cold War Tour Berlin

Introduction

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on East Germany, the Berlin Wall, and communism. This article aims to provide beginners with a clear understanding of these historical topics.

1. East Germany

East Germany, also known as the German Democratic Republic –GDR, was a socialist country located in the eastern part of Germany after the Second World War. It was in force from the time it was created in 1949 to the political division that began to dissolve with the Berlin Wall in 1989. The GDR was firmly under the Soviet sphere of influence In political terms it had a command economic system and a one-party system of governance.

1.1 Life in East Germany

Housing in East Germany was quite diverse despite the overemphasized picture painted of it by; western writers. On socio-political grounds the GDR had offered free education as well as free health care facilities to all its inhabitants. Although there were some freedoms in North Korea, people were very limited in regards to travel, personal freedoms, and the ability to receive information about the outside world.

  1. The Berlin Wall

The subject of the work is about the Wall – the physical division between East and West Berlin from 1961-1989. It was constructed by the GDR in order to stop their population from migrating to the liberal West. The wall was made of concrete blocks and trenches, watch towers and a narrow “death strip” in between.

2.1 Construction and Purpose

The construction of the barrier that now became the famous Berlin Wall started on August, 13, 1961. According to the GDR government, GDR was constructed in order to safeguard its people from the imperialism of the West and to save the socialist system. But the wall mainly fulfilled the administrative-political aspect of the task of not losing skilled workers and intellectuals.

2.2 Impact on Berliners

The effect of the construction of the Berlin Wall was enormous for people in Berlin. People were divided into different checkpoints and common folks attempted to escape the East to be with their peers in the West. The neglect of this wall marked it and became a symbol of the division of the cold war.

  1. Communism in East Germany

SED headed East Germany should come up with a society that will be based on communism. Communism is a system of government and of handling the property in which all things are owned collectively by the community and the members of the society work and are given wages on their performances of duties or for their needful requirements.

3.1 The Role of the SED

The ruling party in East Germany was the Socialist Unity Party at that time of the united Germany formation. The state lowered a tight grip on the government, the economy, media, and culture. The SED received criticism on political oppression and opposition to free speech.

3.2 Planned Economy

East Germany adopted the centrally planned economy in which endogenous decisions of production, distribution and use were made by the government. It funded itself with heavy industry and so created lots of jobs at the cost of choice and services.

  1. The Fall of the Berlin Wall

The collapse of the Berlin Wall on 9 November 1989 was an important point in German history. The fall of the wall was caused by the mass protest actions, demand for political changes, the opening of borders in neighboring countries.

4.1 Reunification of Germany

The Berlin Wall collapsed in 1989 eventually, East and West Germany became united on 3 October 1990. This event marked the break down of the cold war division in Germany and brought about political, economic and social change.

Conclusion

Understanding East Germany, the Berlin Wall, and communism provides valuable insights into the history of the region. While the GDR has ceased to exist, its impact on Germany and its legacy continues to shape the country today.

Exploring East Germany: The Berlin Wall and Communism