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[[Image:Ddr.jpg‎|thumb|200px| The GDR was a totalitarian Communist dictatorship that only lasted 40 years ]]

[[Image:Ddr.jpg‎|thumb|200px| The GDR was a totalitarian Communist dictatorship that only lasted 40 years]]

The '''German Democratic Republic''' ('''GDR''') (German: ''Deutsche Demokratische Republik'', abbr. '''DDR'''), usually called '''East Germany''', was the [[communism|Communist]] state that controlled the eastern third of Germany (as well as most of Berlin) from 1949-90.  It had its own government and army, which were controlled by the East German Communist Party.  That party in turn was controlled by [[Moscow]], making the DDR a satellite of the [[Soviet Union]]. East Germany was the [[Cold War]] counterpart of '''[[West Germany]].''' The capital was Berlin (that is, East Berlin).

The '''German Democratic Republic''' ('''GDR''') (German: ''Deutsche Demokratische Republik'', abbr. '''DDR'''), usually called '''East Germany''', was the [[communism|Communist]] state that controlled the eastern third of Germany (as well as most of Berlin) from 1949-90.  It had its own government and army, which were controlled by the East German Communist Party.  That party in turn was controlled by [[Moscow]], making the DDR a satellite of the [[Soviet Union]]. East Germany was the [[Cold War]] counterpart of '''[[West Germany]].''' The capital was Berlin (that is, East Berlin).

The GDR was not officially recognized by non-Communist nations until after the Basic Treaty with West Germany was signed in 1972. It joined the [[United Nations|UN]] in 1973, at the same time as West Germany.  It was part of the [[Warsaw Pact]], the Communist counterpart to [[NATO]].

The GDR was not officially recognized by non-Communist nations until after the Basic Treaty with West Germany was signed in 1972. It joined the [[United Nations|UN]] in 1973, at the same time as West Germany.  It was part of the [[Warsaw Pact]], the Communist counterpart to [[NATO]].

As historian Gerhard Ritter has argued, the East German state was historically defined by two dominant forces - Soviet Communism and German traditions filtered through the interwar experiences of German Communists - always constrained by the magnet of the increasingly prosperous West. The Communist transformation was strongest in industry, agriculture, the militarization of society, and most of the educational system, while the science-engineering professions, the churches, and even petty-bourgeois traditions preserved niches. Social policy, which became a critical legitimization tool in the last decades, mixed Communist and traditional elements about equally.  

As historian Gerhard Ritter has argued, the East German state was historically defined by two dominant forces - Soviet Communism and German traditions filtered through the interwar experiences of German Communists - always constrained by the magnet of the increasingly prosperous West. The Communist transformation was strongest in industry, agriculture, the militarization of society, and most of the educational system, while the science-engineering professions, the churches, and even petty-bourgeois traditions preserved niches. Social policy, which became a critical legitimization tool in the last decades, mixed Communist and traditional elements about equally.  

Danish historian Feiwel Kupferberg (2002) shows the rigid communist system in the GDR inculcated passivity, helplessness, and amoral pragmatism in its citizens. By depriving them of individual freedoms--such as freedom of creative expression and freedom to travel and to learn-- the Communist system relieved citizens of individual responsibility and necessary risk-taking. They were trained to look to external sources for cradle-to-grave security. Indeed, many came to think of their narrow security blanket as a better system.

Danish historian Feiwel Kupferberg (2002) shows the rigid communist system in the GDR inculcated passivity, helplessness, and amoral pragmatism in its citizens. By depriving them of individual freedoms—such as freedom of creative expression and freedom to travel and to learn—the Communist system relieved citizens of individual responsibility and necessary risk-taking. They were trained to look to external sources for cradle-to-grave security. Indeed, many came to think of their narrow security blanket as a better system.

==Origins==

==Origins==

During [[World War II]], the Allies (U.S., Britain, and the Soviet Union) agreed on dividing a defeated Germany into occupation zones<ref>http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/2WWyalta.htm</ref>, and on dividing [[Berlin]], the German capital, among the Allied powers as well. Initially this meant the construction of three zones of occupation American, British, and Soviet. Later, a French zone was carved out of the American and British zones.  

During [[World War II]], the Allies (U.S., Britain, and the Soviet Union) agreed on dividing a defeated Germany into occupation zones,<ref>http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/2WWyalta.htm</ref> and on dividing [[Berlin]], the German capital, among the Allied powers as well. Initially this meant the construction of three zones of occupation American, British, and Soviet. Later, a French zone was carved out of the American and British zones.  

In 1945 the Soviet armies swept into the eastern parts of Germany, and destroyed both the Nazi government and the local political, religious, business, landowning and cultural leadership.  All land was taken over and turned into collective farms; all large businesses, banks and factories were nationalized.  Many small-scale shops remained in the private sector. The economy  declined as the new bosses were chosen for party loyalty not expertise.  Most of the old leadership that escaped execution fled to the west. A ruthless Communist dictatorship, backed by Soviet armies took control.  No forms of popular democracy was allowed, and all media were tightly controlled by the state.   

In 1945 the Soviet armies swept into the eastern parts of Germany, and destroyed both the Nazi government and the local political, religious, business, landowning and cultural leadership.  All land was taken over and turned into collective farms; all large businesses, banks and factories were nationalized.  Many small-scale shops remained in the private sector. The economy  declined as the new bosses were chosen for party loyalty not expertise.  Most of the old leadership that escaped execution fled to the west. A ruthless Communist dictatorship, backed by Soviet armies took control.  No forms of popular democracy was allowed, and all media were tightly controlled by the state.   

==DDR created 1949==

==DDR created 1949==

The ruling Communist party, known as the "[[Socialist Unity Party of Germany|Socialist Unity Party]]" (SED), was formed in April 1946 out of the forced merger between the German Communist Party (KPD) and the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD). As [[Walter Ulbricht]] noted, everything was made to look democratic while in realty Communists retained control in the background. They were totally loyal to Stalin, and realized their regime would collapse if it lost the backing of the Soviet army--as indeed happened in 1989.  Historians debate whether the decision to form a separate country was initiated by Stalin or by the SED.<ref> See Spilker (2006) </ref>   

The ruling Communist party, known as the "[[Socialist Unity Party of Germany|Socialist Unity Party]]" (SED), was formed in April 1946 out of the forced merger between the German Communist Party (KPD) and the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD). As [[Walter Ulbricht]] noted, everything was made to look democratic while in realty Communists retained control in the background. They were totally loyal to Stalin, and realized their regime would collapse if it lost the backing of the Soviet army—as indeed happened in 1989.  Historians debate whether the decision to form a separate country was initiated by Stalin or by the SED.<ref>See Spilker (2006)</ref>   

As West Germany was reorganized and gained independence from the occupation, Stalin established the German Democratic Republic in 1949. The creation of the two states made permanent the 1945 division of Germany.<ref>http://web.ku.edu/~eceurope/hist557/lect17.htm</ref>  

As West Germany was reorganized and gained independence from the occupation, Stalin established the German Democratic Republic in 1949. The creation of the two states made permanent the 1945 division of Germany.<ref>http://web.ku.edu/~eceurope/hist557/lect17.htm</ref>  

West Germany was far superior to East Germany in virtually all crucial sectors of economics, freedom and society, but the GDR succeeded in beating the FRG in the Olympic Games. The GDR could not compete on the soccer field, however, winning only once (in 1974) against the FRG national team. Being aware of their inferiority, the East Germans consistently avoided matches against the West German national team. Comparisons between individual clubs were also subject to strict monitoring. Nevertheless, the enthusiasm of East German soccer fans for West German teams remained constant during this epoch of the divided nation and could not be suppressed by repressive measures on the part of the Stasi.

West Germany was far superior to East Germany in virtually all crucial sectors of economics, freedom and society, but the GDR succeeded in beating the FRG in the Olympic Games. The GDR could not compete on the soccer field, however, winning only once (in 1974) against the FRG national team. Being aware of their inferiority, the East Germans consistently avoided matches against the West German national team. Comparisons between individual clubs were also subject to strict monitoring. Nevertheless, the enthusiasm of East German soccer fans for West German teams remained constant during this epoch of the divided nation and could not be suppressed by repressive measures on the part of the Stasi.

East and West Germany not only competed for medals but also fought a battle of ideologies in the Olympic arena. Therefore, parts of the successful East German sports system were thoroughly protected almost as state secrets to prevent an imitation of its programs by the '[[class enemy]].' Sports complexes and schools were hidden from the public, press coverage was censored, academic communications were hindered, and the doping system was guarded by the Ministry of State Security. On several occasions, even the Soviet Union complained about the East German mystery-mongering. Ultimately, sports in East Germany --although highly successful in the Olymic medal race--became estranged from the public.

East and West Germany not only competed for medals but also fought a battle of ideologies in the Olympic arena. Therefore, parts of the successful East German sports system were thoroughly protected almost as state secrets to prevent an imitation of its programs by the '[[class enemy]].' Sports complexes and schools were hidden from the public, press coverage was censored, academic communications were hindered, and the doping system was guarded by the Ministry of State Security. On several occasions, even the Soviet Union complained about the East German mystery-mongering. Ultimately, sports in East Germany—although highly successful in the Olymic medal race—became estranged from the public.

===Refugees===

===Refugees===

Willi Stoph (1914-1999), was chairman of the council of ministers (prime minister) of East Germany from 1964 to 1973 and from 1976 to 1989. He became minister of the interior (1952-55) in charge of the Stasi, the dreaded secret police, and minister of defense (1956-60).  A close associate of party boss Erich Honecker, Stoph was forced out in November 1989.

Willi Stoph (1914-1999), was chairman of the council of ministers (prime minister) of East Germany from 1964 to 1973 and from 1976 to 1989. He became minister of the interior (1952–55) in charge of the Stasi, the dreaded secret police, and minister of defense (1956–60).  A close associate of party boss Erich Honecker, Stoph was forced out in November 1989.

==Ostalgie==

==Ostalgie==

The end of the Cold War division of Germany and unification in 1990 inspired initial euphoria. But for many East Germans, this joy quickly turned to dismay. West Germans often acted as if they had "won" and East Germans had "lost" in unification, leading many ''Ossis'' to resent ''Wessis.'' Additionally, the dislocations associated with the end of communism, the disappearance of East Germany and German unification were hardest for East Germany, where unemployment skyrocketed and many East German professionals quickly fled for better jobs in West Germany. These and other effects of unification led many East Germans to begin to think of themselves more strongly as "East" Germans rather than simply as "Germans." This produced in many former GDR citizens a longing for certain aspects of the former East Germany, such as full employment and other perceived benefits of the GDR state, termed "Ostalgia" (''Ostalgie''), and depicted in the Wolfgang Becker film "Goodbye Lenin!"

The end of the Cold War division of Germany and unification in 1990 inspired initial euphoria. But for many East Germans, this joy quickly turned to dismay. West Germans often acted as if they had "won" and East Germans had "lost" in unification, leading many ''Ossis'' to resent ''Wessis.'' Additionally, the dislocations associated with the end of communism, the disappearance of East Germany and German unification were hardest for East Germany, where unemployment skyrocketed and many East German professionals quickly fled for better jobs in West Germany. These and other effects of unification led many East Germans to begin to think of themselves more strongly as "East" Germans rather than simply as "Germans." This produced in many former GDR citizens a longing for certain aspects of the former East Germany, such as full employment and other perceived benefits of the GDR state, termed "Ostalgia" (''Ostalgie''), and depicted in the Wolfgang Becker film "Goodbye Lenin!"

Danish historian Feiwel Kupferberg (2002) argues that the real difficulty in German reunification was the discrepancy in the ways the West Germans ("Wessies") and East Germans ("Ossies") have viewed their Nazi past. The West Germans grimly faced it, atoned for it, and transformed their half of the country into a prosperous, free democracy that valued both individual freedom and responsibility, By contrast  the East Germans absorbed the Soviet-made myth that East Germany was the "victor of history" that successfully resisted the fascists. They blamed their western compatriots for the Nazi atrocities, because West Germany--like Hitler's Germany--was a capitalist economy.

Danish historian Feiwel Kupferberg (2002) argues that the real difficulty in German reunification was the discrepancy in the ways the West Germans ("Wessies") and East Germans ("Ossies") have viewed their Nazi past. The West Germans grimly faced it, atoned for it, and transformed their half of the country into a prosperous, free democracy that valued both individual freedom and responsibility, By contrast  the East Germans absorbed the Soviet-made myth that East Germany was the "victor of history" that successfully resisted the fascists. They blamed their western compatriots for the Nazi atrocities, because West Germany—like Hitler's Germany—was a capitalist economy.

== See also ==

== See also ==