History GDR Years 1949-62 Key Topic 1 Government

• The SED was the ruling party, with its own newspaper Neues Deutschland
• The Volkskammer (People's Chamber) had no real power as it was controlled by the SED
• In 1950, the SED became the only legal political party in East Germany
• Ulbricht also attempted to reduce the influence of Stalinism on East German society
• The KVP was the youth wing of the SED, which aimed to indoctrinate young people into communism from an early age
• The Stasi was the secret police force responsible for maintaining socialist ideology and preventing dissent
• The New Economic System allowed workers councils to have greater control over production decisions and profits.
• Economic reforms included the introduction of the New Economic System in 1958 which aimed to increase productivity through decentralisation and profit incentives.
• The NES aimed to increase productivity through incentives such as bonuses and profit sharing
• East Germans were encouraged to report any suspicious activity or behavior to the authorities through the "denunciation" system.
• Agricultural collectivisation increased food production but did not meet demand due to poor quality land and lack of resources.
• Industrial output grew by 70% between 1950 and 1960, with exports increasing by 100%. However, this came at the cost of low living standards and environmental damage.
• The NES faced opposition from conservatives who saw it as a threat to centralised planning and socialists who believed it went against Marxist principles
• Increased productivity and economic growth were achieved under Ulbricht's leadership due to his focus on industrialisation and modernisation.
• Ulbricht introduced policies that encouraged investment in heavy industry and technology, leading to significant improvements in infrastructure and living standards.
• The NES encouraged worker participation in decision making and improved working conditions.
• Under Ulbricht's leadership, there was also a shift towards consumer goods production, with factories producing items like washing machines and televisions.
• The FDJ provided opportunities for personal development and leadership training, encouraging members to become active citizens and contribute to building socialism.
• The FDJ played a significant role in promoting socialist values among young people through activities such as sports events, cultural festivals, and educational programs.
• The FDJ was the youth organization that replaced the KVP in 1957
• The FDJ (Free German Youth) was set up to replace the Hitler Youth
• The GDR was established in 1949 and existed for 40 years, often at the front of the cold war.
• The GDR was created due to post WW2 divisions, with Western sectors of Germany merging to form the FRG, and Eastern sectors merging to form the GDR.
• The chairman of the politburo was responsible for reasons for and against the GDR being democratic in 1949 - 61.
• The fall in standard of living led to migration.
• The SED economic aims were to transform the GDR into a Marxist-Leninist state, combat the return of nazism, eradicate capitalism, and nationalise industry.
• The revolt caused widespread resentment from workers.
• The East German people revolted in 1953 due to Ulbricht's announcement of the need for industrial productivity to increase by 10% while pay would remain the same.
• Stalin demanded high levels of reparation, including 1500 industrial plants and half of the East German railway.
• The centralised planned economy was based on the principle of the government directing the economy from a planning apparatus based in Berlin.
• The USSR's policies towards reparations aimed to extract as much as possible while they could and to recover from the financial losses of the war.
• The GDR was a one party communist state that relied on the existence of the berlin wall.
• Ulbricht turned to the USSR for help in suppressing the revolt, deploying 200,000 soldiers and 600 tanks.
• The Ulbricht group aimed to retain control over all economic planning, emphasise the need for scientific expertise, and create career opportunities for people.
• 21 demonstrators were killed and injured in the suppression of the revolt.
• Protests had a political tone, with demands to end the SED and a choice of political parties at elections.
• Anti-Soviet messages were prevalent in the protests.
• Stalin was more evasive during the airlift, publicly supporting unity but many Westerners believed he wanted a united communist Germany.
• The Marshall Plan was announced in June 1948.
• The Deutschmark was introduced in the Western zone in June 1948.