the workers' uprising in 1953

causes

• The favoured and traditional 5 Länder states were replaced with 14 new, smaller regions called Bezirke to make administration and control of East Germany easier.

• In July 1952 at the SED party conference Ulbricht announced that he intended to accelerate the "systematic implementation of Socialism", following orders from Stalin to bring in collectivisation and rapid industrialisation.

• The Stasi had been growing to suppress political criticism, increase intimidation and control elements of society such as the media, education and Churches.

• Private businesses and the middle classes faced high taxation amongst other discrimination as the GDR favoured nationalisation over private ownership.

• Farmers were paid low prices for produce even though the majority were independent and had not been collectivised; yet this remained a constant threat.

• Ration cards were in place for basic foods like bread but there were still food shortages and rising prices. Workers wages were strictly controlled and very few consumer goods were being produced.

• People in the GDR compared themselves to their countrymen in the FRG and were dissatisfied; in 1952 171,000 moved from the GDR to the FRG.

• Stalin died on 5th March 1953 and new Soviet leaders told Ulbricht and the SED to be less strict in its policies but they did not listen.

• In May 1953 the GDR increased the 'norms' by 10% (working hours and productivity targets went up but wages were kept the same).

• On 13th June 1953 Ulbricht refused to remove the rise in the 'norms' which angered the workers.

events

• Around 300 construction workers in East Berlin assembled for a peaceful protest against the increase in the 'norms' and working conditions, on 16th June 1953.

• A worker on the protest used a loudspeaker to call for a general strike the next day; it was reported on a West Berlin radio station and broadcast across the GDR gaining support for the uprising.

• Workers from other jobs all over East Berlin joined construction workers and the protest turned into a protest about the GDR government and SED party.

• Protestors made political demands such as more democracy, reunification and Ulbricht's resignation.

• By midday 17th June over 100,000 protestors were on the streets of East Berlin and it spread to over 500 cities and towns across the GDR to include around 300,000 protestors.

• Ulbricht turned to the USSR for assistance and a state of emergency was implemented allowing c. 20,000 Soviet troops and supporting tanks to impose martial law across the GDR.

• There was little coordination by the protestors and no plans were made to seize control of radio stations or roads.

• The demonstrators lacked weapons on a scale that would have challenged the might of the Red Army.

• Both the Western Allies and Adenauer refused to give military help to the protestors as it would risk inevitable conflict with the USSR.

• By the evening of 17th June Ulbricht was back in charge after the Red Army restablished control.

consequences

• At least 40 people were killed across the GDR.

• Organisers of the protests and strikes were arrested and put on trial receiving indefinite prison sentences and some the death penalty for treason.

• Thousands were arrested after the protests and nearly 1,500 people were formally put on trial.

• GDR propaganda blamed the West and fascists for inciting the uprising.

• The claim of the GDR to be a democratic workers' state had been completely undermined.

• Over 20,000 SED officials were purged across all ranks and replaced with supporters of Ulbricht.

• The Stasi were given unlimited authority and increased in numbers to enable a more extensive surveillance network.

• In January 1954 Ulbricht removed two critics from the Politbureau, Zaisser and Herrnstadt, consolidating his control over the SED and the GDR.

• Ulbricht faced less criticism from within the SED for stopping the uprising.

• The work 'norms' were removed and basic food prices were lowered.

• More consumer goods were brought in for the population to buy as living standards improved.

• Farmers and private businessmen were taxed less and given more freedom.

• Refugee numbers from the GDR to FRG decreased between 1953-1958.

• The GDR was politically recognised by the USSR and also joined the Warsaw Pact in 1955 showing its reliance on Soviet support.

when was the workers’ uprising?

1953