Establishing and consolidating Communist Rule in the GDR, 1949-61

Flashcards about Establishing and consolidating Communist Rule in the GDR, 1949-61

What event led to the post-war division of Germany?

Germany surrendered to the victorious allies on May 8th, 1945, leading to widespread destruction and a lack of functional government.

Which four major allies oversaw the post-war division of Germany?

Britain, France, USSR, and USA. They focused on demilitarization and denazification.

What was the key agreement made at Yalta regarding Germany?

The allies agreed to divide Germany into four military zones, overseen by the Allied Control Council.

What border change did Stalin propose at Yalta?

Stalin sought a redrawing of Germany’s borders to favor Poland.

What were the key agreements made at Potsdam regarding Germany?

Denazification, demilitarization, industrial dismantling, and preparation for democracy.

What did denazification entail for Germany?

Former Nazi leaders were brought to justice in post-war trials to eliminate Nazi influence.

What was the goal of demilitarization in Germany?

Military reductions to prevent Germany from starting aggressive wars again.

What was the purpose of industrial dismantling in Germany?

Large German industrial concerns were dismantled to weaken Germany and provide materials to the USSR as reparations.

What political system were the Allies aiming to establish in Germany?

Germany was to be prepared for democracy after the war.

How was Berlin divided after WWII?

Berlin was divided into zones controlled by the major allies.

What access agreement was missing regarding Berlin?

There was no formal agreement about how Western Allies would access their zones of Berlin.

What disagreement occurred regarding reparations from Germany?

Allies were unsuccessful in agreeing over reparations from Germany.

Why did the USA disagree with Stalin over reparations?

The USA refused to agree on a fixed sum for reparations sought by Stalin.

What was the agreement regarding reparations extraction from Germany?

Each power would take reparations from their respective zones.

What did the USSR receive in addition to reparations from its zone?

Stalin could have an additional percentage of industrial machinery from the Western Zones in return for food and raw materials from the Soviet zone.

What differing viewpoints did the Western Allies and Stalin have for Germany's future?

The Western allies saw capitalist democracy, while Stalin emphasized a demilitarized, neutral aspect.

What were the main priorities post WWII?

Denazifying Germany and warding off a humanitarian crisis.

What was the demographic of the Soviet Zone like?

The Soviet zone had a larger proportion of women, children and elderly people due to war casualties.

What happened to enterprises in the Soviet zone after the war?

Most large-scale enterprises were quickly revived after the war.

What was the focus of some people regarding reparations?

Minimizing reparations to the USSR.

What were Stalin's initial aims for Germany regarding communism?

He had no desire for a separate Communist republic initially and wanted a reunited Germany under Communist control.

What was Stalin uncertain of at the time?

He wasn't even sure that Communism was compatible with the Soviet zone.

What strategy did Stalin use to maintain control?

Deploying German Communists in key positions in the Soviet zone.

What type of political system did Stalin create?

Stalin chose to create an 'Anti-fascist democracy'.

Who was excluded from public life in the Soviet Zone?

Former Nazis were excluded from public life.

What did Stalin hope would happen with the US?

The US would withdraw from Europe like after WW1.

What was Stalin's priority with Germany?

Keeping Germany weak to prevent nationalism.

What was the problem with keeping Germany weak?

Keeping Germany weak meant less reparations to boost his economy.

What was the SMAD?

The Soviet zone was governed by the SMAD, comprised of expert German Communists.

Name 2 people who were in the SMAD.

Ulbricht and Wilhelm Pieck.

What was Pieck's role?

Select 150 reliable German communists to help look after the Soviet zone.

What was the aim of the SMAD?

Ensure Soviet zone evolves the way Stalin wants it to.

What responsibilities did the SMAD have?

Military, economy, civil affairs and political questions.

How long did the SMAD govern for?

SMAD governed the soviet zone until the creation of the GDR.

What confusion was had with the SMAD?

There was confusion about whether it had more power than the Soviet government.

What power did it lack?

It lacked the power to enforce any policies.

Name the two socialist parties in the Soviet Zone.

SPD and KPD.

What did the two parties seek?

Control over the key industries and abolition of private ownership.

What did the KPD manifesto do?

Played down Communism.

Why was denazification a popular policy?

Denazification was a popular policy, implied that ordinary Germans were not part of the collective guilt.

What did the KPD set out to allow Germans to do?

Allow Germans to move forward from the evils of the past.

What did Anton Ackermann argue?

Argued that Germany should take a peaceful path towards socialism.

What was the ambition for the merger of the KPD and SPD?

Create a party big enough to win in future elections.

What came of the merger between the KPD and SPD?

Merger was agreed and the 1.2 million members turned into 2 million.

How much support was there for the merger outside of the Soviet zone?

There was very little support for the merger outside of the Soviet zone.

Why did the merger happen?

The merger was forced, and the USSR was very influential.

What key policy was being implemented?

Eradication of Nazism.

What happened to Nazi party members?

Thousands of Nazi party members were arrested and sent to concentration camps.

What were the conditions in the concentration camps like?

Conditions were as bad as during Nazi times.

What were some of the removals?

Land reforms, confiscation of property and reforms in education.

What happened to landowners?

All landowners tainted with support for Nazism with holdings exceeding 100 hectares lost land without compensation.

Where did the land go after being confiscated?

2 million hectares were redistributed to formally landless peasants.

What properties were confiscated?

Property and firms belonging to former Nazis or leading offices were confiscated.

Where did these confiscated properties go?

Went to USSR as reparations and some went to public enterprise.

Who was higher education opened up to?

Higher education opened up to members of the working class.

What was the jump in working class students accessing higher education?

Working class = 3% of University students in 1945, but was 58% by 1950.

What was the designed purpose of the curriculum?

Curriculum was designed to promote Communism.

What did the Soviet Union push for?

Pushing harsh reparations in order to rebuild its shattered economy.

How was the Soviet Union taking reparations?

Dismantling industrial plants and equipment for shipment to USSR and monetary payments.

How much did the reparations cost?

Total cost between 1945-54 was 64 billion Ostmarks (16.8 billion for occupation costs).

What were reparations often used for?

They were to keep Germany weak.

What was happening to factories as a result of reparations?

Dismantled factories were left by railways to rust.

What did the Russians realise about the consequences of reparations?

Russians realised that they were not benefitting from this wastage. It was not in their interest to look after an economically weak and crippled zone.

How much railway track did the Soviet Zone lose?

Soviet zone lost 11,800 KM of railway track.

What was the main concern for Germans at the time?

Germans at the time were too concerned about survival than caring about politics.

Why was the USSR not so popular?

Reparations + concentration camps made the USSR unpopular.

What was destroying Germany's economy?

Costs of reparation and rebuilding was destroying Germany’s economy.

What did West Germany rely on, and what happened to it?

West Germany was dependant on food from the East. These dried up too, which led to further starvation.

What did the USA and Britain realise?

Realised that a poor Germany wasn’t helping anyone.

What zones were merged?

Merged zones to create bizonia. The French joined to create Trizonia.

What broke down co-operation between West/East powers?

To introduce the Deutschmark into the three Western Zones.

What was argued?

Argued that the three Western zones had no interest in decision making for the whole of Germany.

Why were there more tensions?

USA cancelled plans to reduce military side, therefore more tensions.

When was the Marshall plan introduced and what was it for?

In June 1947, Marshall Plan was introduced to help finance European recovery.

What was the Marshall plan seen as?

Seen as an event of the formal division of Europe into Soviet and Capitalist zones of influence

What internal and external tensions were there?

Internal and external tensions led to the Soviet representative leaving the AACC

What was made in May 1948?

Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) in May 1948 was made.

What did Stalin prefer?

Still preferred a united Germany, but Western powers took the initiative and the Deutschmark was still very successful.

What happened with price controls and rations?

Price controls and rations were taken away and the Marshall Aid was introduced.. Led to rapid economic growth.

Where did Berlin Lay?

Berlin lay within the Soviet zone, there was no guarantee of access for the Western powers.

What did Stalin change his mind on?

Stalin changed and decided to take full control of Berlin.

What did Stalin order?

Ordered a blockade of Berlin from the West. On 24th of June 1948.

What routes were blocked?

All land and canal routes were blocked.

How did the West react to the blockade?

West organized an airlift.

What was flown in?

Provisions and supplies everyday.

What did Stalin realise?

Stalin realised that the Allies wouldn’t give up and restored electricity supplies again

What became of Europe?

Europe was divided further.

What was the GDR known as?

GDR known as Stalin’s unwanted child. He got it out of default and not by design.

What did Stalin insist on?

Insisted on a gradual road to Communism.

When was the formation of the new state?

330 Congress members agreed a draft Constitution of the GDR, announced the formation of the new state on October 7th.

What happened to the SMAD?

SMAD abolished but turned into the Soviet Control Commission whose role was to supervise the State’s implementation of any allied directives.

What was the problem for the Allies?

The Allies had no long term strategies for Germany post-war.

What did Stalin favour?

Stalin favoured reunification but albeit as a socialist state

Where did this situation come from?

Born out of external factors (Cold War) And internal factors like the Western Zone’s co-operation

What process was next to consider?

The system of government:

Where did supreme authority lie?

Supreme authority lied within the Politburo of the SED.

What was the issue with the constitution?

Constitution guaranteed free speech. In reality, Article 6 was a catch-all-which could be used for repression.

When was the Stasi formed?

In March 1950, The Ministry of State Security was formed and called the Stasi.

What was the role of the Volkskammer?

Volkskammer was to be the supreme authority of whom were elected by a secret ballot.

What personal rights were there?

Personal rights-freedom of speech, religion and assembly were assured