GDR Military

What did the People’s Police have?

The People’s Police (Volkspolizei, Vopo) had traditional policing roles but with paramilitary rapid response.

What was the military force of East Germany?

The National People’s Army (National Volksarmee, NVA).

What was the NVA heavily influenced by?

The Soviets.

It was a traditional army, but also controlled the population.

What did SMAD do?

Renamed the Soviet High Commission in Oct 1949 saw Soviet troops remaining in barracks through the GDR.

What were soviet troops in barracks to do?

They would support the USSR if NATO attacked.

What maintained order and protected the Communist government?

The People’s Police and National People’s Army.

What did the military become?

A permanent pillar of SED control and tied East Germany closely to the USSR.

What policies did the military help enforce?

Policies such as the Berlin Wall, helping keep East Germans from fleeing but reinforced their reputation as a repressive state.

What did these organisations allow the SED to do?

Establish and maintain a totalitarian state in the GDR.