GDR politics and constitution

What year was the GDR constitution crea

Give three pieces of evidence that the GDR constitution was democratic

• Guaranteed human rights eg. freedom of speech

• Trade unions could call strikes

• Elections every four years with secret ballot, multiple parties, proportional representation, compulsory voting

• Two elected chambers (Volkskammer and Landerkammer)

Give two pieces of evidence that the GDR constitution was not democratic

• Article 6 banned ‘incitement to boycott’

• Article 8 said the state can restrict or revoke personal freedoms

Give three pieces of evidence that the GDR merely had a façade of democracy?

• Only one list of candidates to choose from at elections - National Front drew this up

• Party over state - Prime Minister and President couldn’t make decisions

• Volkskammer only met a few days a year and only approved Politburo decisions

• SED dominated Landerkammer

What did the 1968 constitution change?

• Central role of SED to implement socialism

• Article 21 - civil rights linked to ‘corresponding obligations’

What did the 1974 amendments change?

Emphasised ties with USSR (not with FRG)

What were the two chambers of Parliament, and what was the difference?

• Volkskammer - People’s chamber (lower chamber) proportional representation

• Landerkammer (Chamber of States) - delegates from states

Which organisations had seats assigned in the list of approved candidates in the election?

• Parties - 110 SED, the rest divided between Christian, liberal, and SED-puppet groups

• 155 for mass organisations dominated by SED (eg. FDJ)

What happened to the Landerkammer?

• 1952: transferred power to 15 regional organisations to suppress regional power bases - sidelined

• Dec 1958: Landerkammer abolished

Who were the de jure (in law) leaders of the GDR?

• Pieck (President)

• Grotewohl (Prime Minister)

Who was the de facto (in reality) leader of the GDR?

Ulbricht (First Secretary)

What political change was made in 1960?

Role of President abolished after Pieck’s death, replaced by collective Council of State