1.4: Defending the GDR 1949-61

How and why were East Germans emigrating to West Germany in the 1950s?

Due to dissatisfaction with the poor performance, as well as the lack of essential freedoms, of the GDR compared to the FRG

GDR faced growing economic problems. This included frequent shortages, especially foodstuffs and high quality goods.

→ Increasingly the GDR became economically dependent on the USSR. Consumer goods and rises in living standards were no longer felt to be a priority. Emphasis was on building a fully-fledged socialist economy based on heavy industry.

However, rather than overtake the FRG, the GDR seemed to lag further behind.

• Ulbricht told his colleagues not to believe the doctored production reports.

• This was compounded by the decision of the FRG to cut trade with the GDR in retaliation for restrictions on West German citizens seeking entry into East Berlin.

They were guaranteed a better, more prosperous life and the ability to see family.

What was the extent of this emigration (statistics)?

Emigration was a problem because of young and well-educated people whom the GDR could not afford to lose.

• ¼ of doctors left.

• In 1949, the number of people moving from the GDR to the FRG was 129,245, in 1961 (until August) this increased to a drastic 155,402

What was the impact of this emigration on the GDR?

This resulted in a shortage of the very same skilled personnel who were contributing the economic success of the FRG.

How did the GDR try and curb this emigration BEFORE the building of the Berlin Wall in 1961?

The GDR constructed fences, watchtowers, and other obstacles along the inner-German border to make escape difficult.

Border guards were given the "Schießbefehl," or "order to shoot," and were authorized to use deadly force to prevent escape attempts.

In the 1950s, emigration laws were tightened. Those caught attempting to leave could face up to three years in prison.

Even travel to other Eastern Bloc countries required official permission, which was often granted arbitrarily and not given to those deemed unreliable. 

The government used propaganda to vilify those who left, and the system created social pressure to discourage emigration.

What did Khrushchev give in November 1958?

In November 1958, Khrushchev gave an ultimatum to the West – that Berlin should become an international city, governed by the UN. If the West did not agree within 6 months, he asserted that the USSR and GDR would implement the plan anyway.

• His aims were straightforward:

  • To neutralise Berlin as a centre of subversion against the GDR and a means by which migrants could flee to the FRG.

  • To secure Western recognition of the GDR.

  • To forestall what he feared were NATO’s plans to deploy nuclear missiles in West Germany.

How did the crisis unfold between Eisenhower and Khrushchev at Camp David, and then at the cancelled Paris summit?

Khrushchev informally withdrew the ultimatum he had previously issued demanding the Western powers withdraw from Berlin within six months.

Both leaders agreed that outstanding international questions should be settled through peaceful negotiations rather than force.

On May 1, 1960, a U.S. U-2 spy plane piloted by Francis Gary Powers was shot down over Soviet territory. The fragile détente was shattered.

He demanded the following from Eisenhower before the summit could begin:

• An official apology for the espionage missions.

• A promise to immediately end all future spy flights over Soviet airspace.

• Punishment for those responsible for the policy.

He took responsibility for the flights, but he refused to issue a formal apology.

What approach did Kennedy take when he became the new president?

Khrushchev saw Kennedy as weak and inexperienced.

At the Vienna Summit between the two leaders in June 1961, Khrushchev again insisted that the West withdraw its troops from Berlin within 6 months.

He was possibly surprised by the venom of Kennedy’s response that the USA was prepared to defend West Berlin by nuclear weapons if needed.

What led to the decision to build a wall?

The brain drain was a significant factor → people had begun to leave after Germany was split with the Western powers.

East Germany was controlled by the Soviet Union and in turn the West promised freedom and better living conditions.

What was Operation Rose and how did it happen?

It was the codename for the building of the Berlin Wall in August 1961.

• Many top SED officials were not informed until the night of its official construction.

It began during the night of 12-13 August 1961 and began as a barrier was initially building with little more than barbed wire.

Those that were visiting from the West were escorted back across the border but any visiting the West could choose to remain there.

• Could not visit their relatives.

• Border was firmly closed.

Eventually the wall would be running for 97 miles around the three Western sectors and 27 miles through the centre of Berlin.

What was the impact of the Berlin Wall for the East Berliners? West Berliners?

Behind the scenes many regarded the Wall as a solution to problems.

• Wall offered a stable border.

• West Germany still did not recognise the GDR.

• Many border crossers who lived in the East but worked in the West → They would’ve lost their jobs due to the wall

• Westerners often travelled to the East to take advantage of the cheaper goods and more vibrant nightlife.

• Families were split; quite poignant were those in the West who had partners in the East and vice versa.

What was the impact of the Berlin Wall for the SED?

The cost to the GDR of the open border had been an estimated 2.5 to 3 billion Ostmarks in lost skills.

The GDR had paid for the education of its most skilled citizens.

• Now they couldn’t sell their services anywhere else.

What was the impact internationally?

Meant that the leaders of the USA and USSR no longer needed to respond to the demands of their clients.

Kennedy could refuse to place nuclear weapons in West Germany and Khrushchev could assure Ulbricht that the West de facto recognised the right of the GDR to exist.