Vocabulary and Key Concepts from East Germany Lecture

Verbs and Their Conjugations

• Abhauen (to run away)

  • Ich haue ab

  • Du haust ab

  • Er/Sie/Es haut ab

  • Wir hauen ab

  • Sie/Sie hauen ab

• Erkennen (to recognize)

  • Ich erkenne

  • Du erkennst

  • Er/Sie/Es erkennt

  • Wir erkennen

  • Sie/Sie erkennen

• Erleben (to experience)

  • Ich erlebe

  • Du erlebst

  • Er/Sie/Es erlebt

  • Wir erleben

  • Sie/Sie erleben

• Erwachen (to awaken)

  • Ich erwache

  • Du erwachst

  • Er/Sie/Es erwacht

  • Wir erwachen

  • Sie/Sie erwachen

• Schaffen (to create/manage)

  • Ich schaffe

  • Du schaffst

  • Er/Sie/Es schafft

  • Wir schaffen

  • Sie/Sie schaffen

• Erfahren (to learn/experience)

  • Ich erfahre

  • Du erfährst

  • Er/Sie/Es erfährt

  • Wir erfahren

  • Sie/Sie erfahren

• Retten (to save)

  • Ich rette

  • Du rettest

  • Er/Sie/Es rettet

  • Wir retten

  • Sie/Sie retten

Key Historical Concepts

• Klassenfeind

  • Translation: Class enemy

  • Used to label anyone seen as opposing Socialism (in the GDR).

• Marshall Plan

  • Purpose: Aimed to aid European economic recovery after WWII and prevent the spread of communism.

• Brain Drain

  • Refers to skilled workers and professionals who fled East Germany for better opportunities in the West before the Berlin Wall was built.

Key Events in East Germany's History

• German Democratic Republic (GDR) Formation

  • Established in 1949.

• End of Mass Exodus

  • Marked by the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961.

• Soviet Union Leader During GDR's Downfall

  • Mikhail Gorbachev (noted for reforms).

Reasons Behind the Fall of East Germany

• Economic challenges: Low productivity and lack of consumer goods.

• Mass emigration due to dissatisfaction with the regime.

• Civil unrest and protests calling for reform.

• Changes in Soviet policy under Gorbachev.

• Resignation of Erich Honecker in 1989.

Impact of the Berlin Wall

• Created isolation for East Germans, symbolizing lost freedoms.

• Families were separated; communication and travel between East and West were nearly impossible.

• State control via Stasi (secret police) over citizens, monitoring daily life.

Political and Economic Conditions

• East Germany: Single-party communist system, a controlled economy focusing on heavy industries.

• West Germany: A democratic state with a capitalist economy, experiencing rapid growth and prosperity through a social market system.