The date of formation of Germany (as it is now) is October 3, 1990. Before this, the territory of the country was divided into two states: the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the German Democratic Republic (GDR). Today we will take a closer look at what the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic are, and get acquainted with the history of these states.

a brief description of

On May 23, 1949, the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) was proclaimed. It included sections of Nazi Germany located in the British, American and French zones of occupation. A special article of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany assumed that in the future the rest of the German territories would also be part of the newly formed state.

Due to the occupation of Berlin and the granting of a special status to it, the capital of the country was moved to the provincial town of Bonn. On October 7 of the same year, the German Democratic Republic (GDR) was proclaimed in the Soviet occupation zone. Berlin was appointed its capital (in fact, only the eastern part of the city, which was under the control of the GDR). For the next 40-odd years, the two German states existed separately. Until the 1970s, the authorities of the country of Germany categorically did not want to recognize the GDR. Later she began to recognize the “neighbors,” but only partially.

The peaceful revolution in the GDR, which took place in the fall of 1990, led to the fact that on October 3 its territories were integrated into the Federal Republic of Germany. At the same time, the capital of Germany was returned to Berlin.

Now let's get acquainted with these events in more detail.

Division of Germany after surrender

When the Allied forces (America, USSR, Great Britain and France) captured Nazi Germany, its territory was divided between them into four occupation zones. Berlin was also divided, but it received a special status. In 1949, the Western Allies united their territories and named the region Trizonia. The eastern part of the country remained under Soviet occupation.

Education Germany

On May 24, 1949, the Parliamentary Council meeting in Bonn (a city that belonged to the British occupation zone), under the strict control of military governors, proclaimed the Federal Republic of Germany. It included newly created areas at that time belonging to the British, American and French occupation zones.

On the same day, the constitution was adopted. Article 23 of the document declared its extension to Berlin, which formally could only be partly part of the Federal Republic of Germany. The main provisions of this article also provided for the prospect of extending the constitution to other German lands. Thus, the basis was laid for the entry into Germany of all territories of the pre-existing German Empire.

The preamble to the constitution clearly outlined the need to unite the German people on the basis of a recreated state. The document itself was positioned as temporary, so it was officially called not the constitution, but the “Basic Law”.

Since Berlin was endowed with a special political status, it was not possible to maintain the capital of the Federal Republic there. In this regard, it was decided to appoint the provincial city of Bonn, in which the country of Germany was proclaimed, as its temporary capital.

Creation of the GDR

The German lands of the Soviet occupation zone did not intend to recognize the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany adopted on May 23, 1949. On May 30, delegates of the German People's Congress, elected two weeks earlier, adopted the constitution of the GDR, recognized by the 5 states of Soviet occupation. On the basis of the adopted constitution in the republic, which also called itself East Germany, state authorities were created.

On October 19, elections to the Chamber of Lands and the People's Chamber of the first convocation took place. The chairman of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED), Wilhelm Pieck, became the president of the GDR.

Political status and prospects for expansion of Germany

From the very beginning, the government of the Federal Republic of Germany has clearly defined what the Federal Republic is. It positioned itself as the sole representative of the interests of the German people, and Germany itself as the only follower of the German Empire. Therefore, it is not surprising that it had claims to all lands belonging to the empire before the expansion of the Third Reich. These lands included, among other things, the territories of the GDR, the Western part of Berlin, as well as the “former eastern regions” that were transferred to Poland and the Soviet Union. In the first years after the founding of the Federal Republic of Germany, its government tried in every possible way to avoid direct contact with the government of the GDR. The reason is that it could indicate recognition of the GDR as an independent state.

America and Great Britain also remained of the opinion that the legitimate successor of the empire was the Federal Republic of Germany. France believed that the German Empire had disappeared as such back in 1945. Harry Truman, the 33rd President of the United States, refused to sign a peace treaty with Germany because he did not want to recognize the existence of two German states. In 1950, at the New York conference, the foreign ministers of the three countries finally came to a common denominator on the question “what is the Federal Republic of Germany?” The claims of the government of the republic regarding the sole representation of the German people were recognized. However, they refused to recognize the government as the governing body of all Germany.

Due to the refusal to identify the GDR, German legislation recognized the existence of a single German citizenship, therefore it called its citizens simply Germans, and did not consider the territories of the GDR as foreign countries. That is why the country had a citizenship law adopted back in 1913. The same law was also in force in the GDR until 1967, which was also a supporter of unified citizenship. In practice, the current situation meant that any German living in the GDR could come to Germany and obtain a passport there. To prevent this, the leaders of the Democratic Republic prohibited its residents from obtaining passports in the Republic of Germany. In 1967, they introduced GDR citizenship, which received official recognition in Germany only 20 years later.

The reluctance to recognize the borders of the Democratic Republic was reflected in maps and atlases. So, in 1951, maps were published in Germany in which Germany had the same borders as in 1937. At the same time, the division of the republic, as well as the division of lands with Poland and the Soviet Union, was indicated by a barely noticeable dotted line. On these maps, the toponyms that had fallen to the enemy remained under their old names, and any signs of the GDR were simply absent. It is noteworthy that even in the maps of 1971, when the whole world clearly understood what the Federal Republic of Germany and the GDR were, the situation did not change much. The hatched lines became more visible, but still differed from those that would mark the boundaries between states.

Development of Germany

The first Chancellor of the Federal Republic was Konrad Adenauer, an experienced lawyer, administrator and activist of the Center Party. His concept of leadership was based on a social market economy. He remained as Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany for 14 years (1949-1963). In 1946, Adenauer founded a party called the Christian Democratic Union, and in 1950 he headed it. The head of the opposition Social Democratic Party was Kurt Schumacher, a former Reichsbanner fighter who was imprisoned in Nazi concentration camps.

Thanks to the assistance of the United States in the implementation of the Marshall Plan and Ludwig Erhard's plans for the economic development of the country in the 1960s, the German economy rushed upward. In history, this process was called the “German Economic Miracle.” To meet the need for inexpensive labor, the Federal Republic supported an influx of guest workers, mainly from Turkey.

In 1952, the states of Baden, Württemberg-Baden and Württemberg-Hohenzollern were united into the single state of Baden-Württemberg. The Federal Republic of Germany became a federation consisting of nine states (member states). In 1956, after a referendum and the signing of the Luxembourg Treaty with France, the Saar region, which was previously under the protectorate of France, became part of the Federal Republic of Germany. Its official annexation into the Republic of Germany (FRG) occurred on January 1, 1957.

On May 5, 1955, with the abolition of the occupation regime, the Federal Republic of Germany was officially recognized as a sovereign state. Sovereignty extended only to the area of ​​validity of the temporary constitution, that is, it did not cover Berlin and the former territories of the empire, which at that time belonged to the GDR.

In the 1960s, a series of emergency laws were developed and implemented that banned the activities of a number of organizations (including the Communist Party), as well as certain professions. The country waged active denazification, that is, the fight against the consequences of the Nazis being in power, and tried with all its might to ensure the impossibility of a revival of Nazi ideology. In 1955, Germany joined NATO.

Relations with the GDR and foreign policy

The government of the Republic of Germany did not recognize the GDR and, until 1969, refused to enter into diplomatic relations with states whose positions on this issue differed. The only exception was the Soviet Union, which recognized the GDR, but was part of four occupying powers. In practice, this reason only led to the severance of diplomatic relations twice: with Yugoslavia in 1967 and with Cuba in 1963.

Back in 1952, Stalin spoke about the unification of the Federal Republic of Germany and the GDR. On March 10 of the same year, the USSR invited all occupying powers to develop a peace treaty with Germany as quickly as possible, in cooperation with all-German governments, and even drafted this document. The Soviet Union agreed with the unification of Germany and, provided it did not participate in military blocs, even allowed the existence of an army and military industry in it. The Western powers effectively rejected the Soviet proposal, insisting that the newly unified country should have the right to join NATO.

Berlin Wall

On August 11, 1961, the People's Chamber of the GDR decided to build the Berlin Wall, a 155 km long engineering and defensive structure strengthening the border between the two German republics. As a result, construction began on the night of August 13. By 1 a.m., the border between West and East Berlin was completely blocked by GDR troops. On the morning of August 13, people who were usually heading to the western part of the city to work encountered resistance from law enforcement agencies and paramilitary patrols. By August 15, the approach to the border was completely blocked by barbed wire, and construction of the fence began. On the same day, the metro lines that connected the two parts of the city were closed. Potsdamer Platz, which was located in the border zone, was also closed. Many buildings and residential buildings adjacent to the dividing line between East and West Berlin were evicted. The windows that faced the German territory were blocked with bricks. Later, during the reconstruction of the barrier, the buildings adjacent to it were completely demolished.

Construction and refurbishment of the structure continued until 1975. Initially, it was a fence made of concrete slabs or brickwork, equipped with barbed wire. In some sections, these were simple Bruno spirals that could be overcome with a deft jump. At first, this was used by defectors who managed to bypass police posts.

By 1975, the wall was already an impregnable and rather complex structure. It consisted of concrete blocks 3.6 meters high, on top of which cylindrical barriers were installed. A restricted area with a large number of obstacles, guard posts and a lighting device was equipped along the wall. The exclusion zone consisted of a simple wall, several strips of anti-tank hedgehogs or metal spikes, a metal mesh fence with barbed wire and a flare system, a patrol road, a wide strip of regularly leveled sand, and finally the impenetrable wall described above.

Change of Chancellor

When Willy Brandt assumed the post of Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1969, a new round began in relations between Germany and the GDR. The Social Democrats who came to power weakened legislation and recognized the inviolability of post-war state borders. Willy Brandt and his follower Helmut Schmidt improved relations with the Soviet Union.

In 1970, the Moscow Treaty was signed, in which Germany renounced its claims to the eastern regions of the former German Empire, which were transferred to the USSR and Poland after the war. The document also declared the possibility of uniting the republics. This decision marked the beginning of the “new Eastern policy”. In 1971, the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic signed a Fundamental Treaty regulating their relationship.

In 1973, both republics joined the UN, despite the fact that Germany still did not want to recognize the international legal independence of the GDR. Nevertheless, the status quo of the Democratic Republic, enshrined in the Founding Treaty, contributed to a warming in relations between the “neighbors.”

"Peaceful Revolution"

In September 1989, the opposition movement “New Forum” arose in the GDR, partly consisting of members of political parties. The following month, a wave of protests swept across the republic, whose participants demanded the democratization of politics. As a result, the leadership of the SED resigned, and its place was taken by representatives of the disgruntled population. On November 4, a massive rally coordinated with the authorities took place in Berlin, the participants of which demanded respect for freedom of speech.

On November 9, citizens of the GDR received the right to freely (without good reason) travel abroad, which led to the spontaneous fall of the Berlin Wall. After the elections held in March 1990, the new government of the GDR began active negotiations with representatives of the Federal Republic of Germany about the prospect of unification.

German reunification

In August 1990, the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic signed an agreement on the unification of the country. It provided for the liquidation of the Democratic Republic and its entry into the Republic of Germany in the form of five new states. In parallel, the two parts of Berlin were reunited, and it again received the status of capital.

On September 12, 1990, representatives of the GDR, West Germany, USA, USSR, Great Britain and France signed an agreement that finally resolved the German issue. According to this document, an amendment was to be included in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany stating that after the re-establishment of the state, it would renounce claims to the remaining territories that once belonged to the German Empire.

In fact, in the process of unification (the Germans prefer to say “reunification” or “restoration of unity”), no new state was created. The lands of the former territory of the GDR were simply accepted into the Federal Republic of Germany. At the same moment, they began to obey the “temporary” constitution of the Republic of Germany, adopted back in 1949. The recreated state has since become known simply as Germany, but from a legal point of view it is not a new country, but an expanded Federal Republic.

State structure

Education October 7, 1949 German Democratic Republic was an act of national self-help by democratic forces Germany. This was their response to the split Germany, the expression of which was the creation of the Federal Republic on September 7, 1949, carried out contrary to the principles of the Potsdam Agreement accepted by the four great powers. Under these conditions, the proclamation of a peace-loving, democratic German state became a matter of vital importance for the German people.

While creating GDR it was about thwarting the attempts of the Western powers to transfer all Germany into the hands of the then resurgent German imperialism and provide the democratic forces Germany a solid state foundation. Therefore, state formation GDR relied on a broad popular movement that embraced all strata of our people.

GDR- a state in which the working class, in alliance with the class of cooperative peasants and other sections of the working people, exercises political power and leads the cause of socialism to victory. Workers are the masters of the economy and the state. They direct political and economic development in accordance with the will and interests of the majority of citizens. The most important means of production - factories, minerals, means of transport and large estates - belong to the people.

Workers and peasants exercise power through popular representatives, the government, government bodies, judicial bodies, police bodies, etc. Workers' and peasants' power is based on the forces of the National Democratic Front Germany, which nominates candidates for popular representation and maintains constant communication between the state apparatus and the population. In addition, citizens have broad rights that allow them to directly participate in government activities.

A prerequisite for victory in GDR Socialist and democratic forces saw the unity of the working class, which found its most vivid embodiment in the creation of united trade unions and, first of all, in the unification on April 21, 1946 of two parties of the working class - the Communist Party Germany and the Social Democratic Party Germany- to the Socialist United Party Germany.

German Democratic Republic- a sovereign state that decides independently, at its own discretion, its internal and external affairs and respects the rights of other states and generally recognized norms of international law. Thanks to the full participation of the population in solving all political and economic problems, thanks to the influence that the population has on legislation, government bodies and justice, in GDR for the first time in history Germany the people exercise their sovereign rights.

TERRITORY AND POPULATION

Territory German Democratic Republic is 107,834 square kilometers. In the north it is washed by the waters of the Baltic Sea; in the east, the Oder and Neisse rivers form the world's border with the Polish People's Republic. In the West GDR borders Western Germany; in the south the Ore Mountains connect GDR and the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. The length of the land borders is 456 kilometers in the east, 1,381 kilometers in the west and 430 kilometers in the south.

Elbe (1112 km) and Oder (861 km)- the longest rivers GDR. The highest mountain peaks are the Fichtelberg in the Ore Mountains (1243 l*) and the Brocken in the Harz (1142 l*). Southern and southeastern part GDR occupy medium-high altitude mountains, turning into a hilly foothill strip in the north and then into the North German Lowland. Numerous lakes located in the area Berlin and to the north of it, give the area a special flavor. Territory GDR covered by a dense modern network of roads and railways and cut through by inland waterways. At the same time, air traffic provided by the state organization Deutsche Luft-Hansa is becoming increasingly important.

IN GDR 17.3 million people live (as of December 31, 1959). The population density is cohabitants per square kilometer. Capital GDR is Berlin. In a democratic Berlin 1.1 million people live. Territory GDR divided into 14 districts: Potsdam, Frankfurt an der Oder and Cottbus in Brandenburg; Neubrandenburg, Rostock and Schwerin in Mecklenburg; Magdeburg and Halle in Saxony-Anhalt; Erfurt, Suhl and Gera in the state of Thuringia; Dresden, Leipzig and Karl-Marx-Stadt in Saxony. Districts unite 24 cities district subordination and 192 rural districts with 9556 communities. 213 communities have more than 10 thousand inhabitants each, and 11 cities - Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden, Karl-Marx-Stadt, Halle (Saale), Magdeburg, Erfurt, Rostock, Zwickau, Potsdam and Gera - have more than 100 thousand each. GDR- a highly developed socialist industrial country. The share of industry, trade and transport in the total volume of the aggregate social product is 90.1 percent, agriculture and forestry - 9.9 percent. 68 percent of all workers are employed in industry, trade and transport, and 18 percent in agriculture and forestry.

POLITICAL FRAMEWORK

What is the basis of the socialist system?

The socialist system means that the exploitation of man by man is eliminated and the working people themselves decide their own destiny. Monopolists and landowners were expropriated, their enterprises became the property of the people, and the land belonged to the peasants. Therefore, monopolists and landowners can no longer dictate what wages should be, what the length of the working day should be, who should be hired or who should be thrown out onto the street. The labor of millions of workers no longer serves to increase the personal wealth and power of individual monopolists. The results of labor are made available to the workers themselves and their society; the growth of production serves to increase personal and social wealth. Those who work are honored and respected, and work is also a measure of remuneration.

One of the decisive prerequisites of the socialist system is that the most important enterprises belong to the whole people and are led by representatives of the working class. In 1960, the share of people's enterprises in total industrial output GDR was 89.1 percent. In agriculture, cooperative production achieved a complete victory in 1960.

Such transformations are possible only in conditions when power is in the hands of the people. The leading role is played by the working class, led by its party - the SED. In popular representations, in the state apparatus, in judicial and economic bodies, in scientific, cultural and educational institutions, leading positions belong to representatives of the working class and peasantry, intelligentsia and other working strata.

This alignment of political forces guarantees systematic development, which is reflected in national economic plans covering all economic, political and cultural life. The plans, for example, establish what share of the income of people's enterprises is allocated to the construction of new industrial facilities, to raising the living standards of workers, to the construction of housing and cultural institutions, to social security, etc.

Of course, in a country with a socialist system, domestic and foreign policies are characterized by a desire for peace and the well-being of all people. Therefore, the People's Chamber, the State Council, the government GDR turned to West German government bodies with a number of proposals serving the cause of maintaining peace. However, as long as the monopolists profiting from the arms race and the instigators of the policy of aggression try to destroy this new socialist system, the socialist states will be forced to maintain armed forces equipped with excellent technology to protect their peoples.

Is the GDR a legitimate state?

GDR- not only the legitimate state, but also the only legitimate German state. This fact arises from many circumstances, rooted partly in history, partly in modernity. The most important circumstances are:

IN GDR the only correct conclusions have been drawn from the past. The arms manufacturers and junkers responsible for starting two world wars were expropriated. Along with them, the militarists also lost power. Since then, state power has been in the hands of workers and peasants, who have entered into a strong, reliable alliance with other working sections of the population. Here, therefore, the democratic principle “All state power comes from the people” was first implemented. The state is headed by political figures who - being workers themselves - spend their entire lives fighting for the interests of the working people.

The principles of the anti-Hitler coalition enshrined in the Potsdam Agreement, for the implementation of which millions of people in many countries of the world gave their lives in the fight against German militarism and fascism, became GDR reality. The struggle to preserve peace is the main content of politics GDR. This is evidenced, for example, by the address of the Chairman of the State Council GDR Walter Ulbricht to the government of the Federal Republic of Germany, December 18, 1960. In this appeal, the Bonn government was asked to reach an agreement with GDR about maintaining peace initially for 10 years. This would create the preconditions for peaceful reunification and for pursuing a peaceful policy of a united Germany. So thanks to his peaceful policy GDR instills confidence in every German that it is a reliable stronghold< мирного будущего для него и его детей. Уже одно это делает GDR the only legitimate German state. Legality GDR is also expressed in its sovereignty. The republic resolves all its internal and external issues independently, without outside interference. In the territory GDR there are no occupying forces, while in Western Germany they have extremely broad rights. Participation in the Warsaw Pact does not in any way affect sovereignty GDR. Therefore, the republic was able to make 150 proposals aimed at peaceful reunification Germany. And the West German government is prohibited by the Bonn and Paris agreements from any independent actions regarding reunification. That's why GDR- the only German state that has a real reunification program and pursues a national policy.

Development GDR corresponds to the democratic principles of international law, and its policies comply with the UN Charter.

Chairman of the State Council GDR Walter Ulbricht noted in a policy statement of the State Council made in the People's Chamber on October 4, 1960:

"He who doubts the legitimacy GDR, also doubts the legitimacy of the people’s struggle against the bloody regime of Hitler’s fascism, the policy of which is continued by the anti-democratic state of Western Germany».

The situation is different with the Federal Republic, whose government claims to be the only legitimate state. But how can a state in which the dark past has come to life again be considered legitimate? Germany and in which international law is violated?

The same forces that once supported the Hitler regime are now located in Western Germany economic power, which increased even more during this time. They once again dominate the state apparatus, using figures such as Strauss and Schröder as proxies. Over a thousand members of Hitler's emergency and military courts are in charge of the justice authorities, the Bundeswehr is headed by 140 Hitlerite generals, command posts in the police are occupied by SS and Gestapo thugs. The old, outdated rules again in Western Germany. Therefore, basic rights are violated, democratic parties and organizations are prohibited. The population, contrary to the constitution, is deprived of the right to express their opinion on such vital issues as universal conscription, equipping the Bundeswehr with atomic weapons, etc. National polls on these issues were prohibited. ^

International legal principles of the Potsdam Agreement on peaceful, anti-militarist development Germany betrayed in Western Germany oblivion; the liquidation of monopolies, agricultural, administrative, judicial, school reforms, reform in the field of culture were not put on the agenda at all or were sabotaged at the first attempt to carry them out.

The purge of the West German state apparatus from Brown Shirts is being sabotaged. Revanchism flourished in full bloom. The leadership pursues the same aggressive goals as Wilhelm II and Hitler. At present, the policy of the German government is entirely subordinated to plans for atomic weapons, which threaten the lives of the German people and the peoples of Europe.

The Bonn government chose the atomic weapons of the Bundeswehr over peace and security. By concluding the so-called “General Agreement”, it thereby transferred the matter of reunification to Germany into the hands of the Western powers. Now it openly seeks to seize GDR. For this reason, it rejected all proposals GDR to ease tensions and peaceful reunification. West German citizens wishing to exercise their right to self-determination and advocating peace and reunification Germany on democratic principles, are persecuted and thrown into prison. Thus, Western Germany- a state that threatens the lives of the people and betrays national interests cannot claim to be considered legitimate.

Is there only one party in the GDR?

IN GDR there are five parties, namely: Socialist Unity Party Germany(SED), Peasant Democratic Party Germany(CMR), Liberal Democratic Party Germany(LDPD), Christian Democratic Union Germany(CDSG), National Democratic Party Germany(NDPG).

Individual parties represent the interests of certain classes or segments of the population. The SED is a party of the working class. The CMR represents primarily the interests of cooperative peasants. Christians who advocate peace and progress are united mainly in the HDSG. The LDPD consists of members of craft production cooperatives and progressive representatives of the petty and middle bourgeoisie.

The NPD also appeals to various circles of the middle class and to former military personnel who have broken with their past.

Why is the SED the leading party?

The SED is a party of the working class, the class that creates the largest part of the material values ​​necessary for life. As the party of the largest, most progressive and most consistent class in the struggle for peace and democracy, it has a leading role in political life GDR. And in terms of the number of its members and supporters, it is the most powerful party. Along with the workers, who make up the overwhelming majority of SED members, this party includes representatives of all other sections of the working people. Members of this party lead many decisive sectors in the state, economic and cultural fields.

Unlike the major West German parties, the SED carried out its 1946 program. Under her leadership, the working class, peasantry, intelligentsia and other sections of the working people made the greatest revolution in history Germany- transition from capitalism to socialism. Major economic, social and cultural reforms in GDR were mainly carried out on her initiative. At the suggestion of the SED, the most important measures in economic, cultural and social construction were carried out GDR. The SED has developed, for example, projects for successfully completed five-year plans and the current seven-year plan, proposals for the further democratization of public life and for the systematic raising of the living standards of the population.

At the Fifth Congress of the SED in July 1958, the directives of the seven-year plan were presented to the public. The implementation of this plan will prove the superiority of the socialist economic system GDR over the monopoly-capitalist system of Western Germany. Even today there is no doubt that by fulfilling this plan, the working people will ensure the victory of the cause of socialism in GDR.

As a Marxist party, the SED personifies the best traditions of the German working class, systematically implementing the old testaments of the socialist labor movement. Under her leadership, as well as with the participation of the other four parties, trade unions and other mass organizations in GDR Socialism is being built. At the same time, the policy of the SED is aimed at involving all layers of workers and private entrepreneurs in the cause of socialist construction through persuasion and demonstration of successes. As a result, every citizen GDR sees a reliable prospect in socialism.

The SED is also the party that has put forward numerous important proposals aimed at general controlled disarmament, the conclusion of a peace treaty with both German states and reunification Germany in peaceful way.

The remaining parties and organizations recognize the leading role of the working class party and, being independent, independent organizations, closely cooperate with it.

Were parties banned in the GDR?

No in GDR not a single party was banned. On the contrary, the SPD, whose activities were authorized in 1945 in the then Soviet zone of occupation, decided to merge with the KPD after a democratic vote of its members. The KPD also made a similar decision to unite with the SPD. Thus, the working class learned from the past the lesson that the threat of fascism and militarism can be eliminated and a new socialist system can be created only if the workers act in unity.

Since the unification congress held in April 1946, GDR there is a Socialist Unity Party Germany as a united party of the working class. IN Berlin The full unification of the KPD and SPD was prevented by the right-wing leadership of the SPD, which acted at the behest of the imperialist occupying powers against the will of the SPD members. - The overwhelming majority of SPD members spoke in favor of cooperation or unification of the two working class parties. Therefore, the SED and SPD exist in both parts of the divided capital and have in all areas of the Greater Berlin their boards *.

Of course, the creation of militaristic and fascist organizations opposing the peaceful coexistence of peoples, in GDR forbidden.

What should be understood by the policy of the Democratic Bloc?

The policy of the Democratic Bloc means the joint solution of common problems with the participation of all peace-loving and democratic forces GDR. It is an expression of the cooperation of all segments of the population under the leadership of the working class in the construction of socialism in GDR, in solving the national problems of the German people.

The Democratic Bloc was created on July 14, 1945 by the decision of the parties that existed in the then Soviet zone of occupation: the KPD, SPD, CDU and LDPG. Subsequently founded parties and the most important political organizations joined the bloc, so that now it includes: Socialist United Nation Germany(SED), Christian Democratic Union Germany(CDSG), Liberal Democratic Party Germany(LDPD), Peasant Democratic Party Germany(CMR), National Democratic Party Germany(NDPG), the Association of Free German Trade Unions (FGTU), the Union of Free German Youth (FGY) and the Democratic Women's Union Germany(JSG).

The unification was dictated by the desire to overcome

Let go of the fragmentation of democratic forces, which had such fatal consequences for Germany in 1933. On the other hand, it was necessary to solve the difficult problems of the post-war period. Over the past period of time, this union of parties and organizations has so far justified itself that it now belongs to the most important political institutions. GDR and has an ever-increasing influence in all areas of the life of the state.

The bloc meets before all major decisions of the government or the People's Chamber on issues of domestic and foreign policy and discusses their future policies. Decision making is based on the principle of unanimity. This means that the discussion of all issues continues until agreement is reached on the fundamental provisions. This ensures the participation of all politically active forces in joint creative activities. The pinnacle of the Democratic Bloc's activities was the creation of the State Council German Democratic Republic in September 1960.

What is the National Front for Democratic Germany?

National Democratic Front Germany is a broad movement, not associated with any one party, covering the entire Germany. It unites in its ranks citizens of Eastern and Western Germany, representatives of all segments of the population, regardless of their worldview, members of a wide variety of parties and organizations whose goal is the reunification Germany on a peaceful, democratic basis. Since such goals contradict the intentions of the ruling circles of the Federal Republic of Germany, the federal government and the governments of the Western states Germany this movement was banned. Supporters of the National Front were and are being persecuted by the judicial authorities of the western zone.

The National Front has existed since January 1950: it arose - with a simultaneous expansion of tasks - on the basis of the then people's committees of the struggle for unity Germany and a fair peace treaty. The governing bodies of the National Front are

The National Council, re-elected in 1958 by the Third Congress of the National Front, and the Presidium of the National Council. The Chairman of the Presidium was once again National Prize winner Professor Dr. Erich Correns.

The National Front is not an organization, but a movement of patriotic forces; it does not keep records of members and does not accept membership fees. Its activities are financed by donations from the public. In the territory GDR There are 15 district, 219 district and about 17 thousand local, city, district, block and village committees of the National Front, in which citizens of all segments of the population are represented. In the election committees of the National Front in GDR Currently, about 300 thousand people work.

In Western Germany The activities of the National Front, despite the illegal ban, extend to a wide variety of segments of the population. This is evidenced, in particular, by the participation in meetings of the National Council of such prominent political figures of Western Germany, as Münstersknilprofessor Dr. Hagemann (former member of the CDU), members of the Landtags from SDG1G Scheperkötter (North Rhine-Westphalia) and Berg (Hamburg).

What are the goals of the National Front?

The National Front stands for the conclusion of a peace treaty with the two German states, the peaceful reunification of our fatherland and for the democratic development of the whole Germany. The appeal of the National Front in connection with the elections to the People's Chamber and district assemblies of deputies held on November 16, 1958 (the appeal was adopted by the Third Congress of the National Front in September 1958) said:

"National Front for Democratic Germany calls on you, citizens German Democratic Republic, to the struggle for national revival Germany as a peace-loving, democratic state."

Thus, the National Front introduces the population of both parts Germany with the problems of disarmament, peace treaty and reunification. He supports the actions of the West German population against remilitarization, fascisation and atomic weapons.

IN GDR The National Front supports the construction of socialism, because it sees the goal of its activities as ensuring that the working people live in conditions of peace and prosperity. In order for the construction of socialism to develop even more successfully, the National Front calls for voluntary assistance in this matter. Thus, the ruins of neighborhoods destroyed by air raids during the Second World War have been cleared, green spaces are being planted, sports fields, outdoor swimming pools, children's playgrounds, etc. are being built.

In 1960, the National Front carried out work worth more than 447 million marks. If the total cost of the work performed is divided by the entire working population (from the age of 15, including pensioners), then for each person there will be 32.64 marks. This is the voluntary contribution of the population to the construction of capital construction projects. If we take into account all the voluntary assistance provided to agriculture and industry, it turns out that 157 million hours were worked voluntarily.

Of particular importance is the fact that the National Front plays an important role in holding elections to the People's Chamber and local people's representatives. Together with a bloc of democratic parties and organizations, it nominates candidates for deputies, holds meetings at which candidates for deputies meet with voters, and deputies and administrative staff report. He organizes discussion evenings at which the population expresses their opinions and makes proposals on planned events of the People's Chamber and the government. Thus, in 1956, more than 4.5 million citizens took part in the discussion of the draft law on further democratization (Law on Local Government Bodies of January 18, 1957). GDR, who made 10 thousand proposals to improve the work of government bodies. These figures were significantly exceeded during the discussion of the draft new labor code, held at the end of 1960 - beginning of 1961, mainly through trade unions.

How carried out the right of the population to participate in government state and the economy?

Population GDR enjoys not only broad rights to participate in the management of all areas of public life, but also the right to active participation in the management of the state and the economy. IN GDR The slogan is being put into practice: “Plan, work, manage together with everyone else.” Citizens can exert a decisive influence on the development of all social life through parties, trade unions and other organizations in which they belong, as well as through the National Front for Democratic Germany. There, at meetings and discussions, for example, important government bills are discussed. In particular, the draft law on the socialist development of school affairs and the draft Labor Code were subject to such discussion. This means that citizens can express their opinions and make proposals to change the projects under discussion, thereby influencing the final wording of laws.

The most important form of participation in government is popular representation. The People's Chamber has 466 deputies. Local people's representative offices employ 270 thousand citizens who are deputies or deputy deputies. Consequently, every fiftieth citizen who enjoys the right to vote takes a direct part in governing the state. As representatives of the entire population, deputies bring up their wishes and wishes for discussion proposals of voters. Each voter can contact his deputy and, with his help, influence state and administrative bodies.

Workers and employees of national enterprises take an active part in the management of production. An important form of their participation in enterprise management is permanent production meetings as elected bodies of the factory trade union organization. They actively participate in the development of production plans and monitoring their implementation, express critical comments regarding the organization of production and present proposals aimed at achieving the highest production performance. Such real participation of workers in the management of enterprises could have developed due to the fact that, under conditions of national ownership, there is no antagonism between the interests of the enterprise administration and the interests of workers and employees.

Can citizens of the GDR express their opinions openly and freely?

The right to freely express their opinions is guaranteed to all citizens in accordance with Article 9 of the Constitution GDR. This article categorically prohibits prosecution of citizens for exercising such a right. IN GDR Therefore, it is unthinkable that a citizen who criticizes, for example, the work of his boss or minister, reveals certain shortcomings in the work of an institution or management, etc., would lose his place or even be arrested. Moreover, openly expressing an opinion about existing shortcomings is not only the right, but also the duty of citizens. For only in this way can we reveal shortcomings and quickly eliminate difficulties, and thereby speed up socialist construction. In this case, it does not matter what a citizen is guided by when expressing and defending his opinion - Christian responsibility, liberal views or a Marxist worldview. All citizens have the opportunity to assemble for this purpose.

There is only one limitation: the opinions expressed and meetings held must serve the cause of peace and democracy. Incitement against a democratic state and its institutions, incitement to murder of political figures and other persons, manifestation of religious, racial and national hatred are prohibited by Article 6 of the Constitution.

The population is protected from militaristic and military propaganda by the Peace Protection Law. It is impossible for revanchists, militarists and SS men to gather and demand the establishment of a “new order” in Europe, as is the case in Germany. Such persons in GDR would be immediately arrested and punished by law.

CHAMBER OF THE PEOPLE

Does the House of the People have all the rights of a sovereign organ of popular representation?

The highest state body of the Republic is the People's Chamber. Its deputies are elected by citizens through universal, equal and direct elections by secret ballot.

Of all government bodies, the People's Chamber has the most broad and comprehensive rights. No other body has the right to give instructions to this highest body of popular representation or interfere with its activities. Moreover, for all other government bodies, the decisions of the People's Chamber are binding. All other bodies are subject to control by the People's Chamber.

IN GDR there is no so-called separation of powers, which places the judicial or administrative bodies outside the control of the parliament elected by the population. No court has the right to review the laws of the People's Chamber, as is the case with the laws of the Bundestag in Western Europe. Germany. The House of the People is sovereign.

The competence of the People's Chamber includes a wide variety of tasks. Thus, the People's Chamber has the right to: establish the principles of government policy; approve the composition of the government, control its activities and, if necessary, deny it powers;

exercise supervision over local people's representatives and direct their activities; legislate;

make decisions on the state budget, national economic plan, loans and state credit of the Republic, ratify international treaties;

elect members of the State Council and, if necessary, recall them;

elect members of the Supreme Court and the Prosecutor General and, if necessary, recall them.

Thus, this parliament chosen by the people has the most extensive rights ever

in history Germany was vested in Parliament. The People's Chamber represents a unified state power.

How does the People's Chamber work?

The People's Chamber makes all important decisions at its plenary sessions. To prepare these decisions and to better organize its work, the People's Chamber forms commissions. These commissions, however, do not have the right to act independently, replacing the plenum of the People's Chamber. Their decisions need to be approved at a plenary meeting of the People's Chamber.

Legislative activity is consistent with democratic character GDR. Bills can be introduced by the government or deputies of the People's Chamber. As a rule, two readings are held, between which the bill is discussed in the relevant sectoral commissions of the People's Chamber. Often, before its adoption by the People's Chamber, a bill is discussed at thousands of public meetings, as was the case in the spring of 1961 when discussing the draft Labor Code. At the same time, all proposals for the bill made by citizens are carefully considered and, of course, if they are useful, taken into account.

This allows us to understand why the broad legislative activity of the House of the People expresses the interests of the population and is an example for a future peaceful, democratic, united state. Germany. Thus, in particular, laws were adopted that, reflecting changing economic and political conditions, expand the democratic rights of citizens. These include, first of all, the Labor Code, which guarantees the right to work, the right to the creative participation of workers in the management of production and provides for the constant improvement of the material and cultural living conditions of workers and employees. Back on January 19, 1957, the People's Chamber adopted the Law on the Reduction of Working Time, which introduced a 45-hour work week throughout industry without a reduction in wages. Other important decisions of the People's Chamber are: the Law on the Rights of Youth, the Law on the Protection of Mother and Child and on Women's Rights, guaranteeing full equality of women in all areas of public life, and, last but not least, the Law on the Protection of Peace.

Of the international treaties ratified in recent years by the People's Chamber, the Warsaw Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance of May 14, 1955, on the basis of which all socialist countries guarantee security, should be mentioned first of all. GDR against aggression. A number of agreements on the provision of legal assistance, as well as consular conventions, have been concluded with various countries. Recently, numerous trade and shipping agreements have been concluded, in particular with the People's Republic of Bulgaria, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, the People's Republic of China, and a social security cooperation agreement with the USSR.

At any period of its existence, the People's Chamber was aware of its national responsibility. Time and again she addressed the West German Bundestag with proposals aimed at eliminating the split Germany. On July 6, 1961, the People's Chamber discussed the peace plan of the German people, aimed at a peaceful solution to the German and West Berlin issue through the conclusion of a peace treaty. After its adoption by the People's Chamber, it became the basis of national policy GDR. However, all these efforts undertaken in the interests of reunification Germany, did not meet with support from Bonn.

Does the People's Chamber exist?

division into government and opposition parties?

All five parties existing in GDR, and politically influential mass organizations are represented in government GDR and are therefore government parties. This provision is legally enshrined in the Constitution, which establishes that all political associations represented in the People's Chamber by at least 10 percent of deputies must share the responsibility of the government. Therefore, the central place in the activities of the government is occupied by a serious business conversation between all responsible factions. Joint discussion, which does not exclude criticism and the struggle of opinions when opposing points of view are brought together, forms the basis of their work. This method is in the best interests of the business and, therefore, the population. Therefore, in the People's Chamber, as in the parliaments of imperialist states, there are no ostentatious political battles designed to fool the ordinary voter.

It goes without saying that the VL parties are united by a common political goal. For GDR such a common goal was formulated in the decisions of the bloc of democratic parties and mass organizations (see pp. 17 et seq.), in which, after 1945, all anti-fascist, democratic parties and organizations united. In subsequent years, such cooperation, serving the benefit of the population GDR, justified itself in the best possible way. It is based on: a policy of peace, rapid economic growth, constant improvement of the financial situation and, last but not least, numerous proposals aimed at peaceful reunification Germany. The establishment of a socialist social system that guarantees people prosperity, peace and faith in the future is the common goal of all parties GDR.

Only imperialist and militaristic forces could act as opposition to this progressive policy, which meets the interests of the people, but with them in GDR it's over. Their ideas of preparation for war, criminal incitement, etc., are devoid of nutritious soil in GDR.

How are elections held in the GDR?

Deputies of the People's Chamber and local people's representatives are elected, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, through general, equal and direct elections by secret ballot for a period of 4 years. All citizens over 18 years of age have the right to vote. Every citizen who has reached the age of 21 has the right to be elected.

It is important to emphasize that the nomination of candidates for deputies already takes place with the decisive participation of voters. At first, democratic parties and mass organizations united on the basis of a jointly developed program in the National Democratic Front Germany, identify candidates for deputies from all parties and mass organizations. Candidates are required to personally meet with their voters and tell them about their past activities and their future work as deputies. At the same time, voters have the right to ask questions to parliamentary candidates and reject those candidates whom they do not trust.

Such nomination and verification of candidates for deputies by voters is a fundamentally new phenomenon in the development of German electoral law. Voters, therefore, no longer cast their votes for candidates proposed to them, who in most cases are unknown persons, but decide for themselves who will remain on the lists of parliamentary candidates. This method ensures that deputies in GDR are true representatives of the people.

The elections themselves are held on democratic principles. Each voter votes secretly. However, such a casting of votes on election day has a completely different meaning than, for example, in bourgeois-capitalist countries. It represents the completion of a long democratic election process, with the approval by the voter of a list of parliamentary candidates whom he had previously vetted and approved.

The next elections to the People's Chamber took place on November 16, 1958. The election results showed that citizens GDR the overwhelming majority accepted the programmatic demands of the National Front as their own. 98.89 percent of the total number of voters participated in the elections. Of these, for candidates for parliament from the National Democratic Front Germany 98.87 percent cast their votes.

To whom are deputies responsible?

Since the deputies GDR are elected by the people, they are obliged to carry out the will of their voters and are directly responsible only to them. It follows that they must maintain constant and close communication with their constituents in order to know their opinions, explain to them the policies and laws of the state and involve them in active participation in solving public problems.

Deputies are obliged to regularly receive voters, listen to them, and quickly and conscientiously consider their orders and advice. They must also report periodically to the citizens of their constituency on all their activities. When reporting, they must, in particular, report on the implementation of the orders of voters and on the fate of the proposals and complaints of the population. Therefore, in GDR It is unacceptable for deputies to make empty promises before their election that they will not fulfill later. Voters can constantly monitor their MPs. Having discovered that the representative they have elected does not justify the trust placed in him or does not fulfill his deputy duties, they can demand his recall at a meeting of voters.

Who is included in the People's Chamber?

The People's Chamber consists of 466 deputies. 400 deputies are elected in constituencies GDR. Capital GDR, Berlin, sends 66 deputies to the People's Chamber.

At its first meeting, the People's Chamber elects a presidium, which, headed by its chairman, presides over the meetings of the People's Chamber.

The Chairman of the People's Chamber is Dr. Johannes Dieckmann (LDPD). His first deputy is Hermann Matern (SED). The Presidium of the People's Chamber includes, furthermore, as Deputy Presidents of the People's Chamber: August Bach (CDSG), Friedrich Ebert (SED), Ernst Golldenbaum (CDM), Greta Gro-Kummerlöw (OSNP), Heinrich Homann (NDPD), Wilhelmina Schirmer-Pröscher (JSG).

Members of the People's Chamber are not professional parliamentarians. They all work in one position or another. To exercise their rights and duties as elected representatives of the people, deputies have the necessary time, which is provided to them by the relevant enterprises and institutions.

The composition of the People's Chamber according to the affiliation of deputies to parties or mass organizations, according to their social origin, age groups and gender is as follows (as of January 1959):

Faction affiliation

52 German Kulturbund

Social background

53 29 29 18 12

SED LDPG CDSG NPD CMR

Workers 286 Peasants 36 Employees 57 Representatives of the intelligentsia 41

Craftsmen

Priests

Entrepreneurs

42 2 2

Up to 25 years old From 26 to 30 years old From 31 to 40 years old

Age groups

22 From 41 to 50 years 27 From 51 to 60 years 117 Over 60 years

There are 95 women among the deputies of the People's Chamber, that is, almost a quarter of the total number of elected people. The number of young deputies representing youth interests is also higher than in any capitalist country.

The composition of the People's Chamber indicates that in the German Democratic Republic state power - in contrast to the Western Germany- is in the hands of the working class, acting in alliance with the peasantry and other sections of the working people.

STATE COUNCIL AND GOVERNMENT

Why was the State Council created in the GDR?

The establishment of the State Council is a completely new phenomenon for Germany. As the first president of the German workers' and peasants' state until

Until his death, there was the respected Wilhelm Pieck, who headed the state of workers and peasants - the German Democratic Republic.

Since the entry into force of the constitution in 1949, the territory GDR fundamental changes have occurred. During this time, the republic turned into a socialist state. The principles of governing a socialist state are different from those of bourgeois states. One of these principles reads: >to build socialism together and govern the state together. In other words, representatives of various parties and mass organizations - workers, employees, peasants, intellectuals and artisans, Christians, liberals and socialists - cooperate in a spirit of unanimity at all levels of government. With the election of the State Council, this principle also extended to the highest body of state power. Members of all parties and mass organizations, representatives of all segments of the population work in it with a full consciousness of responsibility.

The creation of the State Council was also dictated by another consideration - the need to introduce the principle of collective leadership. Everywhere in government bodies and institutions, leadership should be carried out by boards, taking into account the responsibility of each individual person. The collective knowledge and experience of several individuals allows the best decision to be made, taking into account all the circumstances of the case. A group of people knows and sees more than one person. The principle of collegiality has been applied in all areas of public life for a number of years. That is why the People's Chamber, at its meeting on September 12, 1960, decided to abolish the post of president of the republic and create a State Council.

Are the powers of the State Council only of a representative nature?

The principle of collective leadership of the state was consistent with the provision to the State Council GDR broader powers than the usual functions of representation vested in the president.

Article 106 of the Constitution, as laid down in the Law establishing the Council of State of September 12, 1960,

sets:

“The State Council of the Republic calls elections to the People's Chamber and convenes its first meeting after the elections;

may conduct a national poll; ratifies and denounces international treaties German Democratic Republic;

appoints and recalls authorized representatives German Democratic Republic in foreign countries;

accepts credentials and letters of recall from diplomatic representatives of foreign states accredited to him;

provides a generally binding interpretation of laws; issues decisions that have the force of law; makes fundamental decisions on issues of defense and security of the country;

approves the fundamental orders of the National Defense Council German Democratic Republic;

appoints members of the National Defense Council German Democratic Republic;

establishes military ranks, diplomatic ranks and special ranks;

awards orders and other high awards and honorary titles; exercises the right of pardon." State Council GDR has the right to make important political decisions, for which he, however, is obliged at any time to report to the People's Chamber as the highest body of popular representation.

Who is on the State Council?

The State Council consists of 24 people. It consists of a chairman, six deputies, 16 members and a secretary.

Chairman - Walter Ulbricht, First Secretary of the Socialist Unity Party Germany. Deputy Chairmen:

Otto Grotewohl, Chairman of the Council of Ministers German Democratic Republic, member of the Politburo of the SED Central Committee;

Dr. Johannes Diekmann, Chairman of the People's Chamber, Deputy Chairman of the LDPD;

Gerald Götting, Member of the People's Chamber, Secretary General of the HDSG;

Heinrich Homan, Deputy Chairman of the People's Chamber, Deputy Chairman of the NPD;

Manfred Gerlach, Member of the People's Chamber, Secretary General of the LDPD;

Hans Ritz, member of the People's Chamber, head of the main department of the CMR board.

Among the members of the State Council are the famous worker Louise Ermisch, the leading peasant woman, member of the agricultural industrial complex Irmgard Neumann and the famous scientist Professor Dr. Erich Correns. So the State Council GDR represents the cohesion and growing moral and political unity of our population. Members of the State Council are elected for a term of 4 years. The Chairman, his deputies, members and the Secretary of the State Council may be recalled by the People's Chamber to which they are accountable. And this provision, enshrined in law, is another evidence that the highest body of people's representation is the main body of state power, vested with extensive powers.

Is the government elected by parliament?

Yes. According to the Constitution, the largest faction in the House of the People nominates a candidate for the post of chairman of the Council of Ministers, which then forms the government. The People's Chamber approves the composition of the government. Members of the government take an oath to the Chairman of the Council of State that they will act in accordance with the Constitution. The government must enjoy the trust of the People's Chamber, to which it is accountable. In accordance with democratic principles, the People's Chamber can refuse confidence in a minister or several members of the government - and not just the chancellor, as in Germany - and force them to resign.

In order to ensure the participation of all democratic forces of various political trends in the management of state affairs, all factions of the House of the People, numbering at least 40 members, must, according to the Constitution GDR, are represented in the government in proportion to their number by ministers or secretaries of state.

Who is in the government?

The government includes: the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, his deputies, the Chairman of the State Planning Commission, the Chairman of the National Economy Council, ministers, the State Secretary for Higher and Special Education, the State Secretary for Scientific Research and Technology and the Chairman of the Central Commission for State Control.

In accordance with the nature of the State, the Government consists of representatives of the workers. All parties are represented in it GDR. Most government members come from working class backgrounds. Other layers exercising power in alliance with the working class are also represented in the government. Government composition GDR reflects the entire set of parties and organizations represented in the National Democratic Front Germany.

The government includes figures such as the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Otto Grotewohl. A printer by profession, he participated in the labor movement for many years and was a member of the Reichstag from the Social Democratic Party. After 1933, while underground, he fought against fascism, and after 1945, as chairman of the Central Board of the Social Democratic Party, he actively advocated the unification of the two parties of the working class.

Paul Scholz, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers, was a former agricultural worker. He was arrested for his underground anti-fascist activities. After 1945, he worked as deputy editor-in-chief of the newspaper Der Freie Bauer. In 1948 he participated in the creation of the Peasant Democratic Party Germany.

Here is the current composition of the Council of Ministers GDR:

Chairman of the Council of Ministers Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers for Coordination and Control Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Health Deputy Chairman of the Council

Ministers Deputy Chairman of the Council

Ministers Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers for Coordination of Fundamental Issues of the National Economy Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers for Trade, Supply and Agriculture Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers for Culture and Education Chairman of the State Planning Commission and Minister Chairman of the People's Council

Economy and Minister Minister of the Interior Minister of Finance Minister of National Defense

Minister of Foreign and Internal Affairs

Mansk Trade Minister of Trade and Supply Minister of Agriculture and Forestry

Economy and Procurement Minister of Transport Minister of Post and Communications Minister of Construction

Otto Grotewohl

Willy Stoff

^.Max Zefrin Dr. Max Zurbier Paul Scholz

Dr. Lothar Boltz Bruno Leuschner

Dr. Greta Witkowski

Alexander Abush

Karl Mevis

Alfred Neumann Karl Marohn Willy Rumpf Army General Heinz Hoffmann

Julius Balkow Kurt-Heinz Merkel

Hans Reichelt Erwin Kramer Friedrich Burmeister Ernst Scholz

Minister of Culture

Minister of Public Education

Minister of Justice Minister of State Security

Stats -Secretary for Higher and Special Education Affairs State Secretary for Scientific Research and Technology (Secretary of the Research Council) Chairman of the Central Commission for State Control

Hans Bentzius Prof. Dr. Alfred Lemnitz

Dr. Hilda Benyamipe

Erich Mielke Dr. Wilhelm Girnus

prof. Dr. Hans Fruauf

Hans Jendrecki

How are the tasks of the governments of the two German states different?

Tasks of the Council of Ministers (i.e. government) GDR more extensive and versatile compared to the tasks of the Bonn government. He is the highest level of government GDR. He is charged with the responsibility of conducting government affairs. The Council of Ministers, on the basis of and in execution of laws and decisions of the People's Chamber and decisions of the State Council, manages the work of socialist construction in the political sphere; economic and cultural areas. It directs, checks and improves the activities of government bodies, ensuring a harmonious combination of central planning and leadership with the broadest participation of workers in the management of the state and the economy. The Council of Ministers represents the Republic in the field of diplomatic relations with foreign states. It ensures the maintenance of peace and order within the country and the protection of the socialist achievements of the working people from the attacks of internal and external enemies. For this purpose, it has at its disposal the People's Police, the State Security Organs and the National People's Army.

In accordance with the peace policy pursued by GDR, the Council of Ministers is primarily entrusted with the task of ensuring the peace and future of the nation. Therefore, he has already repeatedly addressed the West German government with numerous proposals regarding negotiations on issues of disarmament, reunification Germany and the conclusion of a peace treaty. Bonn rejected all these proposals.

Of particular importance are the tasks of the Council of Ministers in the economic, cultural and social fields, which are fundamentally different from the functions of previous governments in Germany and the Bonn* government. The socialist state carries out planning and management of the entire national economy and development in the cultural and social fields. It became for the government GDR possible because the main means of production are in the hands of the people.

Based on the national economic plan adopted by the People's Chamber, the Council of Ministers outlines specific measures for the development of the economy, culture and social security and determines the general line in raising the living standards of the population. For this purpose, it has at its disposal the State Planning Commission, the National Economic Council, ministries and other economic, cultural and social institutions.

Dear users! Please do not forget, when copying any materials from this site, to leave an active hyperlink to the copied materials from this site.

According to the Constitution, the Council of Ministers has the right to submit bills to the People's Chamber. In addition, the Council of Ministers itself can issue resolutions that do not go beyond the laws and decisions of the People's Chamber.

New regulations on the tasks and operating procedures of local people's representatives and their bodies, developed as a result of a comprehensive exchange of experience with all segments of the population and government bodies and adopted on June 28, 1961, consolidate the best methods of public administration. The activities of all local bodies are now developing on their basis.

The German Democratic Republic, or GDR for short, is a country located in the Center of Europe and has been marked on maps for exactly 41 years. This is the westernmost country of the socialist camp that existed at that time, formed in 1949 and became part of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1990.

German Democratic Republic

In the north, the border of the GDR ran along the Baltic Sea; on land it bordered the Federal Republic of Germany, Czechoslovakia and Poland. Its area was 108 thousand square kilometers. The population was 17 million people. The capital of the country was East Berlin. The entire territory of the GDR was divided into 15 districts. In the center of the country was the territory of West Berlin.

Location of the GDR

The small territory of the GDR had sea, mountains and plains. The north was washed by the Baltic Sea, which forms several bays and shallow lagoons. They are connected to the sea through straits. She owned the islands, the largest of which were Rügen, Usedom and Pel. There are many rivers in the country. The largest are the Oder, Elbe, their tributaries Havel, Spree, Saale, as well as the Main, a tributary of the Rhine. Of the many lakes, the largest are Müritz, Schweriner See, and Plauer See.

In the south, the country was framed by low mountains, significantly indented by rivers: from the west the Harz, from the south-west the Thuringian Forest, from the south the Ore Mountains with the highest peak Fichtelberg (1212 meters). The north of the territory of the GDR was located on the Central European Plain, to the south lay the plain of the Macklenburg Lake District. To the south of Berlin lies a strip of sandy plains.

East Berlin

It was practically restored from scratch. The city was divided into occupation zones. After the creation of the Federal Republic of Germany, its eastern part became part of the GDR, and the western part was an enclave, surrounded on all sides by the territory of East Germany. According to the constitution of Berlin (West), the land on which it was located belonged to the Federal Republic of Germany. The capital of the GDR was a major center of science and culture in the country.

The Academies of Sciences and Arts and many higher educational institutions were located here. Concert halls and theaters have hosted outstanding musicians and artists from all over the world. Many parks and alleys served as decoration for the capital of the GDR. Sports facilities were built in the city: stadiums, swimming pools, courts, and competition grounds. The most famous park for residents of the USSR was Treptow Park, in which a monument to the liberating soldier was erected.

Big cities

The majority of the country's population were urban residents. In a small country, there were several cities whose population exceeded half a million people. Large cities of the former German Democratic Republic, as a rule, had a fairly ancient history. These are the cultural and economic centers of the country. The largest cities include Berlin, Dresden, Leipzig. The cities of East Germany were heavily destroyed. But Berlin suffered the most, where fighting took place literally for every house.

The largest cities were located in the south of the country: Karl-Marx-Stadt (Meissen), Dresden and Leipzig. Every city in the GDR was famous for something. Rostock, located in northern Germany, is a modern port city. World-famous porcelain was produced in Karl-Marx-Stadt (Meissen). In Jena there was the famous Carl Zeiss plant, which produced lenses, including for telescopes, and famous binoculars and microscopes were produced here. This city was also famous for its universities and scientific institutions. This is a city of students. Schiller and Goette once lived in Weimar.

Karl-Marx-Stadt (1953-1990)

This city, founded in the 12th century in the state of Saxony, now bears its original name - Chemnitz. It is the center of textile engineering and textile industry, machine tool manufacturing and mechanical engineering. The city was completely destroyed by British and American bombers and rebuilt after the war. Small islands of ancient buildings remain.

Leipzig

The city of Leipzig, located in the state of Saxony, was one of the largest cities in the German Democratic Republic before the unification of the GDR and the Federal Republic of Germany. 32 kilometers from it is another large city in Germany - Halle, which is located in the state of Saxony-Anhalt. Together, the two cities form an urban agglomeration with a population of 1,100 thousand people.

The city has long been the cultural and scientific center of Central Germany. It is famous for its universities as well as fairs. Leipzig is one of the most developed industrial areas in East Germany. Since the late Middle Ages, Leipzig has been a recognized center of printing and bookselling in Germany.

The greatest composer Johann Sebastian Bach, as well as the famous Felix Mendelssohn, lived and worked in this city. The city is still famous today for its musical traditions. Since ancient times, Leipzig has been a major trading center; until the last war, famous fur trades took place here.

Dresden

A pearl among German cities is Dresden. The Germans themselves call it Florence on the Elbe, as there are many Baroque architectural monuments here. The first mention of it was recorded in 1206. Dresden has always been the capital: since 1485 - of the Margraviate of Meissen, since 1547 - of the Electorate of Saxony.

It is located on the Elbe River. The border with the Czech Republic runs 40 kilometers from it. It is the administrative center of Saxony. Its population numbers about 600,000 inhabitants.

The city suffered greatly from US and British air raids. Up to 30 thousand residents and refugees, most of them old people, women and children, died. During the bombing, the residence castle, the Zwinger complex, and the Semper Opera were severely destroyed. Almost the entire historical center lay in ruins.

To restore architectural monuments, after the war, all surviving parts of the buildings were dismantled, rewritten, numbered and taken out of the city. Everything that could not be restored was cleared away.

The old city was a flat area on which most of the monuments were gradually restored. The GDR government came up with a proposal to revive the old city, which lasted almost forty years. New neighborhoods and avenues were built for residents around the old city.

Coat of arms of the GDR

Like any country, the GDR had its own coat of arms, described in Chapter 1 of the constitution. The coat of arms of the German Democratic Republic was a superimposed golden hammer, representing the working class, and a compass, representing the intelligentsia. They were surrounded by a golden wreath of wheat, representing the peasantry, intertwined with the ribbons of the national flag.

Flag of the GDR

The flag of the German Democratic Republic was an elongated panel consisting of four stripes of equal width, painted in the national colors of Germany: black, red and gold. In the middle of the flag was the coat of arms of the GDR, which distinguished it from the flag of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Prerequisites for the formation of the GDR

The history of the GDR covers a very short period of time, but it is still studied with great attention by scientists in Germany. The country was severely isolated by Germany and the entire Western world. After the surrender of Germany in May 1945, there were occupation zones, there were four of them, since the former state ceased to exist. All power in the country, with all management functions, was formally transferred to the military administrations.

The transition period was complicated by the fact that Germany, especially its eastern part, where German resistance was desperate, lay in ruins. The barbaric bombings of British and US aircraft were aimed at intimidating the civilian population of cities that were liberated by the Soviet army and turning them into a pile of ruins.

In addition, there was no agreement between the former allies regarding the vision of the future of the country, which is what subsequently led to the creation of two countries - the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic.

Basic principles of German reconstruction

Even at the Yalta Conference, the basic principles of the restoration of Germany were considered, which were later fully agreed upon and approved at the conference in Potsdam by the victorious countries: the USSR, Great Britain and the USA. They were also approved by the countries participating in the war against Germany, in particular France, and contained the following provisions:

• Complete destruction of the totalitarian state.
• Complete ban on the NSDAP and all organizations associated with it.
• Complete liquidation of the punitive organizations of the Reich, such as the SA, SS, and SD services, since they were recognized as criminal.
• The army was completely liquidated.
• Racial and political legislation was repealed.
• Gradual and consistent implementation of denazification, demilitarization and democratization.

The solution to the German question, which included the peace treaty, was entrusted to the Council of Ministers of the victorious countries. On June 5, 1945, the victorious states promulgated the Declaration of the Defeat of Germany, according to which the country was divided into four occupation zones governed by the administrations of Great Britain (the largest zone), the USSR, the USA and France. The capital of Germany, Berlin, was also divided into zones. The resolution of all issues was entrusted to the Control Council, which included representatives of the victorious countries.

Parties of Germany

In Germany, to restore statehood, the formation of new political parties that would be democratic in nature was allowed. In the eastern sector, the emphasis was on the revival of the Communist and Social Democratic Parties of Germany, which soon merged into the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (1946). Its goal was to build a socialist state. It was the ruling party in the German Democratic Republic.

In the western sectors, the main political force was the CDU (Christian Democratic Union) party formed in June 1945. In 1946, the CSU (Christian Social Union) was formed in Bavaria on this principle. Their main principle is a democratic republic based on market economics with private property rights.

Political confrontations on the issue of the post-war structure of Germany between the USSR and the rest of the coalition countries were so serious that their further aggravation would have led either to a split in the state or to a new war.

Formation of the German Democratic Republic

In December 1946, Great Britain and the USA, ignoring numerous proposals from the USSR, announced the unification of their two zones. They began to call it “Bisonia” for short. This was preceded by the refusal of the Soviet administration to supply agricultural products to the western zones. In response to this, transit transportation of equipment exported from factories and factories in East Germany and located in the Ruhr region to the USSR zone was stopped.

At the beginning of April 1949, France also joined “Bizonia”, resulting in the formation of “Trisonia”, from which the Federal Republic of Germany was subsequently formed. So the Western powers, conspiring with the big German bourgeoisie, created a new state. In response to this, the German Democratic Republic was created at the end of 1949. Berlin, or rather its Soviet zone, became its center and capital.

The People's Council was temporarily reorganized into the People's Chamber, which adopted the Constitution of the GDR, which was subject to popular discussion. On September 11, 1949, the first president of the GDR was elected. It was the legendary Wilhelm Pieck. At the same time, the government of the GDR was temporarily created, headed by O. Grotewohl. The military administration of the USSR transferred all functions for governing the country to the government of the GDR.

The Soviet Union did not want the division of Germany. They were repeatedly made proposals for the unification and development of the country in accordance with the Potsdam decisions, but they were regularly rejected by Great Britain and the United States. Even after the division of Germany into two countries, Stalin made proposals for the unification of the GDR and the Federal Republic of Germany, provided that the decisions of the Potsdam Conference were respected and Germany was not drawn into any political or military blocs. But Western states refused this, ignoring the decisions of Potsdam.

Political system of the GDR

The form of government of the country was based on the principle of people's democracy, in which a bicameral parliament operated. The country's political system was considered to be bourgeois-democratic, in which socialist transformations took place. The German Democratic Republic included the former German states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, Brandenburg, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

The lower (people's) house was elected by universal secret ballot. The upper house was called the Land Chamber, the executive body was the government, which was made up of the prime minister and ministers. It was formed through an appointment made by the largest faction of the People's Chamber.

The administrative-territorial division consisted of lands consisting of districts divided into communities. The functions of the legislative bodies were performed by the Landtags, the executive bodies were the state governments.

The People's Chamber - the highest body of the state - consisted of 500 deputies, who were elected by secret ballot by the people for a period of 4 years. It was represented by all parties and public organizations. The People's Chamber, acting on the basis of laws, made the most important decisions on the development of the country, dealt with relations between organizations, compliance with the rules of cooperation between citizens, government organizations and associations; adopted the main law - the Constitution and other laws of the country.

Economy of the GDR

After the division of Germany, the economic situation of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) was very difficult. This part of Germany was very much destroyed. The equipment of plants and factories was exported to the western sectors of Germany. The GDR was simply cut off from its historical raw material bases, most of which were located in the Federal Republic of Germany. There was a shortage of natural resources such as ore and coal. There were few specialists: engineers, executives who left for Germany, frightened by propaganda about the brutal reprisals of the Russians.

With the help of the Union and other commonwealth countries, the economy of the GDR gradually began to gain momentum. Enterprises were restored. It was believed that centralized leadership and a planned economy served as a restraining factor for economic development. It should be taken into account that the restoration of the country took place in isolation from the western part of Germany, in an atmosphere of fierce confrontation between the two countries and open provocations.

Historically, the eastern regions of Germany were mostly agricultural, and in the western part, rich in coal and metal ore deposits, heavy industry, metallurgy and mechanical engineering were concentrated.

Without financial and material assistance from the Soviet Union, it would have been impossible to achieve a rapid restoration of industry. For the losses that the USSR suffered during the war, the GDR paid it reparation payments. Since 1950, their volume has been halved, and in 1954 the USSR refused to receive them.

Foreign policy situation

The construction of the Berlin Wall by the German Democratic Republic became a symbol of the intransigence of the two blocs. The Eastern and Western blocs of Germany increased their military forces, and provocations from the Western bloc became more frequent. It came down to open sabotage and arson. The propaganda machine was working at full capacity, taking advantage of economic and political difficulties. The Federal Republic of Germany, like many Western European countries, did not recognize the GDR. The aggravation of relations peaked in the early 1960s.

The so-called “German crisis” also arose thanks to West Berlin, which, legally being the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany, was located in the very center of the GDR. The border between the two zones was conditional. As a result of the confrontation between the NATO blocs and the countries belonging to the Warsaw bloc, the SED Politburo decided to build a border around West Berlin, which consisted of a reinforced concrete wall 106 km long and 3.6 m high and a metal mesh fence 66 km long. It stood from August 1961 until November 1989.

After the merger of the GDR and the Federal Republic of Germany, the wall was demolished, leaving only a small section that became the Berlin Wall memorial. In October 1990, the GDR became part of the Federal Republic of Germany. The history of the German Democratic Republic, which existed for 41 years, is intensively studied and researched by scientists of modern Germany.

Despite the propaganda discrediting of this country, scientists are well aware that it gave Western Germany a lot. In a number of parameters, it has surpassed its Western brother. Yes, the joy of reunification was genuine for the Germans, but there is no point in belittling the importance of the GDR, one of the most developed countries in Europe, and many in modern Germany understand this very well.

MOSCOW, April 1 - RIA Novosti, Anton Lisitsyn. The Bundeswehr received a directive asking what examples from the military past German soldiers should be proud of. As far as the GDR army is concerned, only those who “revolted against the rule of the SED or have special merits in the struggle for German unity” are supposed to be honored. In a united Germany there live two culturally different peoples - from the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic. Why citizens of the former German Democratic Republic feel “nostalgia” for the times of “totalitarianism” - in the material of RIA Novosti.

"They want to show how their parents lived"

Ostalgie Kantine - the Ostalgie buffet is located in the state of Saxony-Anhalt in the former German Democratic Republic. Buffet is a conditional name. Rather, it is a park of the socialist period. There are interiors from those times, exhibitions of Soviet military equipment and “people’s democracy” cars, including the legendary “Wartburg” and “Trabant”, shelves with toys.

Manager Mike Silabecki says that 80 percent of visitors are former East German citizens. “They often come with children to show them what the GDR was like, how their parents lived. Schoolchildren are brought in classes for history lessons,” he explains.

Silabecki believes that Socialism Park is popular because many from the former GDR have “good memories of those times, of socialism and the USSR.”

From the same Saxony-Anhalt, the Mitteldeutsche Zeitung reports alarming news. In the town of Börde, the local GDR era museum is closing. The building housing a collection of artifacts from the times of socialism is being demolished.

East is east, west is west

Germany reunified in 1990. Legally, it looked like this: in August, the parliament of the German Democratic Republic made a decision (long ago agreed upon by East Berlin, Bonn and the interested powers) to join the Federal Republic of Germany. On October 3, all government bodies of the GDR and its armed forces were abolished. The German Constitution of 1949 came into force throughout the country. That is, the GDR was disbanded, its lands were included in West Germany.

The united Germans called each other diminutively - "Ossi" and "Wessi", from the German words ost and west, "east" and "west", respectively. Soon the term “ostalgia” arose - longing for the times of “people's democracy”.

In terms of economic development, the GDR lagged behind the Federal Republic of Germany, however, East Germany in the 1980s was in sixth place in terms of industrial production in Europe. Enterprises such as Robotron and ORWO operated in the republic; they produced trucks, wagons, locomotives, and cranes exported abroad. Most of the industrial potential of the "people's democracy" was destroyed in the 1990s. Vessey's business behaved like a winner on the annexed lands.

The GDR existed for only 41 years, but, as it turned out, left a deep mark on the collective German conscious and unconscious.

One of the Russian bloggers interviewed Ossi in 2015, and he described to him the economic realities of a united Germany. “About 15 years later, in 2003-2004, some managers realized the mistake: why ruin part of their own country? And get the problem of subsidies? - the former citizen of the GDR was surprised.

How much does German unity cost?

In 2014, Germany decided to calculate how much it cost to reunify the country. On the eve of the 25th anniversary of the unification, Welt am Sonntag published the results of a study by experts from the Institute of Economics: “Two and twelve zeros - German unity is currently worth two trillion euros.”

“According to the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), the five eastern states and their populations have consumed approximately 1.5 trillion euros more than they produced themselves since reunification,” the journalists continued.

Gorbachev: The USSR did the right thing regarding the unification of the Federal Republic of Germany and the GDRAccording to Mikhail Gorbachev, everyone in the Politburo was in favor of the unification of Germany and the GDR. Various forms of unification were proposed, including a confederation, he said.

Two years later the situation has not changed much. In 2017, Berlin officially recognized that the lands of the former East Germany still lag behind Western Germany in terms of socio-economic development. The government expressed fears that the gap between the former GDR and the Federal Republic of Germany would not narrow, but widen. The volume of gross domestic product per capita in the East does not exceed 70 percent of West Germany. And, what is extremely significant, 30 companies - the flagships of the German economy, included in the main German stock exchange index DAX, do not have headquarters in the east.

"Everyday Racism"

In the German segment of the Internet, popular tests are “Who are you - Wessy or Ossie?” Sociologists record the negative attitude of citizens of the former GDR and West Germany towards each other. Thus, in 2012, it turned out that East Germans consider their Western compatriots arrogant, overly greedy, and prone to formalism. And many Vessies characterize Ossies as always dissatisfied, suspicious and fearful.

How seriously this problem is taken in Germany can be judged by the title of the sociological article - “Vessi vs. Ossie: Everyday Racism?” There are also common stereotypes - “Wessies are just using Ossies”, “But these Ossies are simply not capable of anything!”

“According to German politicians, in 1990 they hoped that they would be able to “digest” the east in five years, well, not in five, but in ten, not in ten, but in fifteen. However, twenty-eight years have passed, and politicians admit: the difference between the two parts of the country remains. One spoke directly: we still, in fact, live in two countries,” says Alexander Kokeev, a leading researcher at the Department of European Political Studies at the IMEMO RAS, Candidate of Historical Sciences. concerns politics. For example, in the former GDR, right-wing populist parties such as the Alternative for Germany enjoy greater support.

At the same time, as the expert emphasizes, this problem is not as acute now as it was immediately after reunification. Berlin solves it and treats it with the utmost care. “There is a so-called ostalgia, but it is largely irrational. The standard of living of East Germans has increased significantly, it’s just that many compare it with higher indicators in the western part of the country, and, naturally, this causes dissatisfaction among some. In addition, some former citizens The GDR, mostly elderly, feel like second-class citizens who have been put out on the stairs from their apartment and at the same time are being taught how to live correctly,” Kokeev sums up.

Germany

The German Democratic Republic (GDR, East Germany) is a socialist state founded on October 7, 1949 in the Soviet occupation zone of Germany and the eastern (Soviet) sector of Berlin. The republic officially ceased to exist and was united with the Federal Republic of Germany at 00:00 Central European Time on October 3, 1990.

On June 9, 1945, on the territory where Soviet troops were located, the Soviet Military Administration in Germany (SVAG, ceased to exist in October 1949 after the proclamation of the GDR and the Soviet Control Commission was formed in its place), its first commander-in-chief was G.K. . Zhukov.

The proclamation of the GDR took place five months later in response to the creation of the three western occupation zones of the Federal Republic of Germany; on October 7, 1949, the Constitution of the GDR was proclaimed.

The most important milestones in the history of the GDR:

July 1952 - at the II Conference of the SED, a course was proclaimed to build socialism in the GDR

The conditions for economic recovery in the GDR were noticeably more difficult than in the Federal Republic of Germany: there were more fierce battles on the Eastern Front of World War II, which resulted in enormous destruction, a significant share of mineral deposits and heavy industrial enterprises ended up in the Federal Republic of Germany, and reparations to the USSR also placed a heavier burden.

At the beginning of 1952, the question of German unification was raised. By decision of the UN, a commission was created to conduct general elections. However, by Stalin’s decision, representatives of the commission were not allowed into the territory of the GDR. Stalin's death the following year did not change the situation.

The events of June 17, 1953 led to the fact that, instead of levying reparations, the USSR began to provide economic assistance to the GDR. In the context of the aggravation of the foreign policy situation around the German question and the mass exodus of qualified personnel from the GDR to West Berlin, on August 13, 1961, the construction of a system of barrier structures between the GDR and West Berlin began - the “Berlin Wall”.

In the early 1970s. a gradual normalization of relations between the two German states began. In June 1973, the Treaty on the Basic Principles of Relations between the GDR and the Federal Republic of Germany came into force. In September 1973, the GDR became a full member of the UN and other international organizations. On November 8, 1973, the GDR officially recognized the Federal Republic of Germany and established diplomatic relations with it.

In the second half of the 1980s, economic difficulties began to increase in the country; in the fall of 1989, a socio-political crisis arose, as a result of which the SED leadership resigned (October 24 - Erich Honecker, November 7 - Willy Stoff). On November 9, the new Politburo of the Central Committee of the SED decided to allow citizens of the GDR to privately travel abroad without valid reasons, as a result of which the “Berlin Wall” spontaneously fell. After the victory of the CDU in the elections on March 18, 1990, the new government of Lothar de Maizière began intensive negotiations with the German government on issues of German unification. In May and August 1990, two Treaties were signed containing the conditions for the accession of the GDR to the Federal Republic of Germany. On September 12, 1990, the Treaty on the Final Settlement regarding Germany was signed in Moscow, which contained decisions on the entire range of issues of German unification. In accordance with the decision of the People's Chamber, the GDR joined the Federal Republic of Germany on October 3, 1990.