GDR and FRG: decoding of abbreviations. Formation and unification of the Federal Republic of Germany and the GDR

Germany in 1945

At the last stage of the Second World War, the territory of Nazi Germany was liberated by all progressive forces. A special role belonged to the Soviet Union, the USA, Great Britain and France. After signing the surrender in May 1945, the Nazi government was dismissed. Governance of the country was transferred to the Inter-Allied Control Council.

For joint control over Germany, the allied countries divided its territory into four occupation zones to transfer it to peaceful life. The division looked like this:

The Soviet zone included Thuringia, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg;
The American zone consisted of Bavaria, Bremen, Hesse and Württemberg-Hohenzollern;
The British zone covered Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein and North Rhine-Westphalia;
The French zone was formed from Baden, Württemberg-Baden and Rhineland-Palatinate.

Note 1

The capital of Germany, the city of Berlin, was allocated to a special zone. Although it was located on lands transferred to the Soviet occupation zone, its management was transferred to the Inter-Allied Commandant's Office. It also housed the main governing body of the country - the Allied Control Council.

The occupation zones were administered by zonal military administrations. They exercised powers until the election of a provisional government and the holding of all-German parliamentary elections.

Education Germany

Over the next three years, the western zones of occupation (American, British and French) converge. The military administration is gradually restoring representative bodies (Landtags), carrying out reforms and restoring the historical territorial division of the German lands. In December 1946, the British and American zones merged to form Bisonia. Unified governing bodies and a united body of supreme power were created. Its functions began to be performed by the Economic Council, elected by the Landtags in May 1947. he was empowered to make financial and economic decisions common to all the lands of Bisonia.

In the territories that came under the control of the Western powers, the “Marshall Plan” began to be implemented.

Definition 1

The Marshall Plan is a program of US assistance to European countries for post-war economic recovery. It was named after its initiator, US Secretary of State George Marshall.

He served as a unifying factor. New authorities were created in Bisonia: the Supreme Court and the Council of Lands (government chamber). Central power was transferred to the Administrative Council, which reported on its actions to the Economic Council. In 1948, the French occupation zone joined Bisonia to form Trizonia.

The London meeting of the six victorious countries (USA, UK, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Belgium and France) in the summer of 1948 ended with the decision to create a separate West German state. In June of the same year, monetary reform was carried out in Trizonia and the development of a constitution began. In May 1949, the West German constitution was approved, establishing the federal structure of the state. At the next session of the victorious states in June 1949, the split in Germany was officially recognized. The new state was named the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG). The Federal Republic of Germany included three quarters of all German territories.

Education of the GDR

At the same time, the formation of a state took place in the Soviet occupation zone. The Soviet Military Administration (SVAG) announced the liquidation of the Prussian state and restored the Landtags. Gradually, all power was transferred to the German People's Congress. The SED (Socialist Unity Party of Germany) initiated the adoption of a Soviet-style constitution in May 1949. The inter-party National Front of Democratic Germany was formed. This served as the basis for the proclamation of the East German state of the GDR (German Democratic Republic) on October 7, 1949.

Story

Prerequisites for creation

The world-historical victory of the anti-Hitler coalition, the main force of which was the Soviet Union, over German fascism in World War II of 1939-45 created the preconditions for the democratization of the socio-political life of Germany. These prerequisites were fully realized in the territory of the future GDR. However, one very important mistake was made here, which would later become one of the reasons for the disappearance of the GDR -. Under the leadership of the SED, the working class, in alliance with other sections of the working people, with the full support and assistance of the Soviet military administration, which consistently implemented the decisions of the Potsdam Conference, carried out profound revolutionary changes, uprooted fascism and militarism and established an anti-fascist-democratic order.

War criminals and active Nazis were removed from their positions and brought to justice. The National Socialist Party and its organizations were dissolved (while in Germany most of the high-ranking Nazis retained their posts). About 9.3 thousand industrial enterprises that belonged to monopolies, Nazis and war criminals were confiscated and transferred to the ownership of the people. Almost all railway transport was nationalized, people's banks were created instead of capitalist ones, as well as state and cooperative institutions. A public sector emerged in the economy. An agrarian reform was carried out in agriculture, eliminating landlord-junker land ownership. Local authorities confiscated 13.7 thousand farms with a total area of 3.3 million hectares, transferring 2.2 million hectares to landless and land-poor peasants. On the rest of the confiscated lands, people's estates were created.

Creation of the GDR

The ruling circles of the Western powers, together with the West German big bourgeoisie, which was supported by the right-wing leaders of social democracy, in violation of the decisions of the Potsdam Conference, set a course for the revival of German militarism. The German monopolies and Western occupation authorities intensified their attack on the democratic forces towards the complete split of the country. Its completion was the formation in September 1949 of a separate West German state - the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG). On October 7, 1949, workers in eastern Germany proclaimed the German Democratic Republic. The German People's Council (created in March 1948 by the German People's Congress) transformed into a temporary People's Chamber; she put into effect the constitution of the GDR, the draft of which was discussed and approved by the people in 1948-49. On October 11, 1949, the provisional parliament elected the president of the GDR, a sincere communist, one of the founders. On October 12, the Provisional Government of the GDR was formed, headed by O. Grotewohl. The creation of the GDR was an important historical event in the life of the German people, a turning point in the history of Germany. The formation of the GDR was a natural result of the anti-fascist-democratic coup, the response of the progressive forces of the German people to the split of Germany by the Western powers and the West German reaction. The GDR was the legitimate heir to the best historical traditions of the German people, the embodiment of the freedom-loving and socialist ideals of its best sons.

Residential complex (Berlin)

The Soviet government transferred control functions that belonged to the Soviet military administration to the GDR. In 1949, the GDR was recognized and diplomatic relations were established with it; in 1957, Yugoslavia established diplomatic relations with the GDR, and in 1963, Cuba.

Socialist transformations

The formation of the GDR was a decisive milestone in the process of the peaceful and gradual development of the anti-fascist-democratic revolution into a socialist one.

With the emergence of the GDR, along with the strengthening of the anti-fascist-democratic order, the process of creating the foundations of socialism began. Under the leadership of the SED, the working class, in alliance with the peasantry and other sections of the working people, made the transition from anti-fascist-democratic state power to worker-peasant power as a form of dictatorship of the proletariat; the 2nd SED Conference (July 1952) proclaimed building the foundations of socialism the main task of the GDR. In building a new society, the GDR relied on the experience and comprehensive assistance of the USSR.

Metallurgical plant "Ost"

The GDR had to overcome difficulties associated primarily with the split of the country. The ruling circles of the Federal Republic of Germany exercised the strongest political and economic pressure on the GDR, carried out subversive activities against it and organized numerous provocations. Also, the development of the country was hampered by a dangerous internal enemy - many former Social Democrats, who found themselves in the party as a result of the unification of the SPD and KPD, wanted only one thing - the speedy restoration of bourgeois order in the country. It was they who played a decisive role in the destruction of the GDR.

Measures were taken to improve the work of government bodies and to involve the broad masses of workers in government management. In September 1960, the State Council was created from deputies of the People's Chamber, representatives of the SED, democratic parties and mass organizations, the chairman of which was Walter Ulbricht (at that time the first secretary of the SED Central Committee).

In an effort to ensure its state interests, as well as the security of other socialist countries and to stop subversive activities carried out from West Berlin, the GDR, in agreement and with the approval of the Warsaw Pact states, carried out in August 1961 the necessary measures to strengthen security and control on the border with West Berlin . This had a beneficial effect on the entire further development of the GDR.

National People's Army Infantry

In the context of the immediate danger to the GDR created by the remilitarization of the Federal Republic of Germany, the workers of the GDR resolutely advocated taking measures to protect socialist gains. For this purpose it was formed in 1956.

The 7th Congress of the SED, held in April 1967, determined the country's further tasks in creating a developed socialist society. On April 6, 1968, a new, socialist one was adopted by a popular referendum. The main objectives of the long-term plan were fulfilled, and partially exceeded.

With the establishment of workers' and peasants' power and the construction of a socialist society in the GDR, a socialist nation is developing. In 1969, the GDR celebrated its 20th anniversary. Over 20 years, the volume of industrial production in the GDR increased 5 times, national income - more than 4 times.

The SED and the government of the GDR made great efforts to comprehensively strengthen the world socialist community. The GDR has repeatedly taken the initiative in developing ties between socialist countries, in improving the forms and methods of political, economic and military cooperation between socialist states, and in strengthening the coordination of their actions in the international arena.

Union with Germany

By 1990, the situation in the GDR had become critical. The policy of perestroika carried out in Russia became a blow to all countries of the socialist camp. German Chancellor Helmut Kohl demanded Gorbachev's assistance in the unification of Germany. Gorbachev agreed. “Assistance in unification” consisted in the fact that he stopped providing the GDR with all support - economic and political. The Democratic Republic found itself alone, surrounded by enemies, and without allies. Here the Social Democrats, who had been waiting in the wings for forty years, did their job. They, taking advantage of their high position, launched powerful propaganda, convincing the population of the need for “unification.” By “unification” they meant the entry of the GDR into the Federal Republic of Germany. The West German government, relying on the Eastern Social Democrats, demanded “unification.” It indicated that without the help of the allies, the GDR would not last long. A difficult choice was faced - either to maintain independence and worker-peasant power, but doom its citizens to hunger, or to lose independence and give all of East Germany into the hands of the bourgeoisie, but save the country from famine, which would come, because most countries introduced trade sanctions against GDR. it was a great pity to lose the first workers' state on German territory, but he could not doom his citizens to hunger, and at 00:00 hours Central European Time on October 3, 1990, the GDR became part of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The forced unification of the two Germanys had sad consequences for the people. Many social programs carried out in Germany were curtailed. Most East German enterprises were closed or privatized, and workers found themselves on the streets. The GDR army was disbanded, the soldiers were sent to finish their service, and the officers were fired, and they were deprived of military and civilian pensions. The fate of Erich himself is also sad - the German government, having abandoned its promises, issued an arrest warrant. He had to flee to Moscow, where he became the “personal guest” of President M. S. Gorbachev. However, after some time, Gorbachev demanded that he leave the country within three days. He found refuge in the Chilean embassy in Moscow. On July 30, 1992, he was expelled from Russia to Germany. The prosecution against him was dropped due to his poor health. He emigrated to Chile, where he died of cancer in the city of Santiago de Chile on May 29, 1994.

Political system

Shipyard in Rostock

1948-1968

The GDR was, according to the 1949 constitution, a bourgeois-democratic state that carried out socialist transformations. People's democracy was used as a form of government. The German Democratic Republic had a bicameral parliament. The lower house - the People's Chamber - was elected by universal direct secret ballot, the upper house - the House of Lands - was formed through the Landtags. The head of state is the President. The executive body is the government, consisting of the prime minister and ministers appointed by the largest faction of the House of the People.

The territory of the German Democratic Republic was divided into lands, lands into districts, and districts into communities. The legislative bodies of the lands were the Landtags, the executive bodies were the zemstvo governments (Landesregierung), consisting of prime ministers and ministers.

1968-1990

The GDR was, according to the 1968 constitution (as amended in 1974), a socialist republic. All political power in the GDR was exercised by the working people. The highest body of state power is the People's Chamber, which, according to the constitution, included 500 deputies elected by the population for 4 years on the basis of free, universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot. All political parties and the largest public organizations of the GDR were represented in the People's Chamber. The competence of the People's Chamber included determining, through decisions and laws, the development goals of the GDR, the rules of cooperation between citizens, associations and government bodies, as well as their tasks in implementing social development plans. The House of the People had the exclusive right to adopt a constitution and laws; it elected the chairman and members of the State Council, the chairman and members of the government (Council of Ministers), the chairman of the National Defense Council, members of the Supreme Court, and the Prosecutor General. In the period between sessions of the People's Chamber, tasks arising from laws and decisions were carried out by the State Council (consisting of the chairman, his deputies, members and secretary), which was responsible for its activities to the People's Chamber. The State Council considered bills submitted to the People's Chamber, adopted decrees subject to approval by the People's Chamber, resolved issues of defense and security, and exercised supervision over the legality of the activities of the highest bodies of justice; has the right of amnesty and pardon, etc. The Chairman of the State Council represented the GDR in international relations and ratified state treaties, appointed and recalled representatives of the GDR in other states, etc. Members of the State Council, upon taking office, took an oath before the People's Chamber, the text of which was established by the constitution. The right to vote was granted to all citizens over 18 years of age.

The highest executive body of state power - the government (Council of Ministers), was elected by the People's Chamber for a period of 4 years, consisting of the chairman and members of the government. The Council of Ministers formed the Presidium from among its members.

Local government bodies in districts, districts, cities and communities are popular representatives elected by citizens enjoying the right to vote. Each people's representative office formed its own executive bodies - councils and commissions.

The judicial system of the GDR included the Supreme Court, district, district and public courts (courts elected on a production or territorial basis in the form of conflict or arbitration commissions). All judges, lay assessors and members of public courts were elected by popular representatives or directly by the population. Supervision over the observance of socialist legality was carried out by the prosecutor's office, headed by the Prosecutor General of the GDR.

Economy

Neubrandenburg. House of Culture and Education

The GDR found itself cut off from historically established raw material supply bases. The main deposits of coal, iron ore, and many non-ferrous metals were located in Western Germany (in 1936, the territory now occupied by the Federal Republic of Germany accounted for 98% of all-German coal production and 93% of ferrous metallurgy). Major imbalances arose in the national economy of the GDR. Despite the difficulties, as a result of the labor activity of the working class, the 2-year plan for the restoration and development of the national economy for 1949-50 was completed ahead of schedule. The GDR surpassed the level of industrial development of the corresponding territories of pre-war Germany. The productivity of the main agricultural crops reached pre-war levels. Further development of the economy took place on the basis of long-term plans. As a result of the 1st Five-Year Plan (1951-55), industrial production doubled the level of 1936; metallurgy and heavy engineering were created, brown coal mining and the production of chemical products expanded significantly.

The support provided to it by the USSR and other socialist countries was important in the successes of the GDR. The Soviet Union significantly eased the financial and economic obligations of the GDR associated with the consequences of the 2nd World War. In May 1950, the Soviet government halved reparation payments to the GDR, and from 1954 it completely stopped collecting them. returned free of charge to the GDR the enterprises located on its territory that had previously been transferred to him as reparations, reduced the amount of expenses associated with the temporary stay of Soviet troops in the GDR to an amount not exceeding 5% of the revenues of the state budget of the GDR (later the USSR completely abandoned these funds).

At the turn of 1955-56, a new stage in the history of the GDR began. During the implementation of the 1st Five-Year Plan, important foundations of socialism were laid. The question “who wins?” was decided in favor of socialist forces led by the recognized leader of society - the working class.

Optical-mechanical enterprise "Carl Zeiss"

In March 1956, the 3rd SED Conference approved the 2nd Five-Year Plan for the Development of the National Economy (1956-60), the main objective of which was the struggle for scientific and technological progress. The conference called for the extension of socialist production relations to all sectors of the national economy. The conference established that socialist transformations can be carried out peacefully, through state participation in private capitalist enterprises and the creation of production cooperatives of artisans. The most important link was the socialist transformation of agriculture.

By the end of the 50s, the socio-economic structure of the country had changed radically. The socialist sector has become decisive in industry, transport, and trade. Agricultural cooperation was successful. In the GDR, exploitation was ended and unemployment was completely eliminated. The moral and political unity of the people under the leadership of the working class strengthened. Of significant importance was the activity of the National Front of Democratic Germany, which, under the leadership of the SED, united all progressive parties and mass organizations on the platform of peace, democratic reforms, and the construction of socialism.

Thanks to the rapid growth of the national economy, the material well-being of the working people increased, and the network of hospitals, outpatient clinics, rest homes, and children's institutions expanded. A new, socialist culture developed successfully; it was formed and strengthened in the process of overcoming the ideological layers of the past and the reactionary ideology spread by the West German imperialists.

The 6th Congress of the SED (January 1963) adopted the SED Program - a program for the extensive construction of socialism. The congress outlined a long-term program for the development of the national economy for 1970, which provided for the solution of important scientific, technical, economic and social problems. Since 1963, a new system of planning and management of the national economy began to be introduced, providing for further improvement of management and planning methods, widespread application of the principles of material interest, improvement of the structure of production, and a combination of the principle of unity of command with the participation of labor collectives in enterprise management. Socialist competition and the movement of innovators reached great scale, making it possible to achieve a high level of labor productivity in all sectors of the economy.

Administrative division

The territory of the GDR corresponded to the current six federal states of Germany (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, Berlin (East Berlin), Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia). In 1952, the country was officially divided into 14 districts with centers in the cities of the same name (15 districts since 1961):

Leipzig. Alter Markt

Galle District
Gera District
District Dresden
District Suhl
District Karl-Marx-Stadt
District of Cottbus
District Leipzig
District Magdeburg
District Neubrandenburg
District Potsdam
District Rostock
District Frankfurt an der Oder
District of Schwerin
District Erfurt
In 1961, East Berlin became an independent district.

Nature

The territory of the GDR is located in the central part of Central Europe in the temperate zone. In the North, the country is washed by the Baltic Sea with alternating low and steep shores. The sea forms several bays (Mecklenburg Bay, which branches into the Lübeck and Wismar bays; Greifswalder Bodden) and shallow lagoons, connected to the sea by narrow straits. The GDR owns a number of islands; the largest: Rügen, Usedom (western part) and Pöhl.

Relief

The large northern part of the country is occupied by the Central European Plain (height up to 150-200 m) with a predominance of accumulative glacial and water-glacial landforms, as well as the valleys separating them. The width of the plain in the east is about 300 km, in the west it is about 200 km. The northeastern part of the plain is an undulating lowland with moraine hills; to the south lies the plain of the Mecklenburg Lake District (part of the Baltic ridge) with ridges of terminal moraines (northern ridge, up to 179 m high). To the south (to the area located south of Berlin) stretches a strip of sandy (outwash) low-lying plains with wide, swampy ancient hollows, through which the meltwater of Pleistocene glaciers and rivers drained into the Elbe Valley. The southern edge of the Central European Plain is made up of the southern ridge of moraines - a strip of gently rolling hills of Fleming and Lausicka (up to 201 meters high), composed of sands and eroded moraine material, covered with loess. The southern regions of the country are occupied by medium-high mountains, strongly dissected by rivers: in the West - the eastern part of the Harz Mountains, in the South-West - the Thuringian Forest, in the South - the northern slopes of the Ore Mountains with the highest peak in the GDR, Fichtelberg (1213 m).

Geological structure and minerals

The southern part of the territory of the GDR belongs to the Epihercynian platform, the formation of the folded foundation of which involved structures of Paleozoic and Precambrian age. In the northern part of the territory, the age of the folded foundation has not been established, since it is buried to a considerable depth (in places more than 5 km); According to seismic exploration and drilling data (Rügen Island), the foundation of the north of the country belongs to the Precambrian East European Platform and is probably heavily reworked by Paleozoic folding. The cover of the platform of Mesozoic and Neogene age in the north is composed of gently lying layers of sedimentary rocks, of which mainly marine and continental Neogene deposits (sands, clays), as well as glacial and aquaglacial deposits of the Anthropogene, are exposed on the surface. Near the coast of the Baltic Sea, Mesozoic and Cenozoic rocks come to the surface in places. Salt tectonics are widely developed throughout the lowland. In the southern region of the country, folded Paleozoic structures that underwent long-term denudation, as a result of activation in the Cenozoic, were transformed into block and horst uplifts (the Lausitz massif, the Ore Mountains, the Thuringian Forest, the Harz, etc.) and extensive depressions (the Thuringian Basin, etc.). The massifs are composed of ancient crystalline sedimentary, metamorphic and intrusive rocks, the depressions are filled with clays, sandstones and limestones.

Associated with the platform cover are large deposits of brown coal, potassium salts and cuprous shales, gas and oil, and with the folded foundation of the Hercynian zone (in the south of the German Democratic Republic) are various deposits of ore minerals (lead-zinc, iron, uranium ores).

Climate

The climate is temperate, marine in the North and North-West, and transitional from maritime to continental in other areas. Average January temperatures in the North range from −0.1 °C to 0.6 °C, in Vosotok up to −1.5 °C, in the southern mountainous regions −4, −5 °C; July in coastal areas 16-17 °C, in the middle part of the country from 17.5 °C to 18.5 °C, in the mountains 15-16 °C. The annual precipitation in the North is 525-650 mm, in the East and in the middle part 480-610 mm, in the mountains 900-1100 mm (in the Garzado ridge zone 1500 mm). Most precipitation falls in the form of rain. Snowfalls occur annually, but stable snow cover does not last long (on the plains up to 30 days, in the mountains sometimes more than 100 days).

Inland waters

Most of the territory of the GDR belongs to the river basin. Elbe; a small territory in the East - to the river basin. Oder, in the North - directly to the Baltic Sea basin, in the West - to the river basin. Weser, in the South-West - to the river basin. Main (tributary of the Rhine). The largest tributaries of the Elbe are the Havel with the Spree, the Saale with the Weisse-Elster and Unstrut, the Schwarze-Elster, and the Mulde. The rivers are predominantly rain-fed; Maximum water consumption is in the spring, during snowmelt, and sometimes also in the summer, after heavy rains. On some rivers there is short-term freeze-up in winter (the Oder freezes for an average of a month, the Elbe for 10 days). In the South, rivers predominantly flow in mid-altitude mountains and are characterized by mixed snow and rain feeding; A significant number of reservoirs and hydroelectric power stations have been built here. Many rivers are connected by canals. There are many marshes and lakes in the Mecklenburg Lake District and south of Berlin. The largest lakes: Müritz, Schweriner See, Plauer See, Kummerover See. Inland water resources are used for water supply, energy, and transport.

Soils

Podzolic soils are widespread, especially characteristic of the northern (soddy-palevo-podzolic soils) and central (sandy and sandy loam soddy-podzolic soils) regions. Podzolic soils are also found in mountainous areas with high rainfall. Brown and gray forest soils (about 1/4 of the country's area) form large tracts on the cover loams and boulder clays of the Mecklenburg Lake District, as well as in the South-West. The carbonate rocks of Thuringia include stony humus-carbonate soils, and rendzins are found on limestones. On the loess and loess-like loams of the eastern and northern foothills of the Harz (Magdeburg Börde) and the plains of the Turpigen basin, the most fertile soils of the GDR are developed - chernozems (sometimes leached and podzolized or in combination with brown and silty soils). In poorly drained depressions of ancient glacial plains, as well as in the upper belt of mountains, there are swamp and peat-bog soils that are intensively drained. In the mountains there are predominantly forest mountain brown soils.

Vegetation

In the Holocene, the territory of the GDR had continuous forest cover. Due to the constant expansion of agricultural land, the forest area has decreased to 27.3%. Forests predominate, mostly highly cultivated and planted. Large tracts of pine forests are located in the north. Broadleaf and pine forests are preserved on the outwash plains in the vicinity of Berlin. In the mountains there are beech and spruce forests with an admixture of fir, hornbeam, and maple. The Mecklenburg Lake District is characterized by small but numerous tracts of beech and oak-beech forests with an admixture of birch, pine on sandy soils and alder in the floodplains. In other areas, forests are interspersed between fields and gardens. In the North, as well as on the Fleming Hills, there are heather, juniper and grassy heaths. On ancient glacial plains, in places of weak surface flow, there are partially forested swamps and wetlands.

Animal world

The fauna is represented mainly by forest species (deer, roe deer, wild boar, etc.). There are small mammals (brown hare, field mice, hamsters, wild rabbits, which are partially destroyed as agricultural pests). Beavers, pine martens, and wild cats are preserved in the Elbe Valley. Typical birds include sparrows, starlings, woodpeckers, blackbirds, cuckoos, finches, swallows, orioles, owls, magpies, harriers, as well as partridges and pheasants. The number of partridges and pheasants is increasing due to conservation measures. The bustard, eagle owl, stone eagle, heron, crane and stork are preserved mainly in nature reserves. Wading birds include woodcocks, lapwings, snipes, and white storks. The reservoirs are home to crucian carp, carp, tench, perch, bream, pike, eel, and trout.

Reserves

17% of the GDR's area was declared protected areas. Most of them were located on the coast of the Baltic Sea, in the Northern Ridge and midlands. In 1971, there were 651 nature reserves (the largest is Müritz, about 6.3 thousand hectares - the nesting site of the gray crane). There were over 400 places for recreation.

Natural areas

Central European plain with hilly terrain and wide valleys, a large number of lakes, a dense network of rivers, a predominance of pine, beech and mixed forests, podzolic, brown and gray forest soils;
Plains of the Thuringian Basin in the South-West of the GDR with a relatively dry climate, broad-leaved and pine forests, humus-carbonate and silty soils on a loess substrate;
Medium-altitude mountains in the south of the country with alternating horst uplifts and intramountain depressions, a humid and cool mountain climate, long-term snow cover, spruce and beech forests on mountain brown and podzolic soils.

Population

The national composition of the GDR was homogeneous: Germans made up over 99% of the population. The only national minority are the Slavic-speaking Lusatians, or Sorbs (about 100 thousand people), who lived in the east of the country in the districts of Cottbus and Dresden. The majority of believers (about 86%) belonged to Protestants (Lutherans), the rest were predominantly Catholics. The official calendar is Gregorian.

Political organizations

Political parties

The Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED) (Sozialistische Einheitspartei Deutschlands) was formed in April 1946 as a result of the unification of the Communist Party of Germany and the Social Democratic Party of Germany on the basis of Marxism-Leninism.
Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) (Christlich-Demokratische Union Deutschlands);
Liberal Democratic Party of Germany (LDPD) (Liberal-Demokratische Partei Deutschlands);
National Democratic Party of Germany (NDPG) (National-Demokratische Partei Deutschlands);
Democratic Peasants' Party of Germany (DKPD) (Demokratische Bauernpartei Deutschlands).

Trade unions and other public organizations

National Front of Democratic Germany (NFDG) (Nationale Front des demokratischen Deutschland). Developed in 1949-50 from the German People's Congress movement. United all political parties and mass public organizations of the GDR.
Association of Free German Trade Unions (OSNP);
Union of Free German Youth;

Germany

The split of Germany into the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic

The geopolitical results of World War II were catastrophic for Germany. It lost its statehood for several years and its territorial integrity for many years. 24% of the territory Germany occupied in 1936 was torn off, including East Prussia, divided between Poland and the USSR. Poland and Czechoslovakia received the right to evict ethnic Germans from their territories, as a result of which a stream of refugees moved into Germany (by the end of 1946, their number was about 9 million people).

By decision of the Crimean Conference, German territory was divided into four zones of occupation: Soviet, American, British and French. Berlin was similarly divided into four sectors. At the Potsdam Conference, the basic principles of the occupation policy of the Allied states were agreed upon (demilitarization, denazification, decartelization, democratization of Germany). However, the lack of firm agreements on the German problem led to the fact that the administrations of the occupation zones applied the Potsdam principles at their own discretion.

The leadership of the Soviet military administration in Germany immediately took measures to form an obedient regime in its zone. Local committees spontaneously created by anti-fascists were dissolved. Central departments were created to resolve administrative and economic issues. The main role in them was played by communists and social democrats. In the summer of 1945, the activities of 4 political parties were allowed: the Communist Party of Germany (KPD), the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Liberal Democratic Party of Germany (LDP). In theory, all permitted parties enjoyed equal rights, but in practice, the Soviet government openly preferred the KKE.

Based on the idea that Nazism was a product of capitalism and denazification implied a struggle against capitalist influence in German society, Soviet power seized the “commanding heights” of the economy in the first months of the occupation. Many large enterprises were nationalized on the grounds that they belonged to the Nazis or their supporters. These enterprises were either dismantled and sent to the Soviet Union to pay for reparations, or continued to operate as Soviet property. In September 1945, land reform was carried out, during which more than 7,100 estates with an area of more than 100 hectares were expropriated free of charge. From the created land fund, about 120 thousand landless peasants, agricultural workers and migrants received small plots. Reactionaries were dismissed from government service.

The Soviet administration forced the SPD and the KPD to merge into a new party called the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED). In subsequent years, communist control became increasingly harsh. In January 1949, the SED conference decided that the party should become a Leninist "party of a new type" on the model of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Thousands of socialists and communists who disagreed with this line were expelled from the party in a purge. In general, the same model was used in the Soviet zone of occupation as in other Eastern European countries. She meant the Stalinization of the Marxist party, the deprivation of the independence of the “middle class” parties, further nationalization, repressive measures and the virtual elimination of the competitive electoral system.

Western states acted in Germany as authoritarianly as the Soviet administration did in its zone. Anti-fascist committees were disbanded here too. Land governments were created (in the American zone during 1945, in the British and French - in 1946). Appointment to posts was carried out by a strong-willed decision of the occupation authorities. In the western occupation zones, the KPD and SPD also resumed their activities. The CDU was created, with which it established a “commonwealth” relationship; the Christian Social Union (CSU) was created in Bavaria; this party bloc began to be called the CDU / CSU. The liberal democracy camp was represented by the Free Democratic Party (FDP).

The US and UK soon became convinced that a revival of the German economy was vital to the recovery of Western Europe. The Americans and the British moved to coordinated actions. The first steps towards the unification of the western zones were taken at the end of 1946, when the American and British administrations agreed to unite the economic management of their zones from January 1, 1947. The so-called Bisonia was formed. The Bisonia administration received the status of parliament, i.e. purchased political rice. In 1948, the French also annexed their zone in Bisonia. The result was Trizonia.

In June 1948, the Reichsmark was replaced by the new "Deutsche Mark". The healthy tax base created by the new currency helped Germany join the Marshall Plan in 1949.

Currency reform led to the first clash between West and East as the Cold War began. In an effort to isolate their occupation zone from the influence of the Western economy, the Soviet leadership rejected both assistance under the Marshall Plan and the introduction of a new currency in its zone. It also relied on the introduction of the German mark in Berlin, but the Western Allies insisted that the new currency become legal tender in the western sectors of the city. To prevent the new brand from entering Berlin, the Soviet administration prevented cargo transportation from the west to Berlin by rail and highway. On June 23, 1948, the supply of Berlin by rail and road transport was completely blocked. The so-called Berlin crisis arose. The Western powers organized an intensive air supply (“air bridge”), which provided everything necessary not only to the military garrisons of Berlin, but also to its civilian population. On May 11, 1949, the Soviet side admitted defeat and ended the blockade. The Berlin crisis is over.

Increasing confrontation between the USSR and Western countries makes it impossible to create a unified German state. In August 1949, general parliamentary elections were held in West Germany, which brought victory to the CDU/CSU party, and on September 7 the creation of the Federal Republic of Germany was proclaimed. In response, on October 7, 1949, the German Democratic Republic was proclaimed in the east of the country. So, in the fall of 1949, the split in Germany received legal formalization.

1952 The USA, England and France signed an agreement with Germany, according to which the formal occupation of West Germany ended, but their troops remained on German territory. In 1955, an agreement was signed between the USSR and the GDR on the full sovereignty and independence of the GDR.

West German "economic miracle"

In the parliamentary elections (Bundestag) of 1949, two leading political forces were determined: the CDU/CSU (139 mandates), the SPD (131 mandates) and the “third force” - the FDP (52 mandates). The CDU/CSU and FDP formed a parliamentary coalition, which allowed them to create a joint government. This is how a “two-and-a-half” party model developed in Germany (in contrast to the two-party model in the USA and Great Britain). This model continued in the future.

The first chancellor (head of government) of the Federal Republic of Germany was the Christian Democrat K. Adenauer (he held this position from 1949 to 1963). A characteristic feature of his political style was the desire for stability. An equally important circumstance was the implementation of an exceptionally effective economic course. Its ideologist was the permanent Minister of Economics of the Federal Republic of Germany L. Erhard.

The model of social market economy created as a result of Erhard's policies was based on the concept of ordoliberalism (from the German "Ordung" - order). Ordoliberals advocated the free market mechanism, not despite, but because of government intervention. They saw the basis of economic well-being in the strengthening of economic order. The state was given key functions. Its intervention was supposed to replace the action of market mechanisms, and create conditions for their effective functioning.

A difficult period of economic reform occurred in 1949-1950, when the liberalization of pricing caused an increase in prices with a relative decrease in the level of income of the population, and the restructuring of production was accompanied by a surge in unemployment. But already in 1951 there was a turning point, and in 1952 the rise in prices stopped and the unemployment rate began to decline. In subsequent years, unprecedented economic growth occurred: 9-10% per year, and in 1953-1956 - up to 10-15% per year. Germany came to second place among Western countries in terms of industrial production (and was only surpassed by Japan in the late 60s). Large exports made it possible to create a significant gold reserve in the country. The German currency has become the strongest in Europe. In the second half of the 50s, unemployment practically disappeared, and real incomes tripled. Until 1964, the gross national product (GNP) of Germany increased 3 times, and it began to produce more products than the entire pre-war Germany. At that time they started talking about the German “economic miracle”.

The West German “economic miracle” was due to a number of factors. The economic system Erhard chose, where liberal market mechanisms were combined with targeted tax and credit policies of the state, proved its effectiveness. Erhard managed to achieve the adoption of strong anti-monopoly legislation. A significant role was played by revenues from the Marshall Plan, the lack of military spending (before Germany joined NATO), as well as the influx of foreign investment ($350 billion). In German industry, which was destroyed during the war, there was a massive renewal of fixed capital. The introduction of new technologies that accompanied this process, combined with the traditionally high efficiency and discipline of the German population, caused a rapid increase in labor productivity.

Agriculture developed successfully. As a result of the agrarian reform of 1948-1949, carried out with the assistance of the occupation authorities, a redistribution of land property was carried out. As a result, most of the land fund passed from large owners to medium and small ones. In subsequent years, the share of people employed in agriculture steadily decreased, but widespread mechanization and electrification of peasant labor made it possible to ensure an overall increase in output in this sector.

The social policy that encouraged direct relationships between entrepreneurs and workers turned out to be very successful. The government acted under the motto: “Neither capital without labor, nor labor without capital can exist.” Pension funds, housing construction, a system of free and preferential education, and vocational training were expanded. The rights of labor collectives in the field of production management were expanded, but their political activities were prohibited. The remuneration system was differentiated depending on the length of service at a particular enterprise. In 1960, the “Law for the Protection of the Rights of Youth at Work” was passed, and since 1963, minimum leave for all workers was introduced. Tax policy encouraged the transfer of part of the wage fund into special “people's shares”, which were distributed among the enterprise’s employees. All these government measures made it possible to ensure adequate growth in the purchasing power of the population in conditions of economic recovery. Germany was in the midst of a consumer boom.

In 1950, Germany became a member of the Council of Europe and began to take an active part in negotiations on European integration projects. In 1954, Germany became a member of the Western European Union, and in 1955 joined NATO. In 1957, Germany became one of the founders of the European Economic Community (EEC).

In the 60s, a regrouping of political forces took place in Germany. The FDP supported the SPD, and, having formed a new coalition, these two parties formed a government in 1969. This coalition lasted until the early 80s. During this period, the chancellors were the Social Democrats W. Brandt (1969-1974) and G. Schmidt (1974-1982).

A new political regrouping occurred in the early 80s. The FDP supported the CDU/CSU and left the coalition with the SPD. In 1982, Christian Democrat G. Kohl became chancellor (he held this post until 1998). He was destined to become chancellor of a united Germany.

German reunification

For forty post-war years, Germany was divided into two states by the Cold War front. The GDR was increasingly losing to West Germany in terms of economic growth and living standards. The symbol of the Cold War and the division of the German nation was the Berlin Wall, built in 1961 to prevent the citizens of the GDR from fleeing to the West.

In 1989, a revolution began in the GDR. The main demand of the participants in the revolutionary uprisings was the unification of Germany. In October 1989, the leader of the East German communists, E. Honecker, resigned, and on November 9, the Berlin Wall fell. The unification of Germany became a practically feasible task.

It was no longer possible to contain the process of German unification. But in the West and East of the country, different approaches to the future unification have been formed. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany provided for the reunification of Germany as the process of the annexation of the lands of East Germany to the Federal Republic of Germany and assumed the liquidation of the GDR as a state. The leadership of the GDR sought to achieve unification through a confederal union.

However, in the elections in March 1990, the GDR won the non-communist opposition led by the Christian Democrats. From the very beginning they advocated the speedy reunification of Germany on the basis of the Federal Republic of Germany. On June 1, the German mark was introduced into the GDR. On August 31, an agreement was signed between the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic on the establishment of state unity.

All that remained was to agree on the unification of Germany with 4 states - the USSR, the USA, Great Britain and France. For this purpose, negotiations were held according to the “2 + 4” formula, that is, between the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic, on the one hand, and the victorious powers (USSR, USA, Great Britain and France), on the other. The Soviet Union made a fundamentally important concession - it agreed to the continued membership of a united Germany in NATO and the withdrawal of Soviet troops from East Germany. On September 12, 1990, the Treaty on the Final Settlement regarding Germany was signed.

On October 3, 1990, 5 lands restored on the territory of East Germany became part of the Federal Republic of Germany, and the GDR ceased to exist. On December 20, 1990, the first Spilnonym government was formed, headed by Chancellor G. Kohl.

Economic and social achievements, problems of the 90s

Contrary to optimistic forecasts, the socio-economic consequences of German unification turned out to be ambiguous. The East Germans' hopes for the miraculous economic effect of unification were not justified. The main problem was the transfer of the command-administrative economy of the 5 eastern lands to the principles of a market economy. This process was carried out without strategic planning, through trial and error. The most “shocking” option for transforming the economy of East Germany was chosen. Its features include the introduction of private property, the decisive denationalization of state-owned enterprises, the short period of transition to a market economy, etc. Moreover, East Germany received socio-economic and political forms of organizing society immediately and in a ready-made form.

Adaptation of the economy of the eastern lands to new conditions was quite painful and led to a reduction in industrial production in them to 1/3 of the previous level. The German economy emerged from the state of crisis caused by the unification of the country and negative trends in the world economy only in 1994. However, the structural restructuring of industry and adaptation to the new conditions of a market economy caused a sharp increase in unemployment. In the mid-90s, it covered more than 12% of the workforce (more than 4 million people). The most difficult employment situation was in East Germany, where the unemployment rate exceeded 15% and average wages lagged significantly behind those in the “old lands.” All this, as well as the influx of foreign workers, caused growing social tension in German society. In the summer of 1996, mass protests organized by trade unions broke out.

G. Kohl called for comprehensive savings. The government had to make an unprecedented increase in taxes, which amounted to more than half of total earnings, and a drastic reduction in government spending, including economic support for the eastern lands. All this, as well as G. Kohl’s policy of further reducing social programs, ultimately led to the defeat of the ruling conservative-liberal coalition in the next parliamentary elections.

Social Democrats coming to power

The 1998 elections brought victory to the new coalition, which was formed by the SPD (received 40.9% of the vote) and the Green Party (6.7%). Before officially joining the coalition, both parties developed a large, well-executed government program. It included measures to reduce unemployment, revise the tax system, close 19 nuclear power plants, the remaining ones, etc. The government of the “pink-green” coalition was headed by Social Democrat G. Schröder. In the context of the economic recovery that began, the policies of the new government turned out to be very effective. The new government did not abandon savings in government spending. But these savings were achieved not by curtailing state social programs, but mainly through land budgets.

At the beginning of the 21st century, Germany, with its 80 million population, became the largest state in Western Europe. In terms of industrial production and level of economic development, it ranks third in the world, second only to the USA and Japan.

After the surrender of Germany, the eastern regions of the country - Saxony, Thuringia, Mecklenburg and Brandenburg - with a territory of 108 thousand square meters. km and a population of 17 million people moved to the zone of occupation of the USSR. Berlin was in the Soviet zone of occupation, but by decision of the Potsdam Conference it was divided into four zones, three of which were under the control of the Western powers.

At the end of June - July 1945, the main political parties took shape in eastern Germany - the communist (KPD), the social democratic (SPD), the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Liberal Democratic (LCPD). In April 1946, the KPD and SPD merged into a single party called the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED). The ultimate goal of the party was the construction of socialism in Germany.

Proclamation of the GDR

By order of the SVAG (Soviet Military Administration of Germany), the property of German monopolies, war criminals, and the fascist party was expropriated. On this basis, the foundation of state ownership was created. Local governments were created, where the SED played a leading role. In December 1947, the First German People's Congress took place in Berlin, which advocated for the unity of Germany and marked the beginning of the movement for its democratic reconstruction. II German People's Congress in 1948 elected the German People's Council as the executive body of the movement. In May 1949, the Third German People's Congress approved the text of the constitution, which was to become the basis of the post-war state system in Germany. On October 7, 1949, the German Democratic Republic was proclaimed. Almost all leadership positions were occupied by SED representatives. Wilhelm Pieck, a veteran of the revolutionary movement in Germany, became the president of the republic, and Otto Grotewohl became the prime minister. The German People's Council was transformed into a temporary People's Chamber (parliament), which adopted the country's constitution. The Constitution established the dictatorship of the proletariat as the basis of state power. In addition to the SED, there were three other political parties in the GDR - the CDU, the Democratic Peasants' Party of Germany (DKPD) and the National Democratic Party (NDP). Some of them existed formally, while others had no influence. Soon they were finished too. During the political struggle, the CDU and LDPD ceased to exist. Their liquidation was followed by elections to the People's Chamber of the GDR, in which the Democratic Bloc, where the leading role belonged to representatives of the SED, won.

Construction of socialism

In July 1950, the Third Congress of the SED approved a five-year economic development plan. During the five-year plan, 79 enterprises were restored and 100 new enterprises were built, among them shipyards in Rostock, Wismar, Stralsund and Warnemünde, and two large metallurgical plants. Such gigantic construction was reminiscent of the USSR in the late 20s and early 30s. However, it soon became clear that the GDR did not have the funds to continue such construction. It was necessary to reduce allocations for social purposes. In the country, food was distributed on ration cards, wages were low. The cooperative movement that began in the countryside finally ruined the country's national economy.

Against the background of economic success (Federal Republic of Germany 1949-1990), the situation in the GDR (German Democratic Republic 1949-1990) seemed catastrophic. Dissatisfaction with the existing regime began in the republic, which on June 16-17, 1953 grew into an open protest against the existing system. Demonstrations took place throughout the country and work was stopped. Shops in cities were looted and set on fire. Weapons were used against the rebels. Three days later the uprising was suppressed and order was restored. These performances were assessed as a “fascist putsch” organized by “provocateurs” from Germany.

Nevertheless, the leadership of the GDR was forced to make concessions: the production of consumer goods increased, prices decreased slightly, and the USSR refused to further collect reparations. At the same time, a course was set for the accelerated development of the socialist foundations of the economy. During the 50s, the “socialization” of industry was carried out, as a result of which it was nationalized and private capital was liquidated. The complete collectivization of the village began. The year 1960 was called the “socialist spring in the countryside,” when free farming was eliminated and agricultural production cooperatives took its place. 84% of all agricultural areas were already cultivated by cooperatives.

Development of the country's economy

As a result of the measures taken, it was possible to overcome the economic crisis and increase quantitative indicators. During the period from 1960 to 1983, gross industrial output increased 3.5 times. New industries that are important for scientific and technological progress developed at a particularly high pace. They accounted for approximately 40% of all goods produced. Complex automation was deployed in industry. Its own industry of electronic computers was created. In terms of production volume, the GDR entered the top ten industrialized countries of the world and ranked fifth in Europe by this indicator.

The rapid growth of industrial production was accompanied by an equally rapid growth of the public sector in the economy. Structural reforms in industry carried out in 1972 led to the fact that the state's share in gross industrial production increased from 83 to 99%. As a result, the entire industry began to work on the shaft, that is, on quantitative indicators. Most of the enterprises were unprofitable, and losses were covered by other enterprises. The rapid growth of industrial production was mainly due to heavy industry (here, over 23 years, production increased 4 times), and the production of consumer goods increased only 2.5 times.

At the same time, agriculture developed at an extremely slow pace.

German reunification

In May 1971, Erich Honecker was elected first secretary of the SED. He managed to improve the economic situation of the country and raise the living standards of the population. But this had no impact on the further development of the country. The people demanded Democratization. Demonstrations took place throughout the country demanding democratic reforms and truly free general elections. A mass exodus of the population from the country began. Over the course of 10 years, from 1970 to 1980, the population of the GDR decreased by almost a million people: they all fled to the Federal Republic of Germany.

Erich Honecker (1912-1995) - Chairman of the State Council of the GDR (1976-1989), General Secretary of the Central Committee of the SED (1976-1989). In October 1989, he was removed from all posts and expelled from the SED in December.

The leadership of the GDR established a “draconian” regime on the border, closing the country from the outside world with barbed wire. The order was given to shoot at all refugees, regardless of gender and age. Border posts have been strengthened. But this did not help prevent a mass exodus from the GDR.

On October 7, 1989, when the leadership of the GDR was going to solemnly celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first socialist state in German history, mass rallies and demonstrations swept across the country, demanding the resignation of E. Honecker, the unification of Germany and the elimination of the power of the SED.

On October 7-9, 1989, tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Berlin, Dresden, Leipzig and other cities, demanding fundamental changes in the country. As a result of the police dispersal of the demonstration, 3 thousand people were arrested. However, this did not stop the movement against the existing system. On November 4, 1989, more than 500 thousand people took to the streets of Berlin.

Elections held on a multi-party basis on March 18, 1990 led to victory for the CDU party. It received 41% of the vote, the Social Democrats 21%, and the SED only 16%. A new coalition government was created, consisting of representatives of the CDU and Social Democrats. The government immediately raised the issue of German unification. Negotiations began between Germany and the USSR on a solution to the German problem, and on September 12, 1990, Chancellor He. Kohl and USSR President M. Gorbachev signed the Treaty on the final settlement in relation to Germany. At the same time, the issue of the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Germany by the end of 1994 was resolved. On October 3, 1990, Germany became united.

Consequences of the country's unification

The consequences of such a rapid unification were severe for both parts of Germany. Throughout the entire territory of the former GDR, deindustrialization occurred, reminiscent of a general collapse of industry. The entire economic system of the GDR turned out to be unprofitable and uncompetitive. Even after the measures taken by the German government to support the industry of the eastern territories, its products did not find sales in the West German market, not to mention the world market. At the same time, all markets in eastern Germany were absorbed by West German industrialists, who thus received new opportunities for their development.

For Germany, the most serious problem was the restoration of East German industry on a solid market basis. The state is annually forced to provide 150 billion marks of subsidies to raise it. Another problem was unemployment, about 13% of the working population of eastern Germany are unemployed, not counting those who work part-time or whose jobs are artificially subsidized by special government programs.

Summary

1945 - East Berlin - in the Soviet zone of occupation, West Berlin - under the control of Western states
July 1945 - formation of the KPD, SPD, CDU and LDPG parties; April 1946 - The KPD and SPD unite to form the SED
the property of German monopolies was nationalized and transferred to state ownership
October 7, 1949 - proclamation of the GDR. President - V. Pik
50s - economic difficulties, transition to a card system, reduction in allocations for social needs
60s - nationalization of all industry, complete collectivization in the countryside. The economic crisis has been overcome
70s - in terms of production volume, the GDR is among the top ten industrialized countries and ranks fifth in Europe
May 1971 - Erich Honecker leads the country. Attempts to improve the economic situation. Demonstrations demanding democratization
mass exodus to Germany
October 7, 1989 - mass rallies: demand for the unification of Germany and the elimination of the power of the SED
March 18, 1990 - multi-party elections
October 3, 1990 - German reunification. Solving the problems of restoring GDR industry

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GDR in the 50-90s. Updated: December 6, 2016 By: admin

Austria left the empire. Alsace and Lorraine returned to French protection. Czechoslovakia received back the Sudetenland. Statehood was restored in Luxembourg.

Part of Poland's territory, annexed by the Germans in 1939, returned to Poland. The eastern part of Prussia was divided between the USSR and Poland.

The remainder of Germany was divided by the Allies into four zones of occupation, administered by Soviet, British, American and military authorities. The countries that took part in the occupation of German lands agreed to pursue a coordinated policy, the main principles of which were denazification and demilitarization of the former German Empire.

Education Germany

A few years later, in 1949, the Federal Republic of Germany was proclaimed on the territory of the American, British and French occupation zones, which became Bonn. Western politicians thus planned to create in this part of Germany a state built on a capitalist model, which could become a springboard for a possible war with the communist regime.

The Americans provided considerable support to the new bourgeois Germans. Thanks to this support, Germany quickly began to transform into an economically developed power. In the 50s they even talked about the “German economic miracle.”

The country needed cheap labor, the main source of which was Türkiye.

How did the German Democratic Republic come into being?

The response to the creation of the Federal Republic of Germany was the proclamation of the constitution of another German republic - the GDR. This happened in October 1949, five months after the formation of the Federal Republic of Germany. In this way, the Soviet state decided to resist the intentions of its former allies and create a kind of stronghold of socialism in Western Europe.

The Constitution of the German Democratic Republic proclaimed democratic freedoms to its citizens. This document also established the role of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany. For a long time, the Soviet Union provided the government of the GDR with political and economic assistance.

However, in terms of the rate of industrial growth, the GDR, which had taken the socialist path of development, lagged significantly behind its western neighbor. But this did not prevent East Germany from becoming a developed industrial country, where agriculture also developed intensively. After a series of rapid democratic transformations in the GDR, German unity was restored; on October 3, 1990, the Federal Republic of Germany and the GDR became a state.

Excessive aggressiveness can have a negative impact on all aspects of life. Intemperate behavior spoils relationships with others, prevents you from achieving success in your career, and negatively affects the atmosphere in the family. Learn to cope with strong emotions.

Instructions

Think about what doesn't suit you in your life in a global sense. Maybe you are unhappy with the way your personal life is going. Then, until you improve your relationship with your partner, aggressiveness and irritability may be your companions. Perhaps you hate your job. Think about changing your job or profession. Unresolved issues in areas of life that are important to you can affect both your mood and your character.

Analyze your expectations of other people. Maybe you are too demanding of those around you, and when people's behavior doesn't match your standards, you get angry. Understand that no one owes you anything. Treat the actions and words of others more leniently, then there will be no disappointment in them, which results in aggression.

Find a way to express your emotions. Get physically active. Going to the gym or going to group classes reduces aggression. Swimming very well relaxes not only the muscles, but also the nervous system. Yoga calms the mind and promotes harmony between soul and body.

Imagine how you look from the outside in those moments when you are overcome by aggression: a crazy look, sudden movements, a red face, hysterical notes in your voice. The portrait is not very attractive. Ask close friends or family to discreetly record you on video when you are angry. Look back at the recording later and realize that this is how you look in the eyes of others. Perhaps this experiment will show you how important it is to work on expressing your emotions.

Discuss problems with family members and colleagues as soon as they arise. Do this in a calm environment. Don't be silent if something doesn't suit you. While you can respond to the situation calmly, resolve the issue in an atmosphere of trust and understanding. This way you won’t drive yourself into a frenzy and will save yourself from some of the problems.

Use different methods to calm your nerves. Breathing exercises may help you. Practice holding your breath while inhaling or exhaling, alternately closing your right and left nostril. Breathe either deeply and slowly, or often and energetically. Washing with cold water and slowly counting to yourself to 10 helps you come to your senses.

Become more feminine. Perhaps accepting your feminine side will help you get rid of excessive aggressiveness. Start wearing romantic dresses and skirts, wear heels. Feel like a real lady who shouldn’t lose her face. Make your movements smoother and your voice gentle. Don't forget about your friendly smile. Sometimes internal changes come through a transformation of appearance.

Learn to deal with annoying little things more easily. Sometimes they become the last straw and provoke an explosion of negative emotions. Be realistic. Consider whether a particular unfortunate incident will matter to you in a few years.

Everyone wants to achieve success in life. This is possible if you have a clear goal in front of you and try to achieve it. Determination is a quality that can be cultivated in oneself.

Instructions

Start cultivating a sense of purpose right now, without waiting until next Monday. Before the beginning of next week, you will have time to change your mind a thousand times, and you will have to forget about the decision.

Set yourself some goals. What would you like to achieve in principle? What would you like to do in the next year, month, day? Write it all down and give approximate dates.

Write down tasks that require enough time on a separate page and divide them into smaller subsections. When setting yourself the goal of learning a foreign language or enrolling in a higher educational institution, plan by what time you must learn grammar, learn