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Stabilisation and control in the GDR, 1962 to 87
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After the Wall, the GDR tried to build a working socialist economy and kept tight control over its people.
Economic reforms
The New Economic System (from 1963) gave factory managers more freedom and used incentives and profits.
It was replaced by the Economic System of Socialism (1967 to 71), then by stricter central planning under Honecker.
The GDR traded mainly within Comecon and became one of the richest Eastern bloc states, though behind West Germany.
It was replaced by the Economic System of Socialism (1967 to 71), then by stricter central planning under Honecker.
The GDR traded mainly within Comecon and became one of the richest Eastern bloc states, though behind West Germany.
The Stasi
The Stasi (Ministry for State Security) was the secret police.
It used a huge network of informers, tapped phones, opened letters and kept files on millions of people.
Critics could lose jobs or university places, or be imprisoned.
It used a huge network of informers, tapped phones, opened letters and kept files on millions of people.
Critics could lose jobs or university places, or be imprisoned.
Propaganda and censorship
The ruling party, the SED, controlled the media; Western TV was officially discouraged but widely watched.
Books, films and music were censored.
The FDJ (Free German Youth) organised young people.
Books, films and music were censored.
The FDJ (Free German Youth) organised young people.
Explain how the Stasi kept control in the GDR.
- It used a vast network of informers in workplaces and neighbourhoods.
- It spied on people through phone taps and opened letters.
- Fear of being reported discouraged people from criticising the state.
Answer: Its huge informer network and surveillance created fear that stopped dissent.
Economic reform: the New Economic System (1963) and Economic System of Socialism (1967 to 71), then stricter planning; trade within Comecon. Control: the Stasi's informers and files. Propaganda and censorship by the SED; the FDJ for youth.
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