GDR Topic One - Formation of the GDR
Division in Germany
● Many believed the divisions would only be temporary
● GDR constitution was drawn up to be similar to the FRGs to accommodate for future
reunification
● Germanys size meant it had the potential to become economically powerful
● Argument that the FRG was set up to control Stalins communism spreading
● Some western Germans wanted rapid intergration
Soviet Zone
● February 1945 - Yalta conference allocated each power a zone of Germany
● Berlin was in Soviet zone, meaning Western allies could only access their zone via
train
● Each power was able to take reparations from its zone, Stalin done so ruthlessly
● Justified it was for 25 million soviet lives lost
● Western allies couldnt oppose as they needed access to Berlin
Socialist Unity Party
● 30th April 1945 - Walter Ulbricht arrived in Germany from exile
● Ulbricht wanted KPD (communist) to control but SPD (Socialist) was more popular
● April 1946 - 600,000 KPD and 700,000 SPD joined to create SED
● A result of wanting to avoid having two leading socialist parties rivalled
● Ulbricht immediately ensured the communists were more dominating
● By 1950, 5,000 former SPDs had been arrested
Disagreements
● Summer 1945 - Potsdam conference showed clearly strained relations
● Western allies thought weak economy would appeal people to communism
Bizonia + Truman Doctrine
● January 1947 - US and Britain combined their zones after a year of secret
discussion
● Stalin saw this as a deliberate step towards a independent west state
● Policy of containment (march 1947) - prevent communism by expressing
concern
● Truman doctrine (march 1947) - USA provided military support for those under
threat of communism
● June 1948 - Deutschmark created, essential for boosting trade, productivity and get
rid of black market
● USSR saw this as an act of aggression
Berlin Airlift
● Stalins retaliation to the new currency
● Blocked of Berlin so West would surrender their zone
● June 23rd 1948 - all roads blocked
● Used aircrafts to transport goods, dangerous conditions and poor aircrafts
● Aircraft landing every 90 seconds
, ● Stalin called of the blockade in May 1989
IMPACT
● Displayed western commitment to protecting its zone
● Creation of NATO
● Shows unity of the west vs stalin
Formation of the FRG
● More support for Christian Democratic UNion
● Wanted rapid formation of a western state
● Allies one upped stalin
● May 1949 - FRG formed
Formation of the GDR
● Meeting in moscow in August 1949 to form GDR
● Set up in October 1949
● Ulbricht was first secretary
● Stalin still suggested Germany could be reunited but this was disregarded by West
Division in Germany
● Many believed the divisions would only be temporary
● GDR constitution was drawn up to be similar to the FRGs to accommodate for future
reunification
● Germanys size meant it had the potential to become economically powerful
● Argument that the FRG was set up to control Stalins communism spreading
● Some western Germans wanted rapid intergration
Soviet Zone
● February 1945 - Yalta conference allocated each power a zone of Germany
● Berlin was in Soviet zone, meaning Western allies could only access their zone via
train
● Each power was able to take reparations from its zone, Stalin done so ruthlessly
● Justified it was for 25 million soviet lives lost
● Western allies couldnt oppose as they needed access to Berlin
Socialist Unity Party
● 30th April 1945 - Walter Ulbricht arrived in Germany from exile
● Ulbricht wanted KPD (communist) to control but SPD (Socialist) was more popular
● April 1946 - 600,000 KPD and 700,000 SPD joined to create SED
● A result of wanting to avoid having two leading socialist parties rivalled
● Ulbricht immediately ensured the communists were more dominating
● By 1950, 5,000 former SPDs had been arrested
Disagreements
● Summer 1945 - Potsdam conference showed clearly strained relations
● Western allies thought weak economy would appeal people to communism
Bizonia + Truman Doctrine
● January 1947 - US and Britain combined their zones after a year of secret
discussion
● Stalin saw this as a deliberate step towards a independent west state
● Policy of containment (march 1947) - prevent communism by expressing
concern
● Truman doctrine (march 1947) - USA provided military support for those under
threat of communism
● June 1948 - Deutschmark created, essential for boosting trade, productivity and get
rid of black market
● USSR saw this as an act of aggression
Berlin Airlift
● Stalins retaliation to the new currency
● Blocked of Berlin so West would surrender their zone
● June 23rd 1948 - all roads blocked
● Used aircrafts to transport goods, dangerous conditions and poor aircrafts
● Aircraft landing every 90 seconds
, ● Stalin called of the blockade in May 1989
IMPACT
● Displayed western commitment to protecting its zone
● Creation of NATO
● Shows unity of the west vs stalin
Formation of the FRG
● More support for Christian Democratic UNion
● Wanted rapid formation of a western state
● Allies one upped stalin
● May 1949 - FRG formed
Formation of the GDR
● Meeting in moscow in August 1949 to form GDR
● Set up in October 1949
● Ulbricht was first secretary
● Stalin still suggested Germany could be reunited but this was disregarded by West
