East Germany A Country Study

Citation preview

area

East

handbook

series

Germany

a country study

i

i

East

Germany

a country study Federal Research Division Library of

Congress Edited by

Stephen R. Burant Research Completed July 1987

On

the cover: Looking across the Karl Marx Bridge Marx-Engels Square in East Berlin

Third Edition,

to

First Printing, 1988.

Copyright ®1988 United States Government as represented by the Secretary of the

Army.

All rights reserved.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data East

Germany

(DA pam

:

a country study.

550-155) "Research completed July 1987." ;

Bibliography: p. 381. Includes index. Supt. of Docs, no.: D 101.22:155/987 1. Germany (East) I. Burant, Stephen R., 1954II. Library of Congress. Federal Research Division.

DD280.6.E22

1988

943.1087

Army

Headquarters, Department of the

DA Pam

III.

550-155

Kor sale by [he Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office

Washington,

DC.

20402

Series.

87-600490

Foreword

This volume is one in a continuing series of books now being prepared by the Federal Research Division of the Library of Con-

—

under the Country Studies Area Handbook Program. The page of this book lists the other published studies. Most books in the series deal with a particular foreign country, describing and analyzing its political, economic, social, and national security systems and institutions, and examining the interrelationships of those systems and the ways they are shaped by cultural factors. Each study is written by a multidisciplinary team of social scientists. The authors seek to provide a basic understanding of the observed society, striving for a dynamic rather than a static portrayal. Particular attention is devoted to the people who make up the society, their origins, dominant beliefs and values, their common interests and the issues on which they are divided, the nature and extent of their involvement with national institutions, and their attitudes toward each other and toward their social system and gress

last

political order.

The books represent the analysis of the authors and should not be construed as an expression of an official United States government position, policy, or decision. The authors have sought to adhere to accepted standards of scholarly objectivity. Corrections, additions, and suggestions for changes from readers will be welcomed for use in future editions. Carol Migdalovitz Acting Chief Federal Research Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C. 20540

111

Acknowledgments

The authors wish

to

acknowledge

their use

and adaptation of

substantial portions of the 1982 edition of East Germany:

A

Country

which was edited by Eugene K. Keefe. The authors of the 1982 edition whose work was used in this edition were as follows: Rosalyn L. Unger, "Historical Setting"; Sallie M. Hicks, "The Society and Its Environment"; Arthur A. Stahnke, "The Economy"; John M. Starrels, "Government and Politics"; William P. Baxter, "National Security"; and Carl H. McMillan, "The Coun-

Study,

Mutual Economic Assistance." The authors are also grateWayne Merry of the Department of State, who provided information and insights on East German affairs. Robert E. McKeown and Scott McKnight furnished their expertise on the National People's Army. None of the individuals is responsible for cil

for

ful to

E.

the contents of this edition, however.

members who made significant constudy. The authors owe spe-

In addition, the authors express their appreciation to of the Federal Research Division staff tributions to the preparation of this

thanks to Richard Nyrop, who supplied invaluable help and all stages of the production process. Thanks go also to Marilyn L. Majeska, who edited the manuscript and oversaw its production, and to editorial assistants Barbara Edgerton and Izella Watson, who helped prepare the manuscript. Invaluable graphics support was provided by David P. Cabitto and his assistants, Sandra K. Cotugno and Kimberly A. Lord. Thanks are owed to Susan M. Lender, who reviewed the map drafts, and Harriett R. Blood, who prepared the final maps. Stanley M. Sciora furnished detailed information on the ranks and insignia of the East cial

suggestions at

German armed forces, in addition to the forces of the other members of the Warsaw Pact. The index was prepared by Editorial Andrea T. Merrill performed the final prepublicaDiann J. Johnson, of the Library of Congress Com-

Experts, and tion review.

posing Unit, prepared the camera-ready copy under the supervision of Peggy Pixley. Finally, the authors wish to note the generosity of individuals and private agencies who provided photographs for use in this book. The authors are especially grateful for original work not previously

published.

v

Contents

Page

Foreword

iii

Acknowledgments

v

Preface

Country

xiii

Profile

xxi

Introduction

Chapter

1.

xxvii

Historical Setting

l

James Gallagher

EARLY HISTORY

4

Ancient Period

4

Medieval Germany The Reformation and the Thirty Years' War The End of the Holy Roman Empire and the Rise

9

Prussia

14

of Metternich

14

Reform Movement Bismarck and Unification Liberal

15

16

IMPERIAL GERMANY Political

of 11

GERMAN CONFEDERATION Age

5

18

Consolidation

18

Bismarck's Fall

19

Industrial Expansion

20

Wilhelmine Era

20

World War

22

I

WEIMAR REPUBLIC Weimar

25

Constitution

Problems of Parliamentary Stresemann Era

25 Politics

27

28

Weimar Culture

29

and

31

Hitler

the Rise of National Socialism

THIRD REICH

34

Consolidation of Power Mobilization for

War

Foreign Policy

World War

II

34 35

36 38

Holocaust

40

Internal Resistance

41

vii

GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

42

Postwar Government

42

Integration into the Soviet System

45

Collectivization

and Nationalization of Agriculture

and Industry

New Economic

47

System

48

Ulbricht Versus Detente

50

Honecker and East-West Rapprochement Two Germanies Tenth Party Congress

52

Chapter

2.

The Society and

Its

Environment

53 55 57

Stephen R. Burant

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

61

Boundaries

61

Topography

63

POPULATION Historical

65

Trends

66

Population Structure and Dynamics

67

Settlement Patterns

68

THE GERMAN PEOPLE

70

Origins, Language, and Culture

71

The German Question Today: One Nation or

Two?

73

Minority Groups

82

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

83

The Working Class The Political Elite The Creative Intelligentsia The Technical Intelligentsia

85

90 92 93

INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANS OF SOCIETY

103

Religion and Religious Organizations

108

95 97

DISSENT Chapter

95

The Family Mass Organizations The Educational System

112 3.

The Economy

117 Becky A. Gates

RESOURCE BASE LABOR FORCE ECONOMIC STRUCTURE AND ITS CONTROL MECHANISMS ECONOMIC POLICY AND PERFORMANCE vin

120 120

122

129

ECONOMIC SECTORS

.

136

Mining, Energy, and Industry

136

Agriculture

138

Transportation and Communications

140

BANKING, FINANCE, AND CURRENCY

144

FOREIGN TRADE THE CONSUMER IN THE EAST GERMAN ECONOMY

147

THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN, Chapter

4.

1986-90

Government and

.

.

154 157

.

Politics

161

Susan Larson

CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK

164

Constitution of 1949

164

Constitution of 1968

166

Amendments

166

of 1974

THE STATE APPARATUS

167

Council of Ministers

168

Council of State

170

Legislature District

171

and Local Government

174

Judiciary

175