Table of Contents
Why the East German citizens ran away from East Germany?
Escapees had various motives for attempting to flee East Germany. The vast majority had an essentially economic motive: they wished to improve their living conditions and opportunities in the West. Some fled for political reasons, but many were impelled to leave by specific social and political events.
What divided East and West Germany?
The Potsdam Agreement was made between the major winners of World War II (US, UK, and USSR) on 1 August 1945, in which Germany was separated into spheres of influence during the Cold War between the Western Bloc and Eastern Bloc.
What happened to East Germany in 1989?
The fall of East Germany in 1989 August-September: Thousands of East Germans flee to the West across Hungary’s border with Austria; others flee via Czechoslovakia 9 October: Unprecedented crowd of 70,000 demonstrates in central Leipzig demanding freedom 18 October: Communist leader Erich Honecker quits, replaced by Egon Krenz
What is the difference between East Germany and West Germany?
The German Democratic Republic, or GDR, also simply known as East Germany, was founded as a second German state on October 7, 1949 — four years after the end of World War II. The Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), or more commonly known as West Germany, was founded just four months prior.
What did East Germans think of the GDR?
Millions of East Germans secretly watched colourful, capitalist West German TV, even though that was illegal. They saw the West’s luxuries and plentiful consumer goods, but had little chance of going there. Meanwhile the communist GDR was grey, regimented and plagued by shortages.
What was it like in an interrogation room in East Germany?
The cell block and the interrogation rooms where separated by barred doors. To this day the linoleum floor still smells of the disinfectant used in East Germany. All 120 interrogation rooms were equipped with double padded doors, behind which inmates where subjected to hours of questioning over several months.