Lecture 8: East Germany, 1953-1961

1. Preliminary
   • Grading of questions and journals
   • Böll discussion next Tuesday
   • Talk this afternoon, 4-5pm, by a Russian historian about President Putin, HSSB 4020
2. Periods of GDR history (by GDR historians in the 1980s)
   • 1945-49: antifascist-democratic transformation
   • 1949-61: building the foundations of socialism
   • 1961-70: development of a socialist society
   • 1971-84: maturation of socialist society
   • [1985-1989: decay?]
3. The Farmers in the Dells of 1950s East and West Germany: What were the consequences?
   • East Germany: crisis and recovery
     • Economic problems
     • International repercussions after Stalin's death
     • Elites divided over new course
     • Ideological commitment to socialism
     • Opposition unable to organize effectively
   • West Germany: reconstruction without looking back (or forward)
     • Economic miracle (Wirtschaftswunder)
     • International support from the US
     • Elites from the Nazi era rehabilitated
     • Ideological commitment to democracy through capitalist economic success
     • Opposition to particular issues (remilitarization!) crushed (anti-democratically?)
4. Film clip, ca. 10 mins. from 1970s West German documentary about 1945-1955
   • Sept. 1952: Eric Nuschke with Soviet note on reunification: FREE ELECTIONS
   • 1953 W. German elections confirmed Adenauer
   • May 5, 1955: West Germany gains its sovereignty;
     • May: becomes member of NATO
     • Sept: Adenauer goes to Moscow
5. Source interpretations
   • George Marshall's March 1947 Moscow speech (R5)
     • economic issues at heart of matter
   • Eisenhower's July 1953 letter (R8)
     • Where along the EIEIO scale do his five points fit in?
     • What about his notes on p. 2?