The capital of Germany, Berlin, arose in the first half of the 13th century. Since 1486, the city has been the capital of Brandenburg (then Prussia), since 1871 - of Germany. From May 1943 to May 1945, Berlin suffered one of the most destructive bombings in world history. At the final stage of the Great Patriotic War(1941-1945) in Europe, Soviet troops completely captured the city on May 2, 1945. After the defeat of Nazi Germany, the territory of Berlin was divided into occupation zones: the eastern one - the USSR and the three western ones - the USA, Great Britain and France. On June 24, 1948, Soviet troops began the blockade of West Berlin.

In 1948, the Western powers authorized the heads of state governments in their zones of occupation to convene a parliamentary council to draft a constitution and prepare for the creation of a West German state. Its first meeting took place in Bonn on September 1, 1948. The constitution was adopted by the council on May 8, 1949, and on May 23 the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) was proclaimed. In response, in the eastern part controlled by the USSR, the German Democratic Republic (GDR) was proclaimed on October 7, 1949, and Berlin was declared its capital.

East Berlin covered an area of ​​403 square kilometers and was the largest city in East Germany by population.
West Berlin covered an area of ​​480 square kilometers.

At first, the border between the western and eastern parts of Berlin was open. The dividing line was 44.8 kilometers long (the total length of the border between West Berlin and the GDR was 164 kilometers) ran right through the streets and houses, the Spree River, and canals. Officially, there were 81 street checkpoints, 13 crossings in the metro and on the city railway.

In 1957, the West German government led by Konrad Adenauer enacted the Hallstein Doctrine, which provided for the automatic severance of diplomatic relations with any country that recognized the GDR.

In November 1958, the head of the Soviet government, Nikita Khrushchev, accused the Western powers of violating the Potsdam Agreements of 1945 and announced the Soviet Union's abolition international status Berlin. The Soviet government proposed turning West Berlin into a “demilitarized free city” and demanded that the United States, Great Britain and France negotiate on this topic within six months (“Khrushchev’s Ultimatum”). The Western powers rejected the ultimatum.

In August 1960, the GDR government introduced restrictions on visits by German citizens to East Berlin. In response, West Germany refused a trade agreement between both parts of the country, which the GDR regarded as an “economic war.”
After lengthy and difficult negotiations, the agreement was put into effect on January 1, 1961.

The situation worsened in the summer of 1961. The economic policy of the GDR, aimed at “catching up and overtaking the Federal Republic of Germany,” and the corresponding increase in production standards, economic difficulties, forced collectivization of 1957-1960, and higher wages in West Berlin encouraged thousands of GDR citizens to leave for the West.

Between 1949 and 1961, almost 2.7 million people left the GDR and East Berlin. Almost half of the refugee flow consisted of young people under the age of 25. Every day, about half a million people crossed the borders of the Berlin sectors in both directions, who could compare living conditions here and there. In 1960 alone, about 200 thousand people moved to the West.

At the meeting general secretaries Communist parties of the socialist countries On August 5, 1961, the GDR received the necessary consent from the Eastern European countries, and on August 7, at a meeting of the Politburo of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED - East German Communist Party), it was decided to close the border of the GDR with West Berlin and the Federal Republic of Germany. On August 12, a corresponding resolution was adopted by the Council of Ministers of the GDR.

In the early morning of August 13, 1961, temporary barriers were erected on the border with West Berlin, and cobblestones were dug up on the streets connecting East Berlin with West Berlin. The forces of the people's and transport police, as well as combat workers' squads, interrupted all transport links at the borders between the sectors. Under strict guard by East Berlin border guards, East Berlin construction workers began replacing barbed wire border fences with concrete slabs and hollow bricks. The border fortification complex also included residential buildings on Bernauer Strasse, where the sidewalks now belonged to the West Berlin district of Wedding and the houses on the south side of the street to the East Berlin district of Mitte. Then the GDR government ordered the doors of the houses and the windows of the lower floors to be walled up - residents could only get into their apartments through the entrance from the courtyard, which belonged to East Berlin. A wave of forced evictions of people from apartments began not only on Bernauer Strasse, but also in other border zones.

From 1961 to 1989, the Berlin Wall was rebuilt several times along many sections of the border. At first it was built of stone, and then was replaced by reinforced concrete. In 1975, the last reconstruction of the wall began. The wall was built from 45 thousand concrete blocks measuring 3.6 by 1.5 meters, which were rounded at the top to make it difficult to escape. Outside the city, this front barrier also included metal bars.
By 1989, the total length of the Berlin Wall was 155 kilometers, the intra-city border between East and West Berlin was 43 kilometers, the border between West Berlin and the GDR (outer ring) was 112 kilometers. Closest to West Berlin, the front concrete barrier wall reached a height of 3.6 meters. It encircled the entire western sector of Berlin.

The concrete fence stretched for 106 kilometers, the metal fence for 66.5 kilometers, the earthen ditches had a length of 105.5 kilometers, and 127.5 kilometers were under tension. A control strip was made near the wall, like on the border.

Despite tough measures against attempts to “illegally cross the border,” people continued to flee “over the wall,” using sewer pipes, technical means, and constructing tunnels. Over the years of the wall's existence, about 100 people died trying to overcome it.

The democratic changes in the life of the GDR and other countries of the socialist community that began in the late 1980s sealed the fate of the wall. On November 9, 1989, the new government of the GDR announced an unimpeded transition from East Berlin to West Berlin and free return back. About 2 million residents of the GDR visited West Berlin during November 10-12. The spontaneous dismantling of the wall immediately began. Official dismantling took place in January 1990, and part of the wall was left as a historical monument.

On October 3, 1990, after the annexation of the GDR to the Federal Republic of Germany, the status of the federal capital in a united Germany passed from Bonn to Berlin. In 2000, the government moved from Bonn to Berlin.

The material was prepared based on information from open sources

Creation of the German Democratic Republic

In the Soviet occupation zone, the creation of the German Democratic Republic was legitimized by the institutions of the People's Congresses. The 1st German People's Congress met in December 1947, it was attended by the SED, LDPD, a number of public organizations and the KKE from the western zones (the CDU refused to take part in the congress). Delegates came from all over Germany, but 80% of them represented residents of the Soviet occupation zone. The 2nd Congress was convened in March 1948, attended by delegates only from East Germany. It elected the German People's Council, whose task was to develop a constitution for a new democratic Germany. The Council adopted a constitution in March 1949, and in May of that year elections for delegates to the 3rd German People's Congress took place, following the model that had become the norm in the Soviet bloc: voters could only vote for a single list of candidates, the vast majority of whom were members of the SED . The 2nd German People's Council was elected at the congress. Although SED delegates did not constitute a majority in this council, the party secured a dominant position through the party leadership of delegates from public organizations (youth movement, trade unions, women's organization, cultural league).

On October 7, 1949, the German People's Council proclaimed the creation German Democratic Republic. Wilhelm Pieck became the first president of the GDR, and Otto Grotewohl became the head of the Provisional Government. Five months before the adoption of the constitution and the proclamation of the GDR, the Federal Republic of Germany was proclaimed in West Germany. Since the official creation of the GDR occurred after the creation of the Federal Republic of Germany, East German leaders had a reason to blame the West for the division of Germany.

Economic difficulties and worker discontent in the GDR

Throughout its existence, the GDR constantly experienced economic difficulties. Some of them were the result of poverty natural resources and poor development of economic infrastructure, but the majority were a consequence of policies pursued by the Soviet Union and the East German authorities. There were no deposits of such important minerals as coal and iron ore on the territory of the GDR. There was also a lack of high-class managers and engineers who fled to the West.

In 1952, the SED proclaimed that socialism would be built in the GDR. Following the Stalinist model, the leaders of the GDR imposed a rigid economic system with central planning and state control. Heavy industry was given priority for development. Ignoring the dissatisfaction of citizens caused by the shortage of consumer goods, the authorities tried by all means to force workers to increase labor productivity.

After Stalin's death, the workers' situation did not improve, and they responded with an uprising on June 16-17, 1953. The action began as a strike by East Berlin construction workers. The unrest immediately spread to other industries in the capital, and then to the entire GDR. The strikers demanded not only an improvement in their economic situation, but also the holding of free elections. The authorities were in a state of panic. The paramilitary "People's Police" lost control of the situation, and the Soviet military administration brought in tanks.

After the events of June 1953, the government switched to a policy of carrots and sticks. Softer economic policy("New Deal") included lower production standards for workers and increased production of some consumer goods. At the same time, large-scale repressions were carried out against the instigators of unrest and disloyal functionaries of the SED. About 20 demonstrators were executed, many were thrown into prison, almost a third of party officials were either removed from their posts or transferred to other jobs with the official motivation “for losing contact with the people.” Nevertheless, the regime managed to overcome the crisis. Two years later, the USSR officially recognized the sovereignty of the GDR, and in 1956 East Germany formed its armed forces and became a full member of the Warsaw Pact.

Another shock for the countries of the Soviet bloc was the 20th Congress of the CPSU (1956), at which the Chairman of the Council of Ministers N.S. Khrushchev made an expose Stalin's repressions. The revelations of the leader of the USSR caused unrest in Poland and Hungary, but in the GDR the situation remained calm. The improvement in the economic situation caused by the new course, as well as the opportunity for dissatisfied citizens to “vote with their feet”, i.e. emigrate across the open border to Berlin, helped prevent a repeat of the events of 1953.

Some softening of Soviet policies after the 20th Congress of the CPSU encouraged those members of the SED who did not agree with the position of Walter Ulbricht, a key political figure in the country, and other hardliners. The reformers, led by Wolfgang Harich, a university teacher. Humboldt in East Berlin, advocated democratic elections, workers' control in production and the "socialist unification" of Germany. Ulbricht managed to overcome this opposition of the “revisionist deviationists.” Harich was sent to prison, where he stayed from 1957 to 1964.

Berlin Wall

Having defeated the supporters of reforms in their ranks, the East German leadership began accelerated nationalization. Mass collectivization began in 1959 Agriculture and the nationalization of numerous small enterprises. In 1958, about 52% of land was owned by the private sector; by 1960 it had increased to 8%.

Showing support for the GDR, Khrushchev took a hard line against Berlin. He demanded that the Western powers effectively recognize the GDR, threatening to close access to West Berlin. (Until the 1970s, Western powers refused to recognize the GDR as an independent state, insisting that Germany must be unified in accordance with post-war agreements.) Once again The scale of the ongoing exodus of the population from the GDR acquired frightening proportions for the government. In 1961, more than 207 thousand citizens left the GDR (in total, more than 3 million people moved to the West since 1945). In August 1961, the East German government blocked the flow of refugees by ordering the construction of a concrete wall and barbed wire fence between East and West Berlin. Within a few months, the border between the GDR and West Germany was equipped.

Stability and prosperity of the GDR

The exodus of the population stopped, specialists remained in the country. It became possible to carry out more effective government planning. As a result, the country managed to achieve modest levels of prosperity in the 1960s and 1970s. The rise in living standards was not accompanied by political liberalization or a weakening of dependence on the USSR. The SED continued to tightly control the areas of art and intellectual activity. East German intellectuals experienced significantly greater restrictions on their creativity than their Hungarian or Polish colleagues. The nation's well-known cultural prestige rested largely on left-leaning older writers such as Bertolt Brecht (with his wife, Helena Weigel, who directed the famous Berliner Ensemble theater group), Anna Seghers, Arnold Zweig, Willy Bredel and Ludwig Renn. . But several new significant names also appeared, among them Christa Wolf and Stefan Geim.

It should also be noted that East German historians, such as Horst Drexler and other researchers of German colonial policy 1880-1918, in whose works a reassessment of individual events of recent history were carried out German history. But the GDR was most successful in increasing its international prestige in the field of sports. A developed system of state sports clubs and training camps trained high-quality athletes who achieved amazing success in summer and winter sports. Olympic Games since 1972.

Changes in the leadership of the GDR

By the end of the 1960s Soviet Union, still firmly in control of East Germany, began to show dissatisfaction with the policies of Walter Ulbricht. The leader of the SED actively opposed the new policy of the West German government led by Willy Brandt, aimed at improving relations between West Germany and the Soviet bloc. Dissatisfied with Ulbricht's attempts to sabotage Brandt's eastern policy, the Soviet leadership achieved his resignation from party posts. Ulbricht retained the minor post of head of state until his death in 1973.

Ulbricht's successor as first secretary of the SED was Erich Honecker. A native of the Saarland, he joined the Communist Party at an early age and, after his release from prison at the end of World War II, became a professional SED functionary. For many years he headed the youth organization "Free German Youth". Honecker intended to strengthen what he called "real socialism." Under Honecker, the GDR began to play a prominent role in international politics, especially in relations with Third World countries. After the signing of the Basic Treaty with West Germany (1972), the GDR was recognized by the majority of countries in the world community and in 1973, like the FRG, became a member of the UN.

Collapse of the GDR

Although there were no further mass protests until the late 1980s, the East German population never fully adapted to the SED regime. In 1985, about 400 thousand citizens of the GDR applied for a permanent exit visa. Many intellectuals and church leaders openly criticized the regime for its lack of political and cultural freedoms. The government responded by increasing censorship and expelling some prominent dissidents from the country. Ordinary citizens expressed outrage at the system of total surveillance carried out by an army of informants who were in the service of the Stasi secret police. By the 1980s, the Stasi had become something of a corrupt state within a state, controlling its own industrial enterprises and even speculating on the international foreign exchange market.

The coming to power in the USSR of M.S. Gorbachev and his policies of perestroika and glasnost undermined the basis of existence of the ruling SED regime. East German leaders recognized the potential danger early and abandoned perestroika in East Germany. But the SED could not hide information about changes in other countries of the Soviet bloc from the citizens of the GDR. West German television programs, which residents of the GDR watched much more often than East German television products, widely covered the progress of reforms in Eastern Europe.

The dissatisfaction of most East German citizens with their government reached a climax in 1989. While neighboring Eastern European states quickly liberalized their regimes, the SED cheered the brutal suppression of the June 1989 Chinese student demonstration in Tiananmen Square. But it was no longer possible to contain the tide of impending changes in the GDR. In August, Hungary opened its border with Austria, allowing thousands of East German holidaymakers to emigrate to the west.

At the end of 1989, popular discontent resulted in colossal protest demonstrations in the GDR itself. "Monday demonstrations" quickly became a tradition; hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of major cities of the GDR (the most massive protests took place in Leipzig) demanding political liberalization. The GDR leadership was divided over how to deal with the dissatisfied, and it also became clear that it was now left to its own devices. At the beginning of October, M.S. arrived in East Germany to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the GDR. Gorbachev, who made it clear that the Soviet Union would no longer interfere in the affairs of the GDR to save the ruling regime.

Honecker, who had just recovered from major surgery, advocated the use of force against protesters. But the majority of the SED Politburo did not agree with his opinion, and in mid-October Honecker and his main allies were forced to resign. Egon Krenz became the new General Secretary of the SED, as did Honecker, the former leader of the youth organization. The government was headed by Hans Modrow, secretary of the Dresden district committee of the SED, who was known as a supporter of economic and political reforms.

The new leadership tried to stabilize the situation by meeting some of the demonstrators' particularly widespread demands: the right to free exit from the country was granted (the Berlin Wall was opened on November 9, 1989) and free elections were proclaimed. These steps turned out to be insufficient, and Krenz, having served as head of the party for 46 days, resigned. At a hastily convened congress in January 1990, the SED was renamed the Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS), and a truly democratic party charter was adopted. The chairman of the renewed party was Gregor Gysi, a lawyer by profession who defended several East German dissidents during the Honecker era.

In March 1990, citizens of the GDR participated in the first free elections in 58 years. Their results greatly disappointed those who had hoped for the preservation of a liberalized but still independent and socialist GDR. Although several newly emerged parties advocated a "third way" distinct from Soviet communism and West German capitalism, a bloc of parties allied with the West German Christian Democratic Union (CDU) won a landslide victory. This voting bloc demanded unification with West Germany.

Lothar de Maizière, leader of the East German CDU, became the first (and last) freely elected prime minister of the GDR. The short period of his reign was marked by great changes. Under the leadership of de Maizières, the previous management apparatus was quickly dismantled. In August 1990, five states abolished in the GDR in 1952 were restored (Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia). On October 3, 1990, the GDR ceased to exist, uniting with the Federal Republic of Germany.

Germany

The German Democratic Republic (GDR, East Germany) is a socialist state founded on October 7, 1949 in the Soviet occupation zone of Germany and the eastern (Soviet) sector of Berlin. The republic officially ceased to exist and was united with the Federal Republic of Germany at 00:00 Central European Time on October 3, 1990.

On June 9, 1945, on the territory where Soviet troops were located, the Soviet Military Administration in Germany (SVAG, ceased to exist in October 1949 after the proclamation of the GDR and the Soviet Control Commission was formed in its place), its first commander-in-chief was G.K. . Zhukov.

The proclamation of the GDR took place five months later in response to the creation of the three western occupation zones of the Federal Republic of Germany; on October 7, 1949, the Constitution of the GDR was proclaimed.

The most important milestones in the history of the GDR:

July 1952 - at the II Conference of the SED, a course was proclaimed to build socialism in the GDR

The conditions for economic recovery in the GDR were noticeably more difficult than in the Federal Republic of Germany: Eastern Front The Second World War saw more fierce fighting, causing enormous destruction; a significant share of mineral deposits and heavy industry enterprises ended up in Germany, more heavy burden reparations from the USSR also fell.

At the beginning of 1952, the question of German unification was raised. By decision of the UN, a commission was created to conduct general elections. However, by Stalin’s decision, representatives of the commission were not allowed into the territory of the GDR. Stalin's death the following year did not change the situation.

The events of June 17, 1953 led to the fact that, instead of levying reparations, the USSR began to provide economic assistance to the GDR. In the context of the aggravation of the foreign policy situation around the German question and the mass exodus of qualified personnel from the GDR to West Berlin, on August 13, 1961, the construction of a system of barrier structures between the GDR and West Berlin began - the “Berlin Wall”.

In the early 1970s. a gradual normalization of relations between the two German states began. In June 1973, the Treaty on the Basic Principles of Relations between the GDR and the Federal Republic of Germany came into force. In September 1973, the GDR became a full member of the UN and other international organizations. On November 8, 1973, the GDR officially recognized the Federal Republic of Germany and established diplomatic relations with it.

In the second half of the 1980s, economic difficulties began to increase in the country; in the fall of 1989, a socio-political crisis arose, as a result of which the SED leadership resigned (October 24 - Erich Honecker, November 7 - Willy Stoff). On November 9, the new Politburo of the Central Committee of the SED decided to allow citizens of the GDR to privately travel abroad without valid reasons, as a result of which the “Berlin Wall” spontaneously fell. After the victory of the CDU in the elections on March 18, 1990, the new government of Lothar de Maizière began intensive negotiations with the German government on issues of German unification. In May and August 1990, two Treaties were signed containing the conditions for the accession of the GDR to the Federal Republic of Germany. On September 12, 1990, the Treaty on the Final Settlement regarding Germany was signed in Moscow, which contained decisions on the entire range of issues of German unification. In accordance with the decision of the People's Chamber, the GDR joined the Federal Republic of Germany on October 3, 1990.

Austria left the empire. Alsace and Lorraine returned to French protection. Czechoslovakia received back the Sudetenland. Statehood was restored in Luxembourg.

Part of Poland's territory, annexed by the Germans in 1939, returned to Poland. The eastern part of Prussia was divided between the USSR and Poland.

The remainder of Germany was divided by the Allies into four zones of occupation, administered by Soviet, British, American and military authorities. The countries that took part in the occupation of German lands agreed to pursue a coordinated policy, the main principles of which were denazification and demilitarization of the former German Empire.

Education Germany

A few years later, in 1949, the Federal Republic of Germany was proclaimed on the territory of the American, British and French occupation zones, which became Bonn. Western politicians thus planned to create in this part of Germany a state built on a capitalist model, which could become a springboard for a possible war with the communist regime.

The Americans provided considerable support to the new bourgeois Germans. Thanks to this support, Germany quickly began to transform into an economically developed power. In the 50s they even talked about the “German economic miracle.”

The country needed cheap labor, the main source of which was Türkiye.

How did the German Democratic Republic come into being?

The response to the creation of the Federal Republic of Germany was the proclamation of the constitution of another German republic - the GDR. This happened in October 1949, five months after the formation of the Federal Republic of Germany. In this way, the Soviet state decided to resist the intentions of its former allies and create a kind of stronghold of socialism in Western Europe.

The Constitution of the German Democratic Republic proclaimed democratic freedoms to its citizens. This document also established the role of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany. For a long time, the Soviet Union provided the government of the GDR with political and economic assistance.

However, in terms of the rate of industrial growth, the GDR, which had taken the socialist path of development, lagged significantly behind its western neighbor. But this did not prevent East Germany from becoming a developed industrial country, where agriculture also developed intensively. After a series of rapid democratic transformations in the GDR, German unity was restored; on October 3, 1990, the Federal Republic of Germany and the GDR became a state.

Excessive aggressiveness can have a negative impact on all aspects of life. Intemperate behavior spoils relationships with others, prevents you from achieving success in your career, and negatively affects the atmosphere in the family. Learn to cope strong emotions.

Instructions

Think about what doesn't suit you in your life in a global sense. Maybe you are unhappy with the way your personal life is going. Then, until you improve your relationship with your partner, aggressiveness and irritability may be your companions. Perhaps you hate your job. Think about changing your job or profession. Unresolved issues in areas of life that are important to you can affect both your mood and your character.

Analyze your expectations of other people. Maybe you are too demanding of those around you, and when people's behavior doesn't match your standards, you get angry. Understand that no one owes you anything. Treat the actions and words of others more leniently, then there will be no disappointment in them, which results in aggression.

Find a way to express your emotions. Get physically active. Going to the gym or going to group classes reduces aggression. Swimming relaxes not only the muscles, but also nervous system. Yoga calms the mind and promotes harmony between soul and body.

Imagine how you look from the outside in those moments when you are overcome by aggression: a crazy look, sudden movements, a red face, hysterical notes in your voice. The portrait is not very attractive. Ask close friends or family to discreetly record you on video when you are angry. Look back at the recording later and realize that this is how you look in the eyes of others. Perhaps this experiment will show you how important it is to work on expressing your emotions.

Discuss problems with family members and colleagues as soon as they arise. Do this in a calm environment. Don't be silent if something doesn't suit you. While you can respond to the situation calmly, resolve the issue in an atmosphere of trust and understanding. This way you won’t drive yourself into a frenzy and will save yourself from some of the problems.

Use various ways to calm your nerves. Can help you breathing exercises. Practice holding your breath while inhaling or exhaling, alternately closing your right and left nostril. Breathe either deeply and slowly, or often and energetically. Washing helps you come to your senses cold water and slowly count to yourself to 10.

Become more feminine. Perhaps accepting your feminine side will help you get rid of excessive aggressiveness. Start wearing romantic dresses and skirts, wear heels. Feel like a real lady who shouldn’t lose her face. Make your movements smoother and your voice gentle. Don't forget about your friendly smile. Sometimes internal changes come through a transformation of appearance.

Learn to deal with annoying little things more easily. Sometimes they are the ones who become the last straw and provoke an explosion of negative emotions. Be realistic. Consider whether a particular unfortunate incident will matter to you in a few years.

Everyone wants to achieve success in life. This is possible if you have a clear goal in front of you and try to achieve it. Determination is a quality that can be cultivated in oneself.

Instructions

Start cultivating a sense of purpose right now, without waiting until next Monday. Before the beginning of next week, you will have time to change your mind a thousand times, and you will have to forget about the decision.

Set yourself some goals. What would you like to achieve in principle? What would you like to do in the next year, month, day? Write it all down and give approximate dates.

Write down tasks that require enough time on a separate page and divide them into smaller subsections. When setting yourself the goal of learning a foreign language or enrolling in a higher educational institution, plan by what time you must learn grammar, learn

State structure

Education October 7, 1949 German Democratic Republic was an act of national self-help by democratic forces Germany. This was their response to the split Germany, the expression of which was the creation of the Federal Republic on September 7, 1949, carried out contrary to the principles of the Potsdam Agreement accepted by the four great powers. Under these conditions, the proclamation of a peace-loving, democratic German state became a matter of vital importance for the German people.

While creating GDR it was about thwarting the attempts of the Western powers to transfer all Germany into the hands of the then resurgent German imperialism and provide the democratic forces Germany a solid state foundation. Therefore, state formation GDR relied on a broad popular movement that embraced all strata of our people.

GDR- a state in which the working class, in alliance with the class of cooperative peasants and other sections of the working people, implements political power and leads the cause of socialism to victory. Workers are the masters of the economy and the state. They direct the political economic development in accordance with the will and interests of the majority of citizens. The most important means of production - factories, minerals, means of transport and large estates - belong to the people.

Workers and peasants exercise power through popular representatives, the government, government bodies, judicial bodies, police bodies, etc. Workers' and peasants' power is based on the forces of the National Democratic Front Germany, which nominates candidates for popular representation and maintains constant communication between the state apparatus and the population. In addition, citizens have broad rights that allow them to directly participate in government activities.

A prerequisite for victory in GDR socialist and democratic forces saw the unity of the working class, which found its most vivid embodiment in the creation of united trade unions and, first of all, in the unification on April 21, 1946 of two parties of the working class - the Communist Party Germany and the Social Democratic Party Germany- to the Socialist United Party Germany.

German Democratic Republic- a sovereign state that decides independently, at its own discretion, its internal and external affairs and respects the rights of other states and generally recognized norms of international law. Thanks to the full participation of the population in solving all political and economic problems, thanks to the influence that the population has on legislation, government bodies and justice, in GDR for the first time in history Germany the people exercise their sovereign rights.

TERRITORY AND POPULATION

Territory German Democratic Republic is 107,834 square kilometers. In the north it is washed by the waters of the Baltic Sea; in the east the rivers Oder and Neisse form the border of the world with Poland People's Republic. In the West GDR borders Western Germany; in the south the Ore Mountains connect GDR and the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. The length of the land borders is 456 kilometers in the east, 1,381 kilometers in the west and 430 kilometers in the south.

Elbe (1112 km) and Oder (861 km)- the most long rivers GDR. The highest mountain peaks are the Fichtelberg in the Ore Mountains (1243 l*) and the Brocken in the Harz (1142 l*). Southern and southeastern part GDR occupy medium-high altitude mountains, turning into a hilly foothill strip in the north and then into the North German Lowland. Numerous lakes located in the area Berlin and to the north of it, give the area a special flavor. Territory GDR covered by a dense modern network of roads and railways and cut through by inland waterways. Along with this everything higher value acquires air services operated by the state organization Deutsche Luft-Hansa.

IN GDR 17.3 million people live (as of December 31, 1959). The population density is cohabitants per square kilometer. Capital GDR is Berlin. In a democratic Berlin 1.1 million people live. Territory GDR divided into 14 districts: Potsdam, Frankfurt an der Oder and Cottbus in Brandenburg; Neubrandenburg, Rostock and Schwerin in Mecklenburg; Magdeburg and Halle in Saxony-Anhalt; Erfurt, Suhl and Gera in the state of Thuringia; Dresden, Leipzig and Karl-Marx-Stadt in Saxony. Districts unite 24 cities district subordination and 192 rural districts with 9556 communities. 213 communities have more than 10 thousand inhabitants each, and 11 cities - Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden, Karl-Marx-Stadt, Halle (Saale), Magdeburg, Erfurt, Rostock, Zwickau, Potsdam and Gera - have more than 100 thousand each. GDR- a highly developed socialist industrial country. The share of industry, trade and transport in the total volume of the aggregate social product is 90.1 percent, agriculture and forestry - 9.9 percent. 68 percent of all workers are employed in industry, trade and transport, and 18 percent in agriculture and forestry.

POLITICAL FRAMEWORK

What is the basis of the socialist system?

The socialist system means that the exploitation of man by man is eliminated and the working people themselves decide their own fate. Monopolists and landowners were expropriated, their enterprises became the property of the people, and the land belonged to the peasants. Therefore, monopolists and landowners can no longer dictate what the size should be wages and what should be the length of the working day, who should be hired or who should be thrown out onto the street. The labor of millions of workers no longer serves to increase the personal wealth and power of individual monopolists. The results of labor are made available to the workers themselves and their society; the growth of production serves to increase personal and social wealth. Those who work are honored and respected, and work is also a measure of remuneration.

One of the decisive prerequisites of the socialist system is that the most important enterprises belong to the whole people and are led by representatives of the working class. In 1960, the share of people's enterprises in total industrial output GDR was 89.1 percent. In agriculture, cooperative production achieved a complete victory in 1960.

Such transformations are possible only in conditions when power is in the hands of the people. The leading role is played by the working class, led by its party - the SED. In popular representations, in the state apparatus, in judicial and economic bodies, in scientific, cultural and educational institutions, leading positions belong to representatives of the working class and peasantry, intelligentsia and other working strata.

This alignment of political forces guarantees systematic development, which is reflected in national economic plans covering all economic, political and cultural life. The plans, for example, establish what share of the income of people's enterprises is allocated to the construction of new industrial facilities, to raising the living standards of workers, to the construction of housing and cultural institutions, to social security, etc.

Of course, in a country with a socialist system, domestic and foreign policies are characterized by a desire for peace and the well-being of all people. Therefore, the People's Chamber, the State Council, the government GDR turned to West German government bodies with a number of proposals serving the cause of maintaining peace. However, as long as the monopolists profiting from the arms race and the instigators of the policy of aggression try to destroy this new socialist system, the socialist states will be forced to maintain armed forces equipped with excellent technology to protect their peoples.

Is the GDR a legitimate state?

GDR- not only the legitimate state, but also the only legitimate German state. This fact arises from many circumstances, rooted partly in history, partly in modernity. The most important circumstances are:

IN GDR made only correct conclusions from past. The arms manufacturers and junkers responsible for starting two world wars were expropriated. Along with them, the militarists also lost power. Since then, state power has been in the hands of workers and peasants, who have entered into a strong, reliable alliance with other working sections of the population. Here, therefore, the democratic principle “All state power comes from the people” was first implemented. The state is headed by political figures who - being workers themselves - spend their entire lives fighting for the interests of the working people.

The principles of the anti-Hitler coalition enshrined in the Potsdam Agreement, for the implementation of which millions of people in many countries of the world gave their lives in the fight against German militarism and fascism, became GDR reality. The struggle to preserve peace is the main content of politics GDR. This is evidenced, for example, by the address of the chairman State Council GDR Walter Ulbricht to the government of the Federal Republic of Germany, December 18, 1960. In this appeal, the Bonn government was asked to reach an agreement with GDR about maintaining peace initially for 10 years. This would create the preconditions for peaceful reunification and for pursuing a peaceful policy of a united Germany. So thanks to his peaceful policy GDR instills confidence in every German that it is a reliable stronghold< мирного будущего для него и его детей. Уже одно это делает GDR the only legitimate German state. Legality GDR is also expressed in its sovereignty. The republic resolves all its internal and external issues independently, without outside interference. In the territory GDR there are no occupying forces, while in Western Germany they have extremely broad rights. Participation in the Warsaw Pact in no way affects sovereignty GDR. Therefore, the republic was able to make 150 proposals aimed at peaceful reunification Germany. And the West German government is prohibited by the Bonn and Paris agreements from any independent actions regarding reunification. That's why GDR- the only German state that has a real reunification program and pursues a national policy.

Development GDR corresponds to the democratic principles of international law, and its policies comply with the UN Charter.

Chairman of the State Council GDR Walter Ulbricht noted in a policy statement of the State Council made in the People's Chamber on October 4, 1960:

"He who doubts the legitimacy GDR, also doubts the legitimacy of the people’s struggle against the bloody regime of Hitler’s fascism, the policy of which is continued by the anti-democratic state of Western Germany».

The situation is different with the Federal Republic, whose government claims to be the only legitimate state. But how can a state in which the dark past has come to life again be considered legitimate? Germany and in which international law is violated?

The same forces that once supported the Hitler regime are now located in Western Germany economic power, which increased even more during this time. They once again dominate the state apparatus, using figures such as Strauss and Schröder as proxies. Over a thousand members of Hitler's emergency and military courts are in charge of the justice authorities, the Bundeswehr is headed by 140 Hitlerite generals, command posts in the police are occupied by SS and Gestapo thugs. The old, outdated rules again in Western Germany. Therefore, basic rights are violated, democratic parties and organizations are prohibited. The population, contrary to the constitution, is deprived of the right to express their opinion on such vital issues as universal conscription, equipping the Bundeswehr with atomic weapons, etc. National polls on these issues were prohibited. ^

International legal principles of the Potsdam Agreement on peaceful, anti-militarist development Germany betrayed in Western Germany oblivion; the liquidation of monopolies, agrarian, administrative, judicial, school reforms, reform in the field of culture were not put on the agenda at all or were sabotaged at the first attempt to carry them out.

The purge of the West German state apparatus from Brown Shirts is being sabotaged. Revanchism flourished in full bloom. Leadership circles are pursuing the same aggressive goals, as did Wilhelm II and Hitler. At present, the policy of the German government is entirely subordinated to plans for atomic weapons, which threaten the lives of the German people and the peoples of Europe.

The Bonn government chose the atomic weapons of the Bundeswehr over peace and security. Having concluded the so-called “ General agreement", it thereby transferred the matter of reunification Germany into the hands of the Western powers. Now it openly seeks to seize GDR. For this reason, it rejected all proposals GDR to ease tensions and peaceful reunification. West German citizens wishing to exercise their right to self-determination and advocating peace and reunification Germany on democratic principles, are persecuted and thrown into prison. Thus, Western Germany- state, life-threatening people and betraying national interests cannot claim to be considered legitimate.

Is there only one party in the GDR?

IN GDR there are five parties, namely: Socialist Unity Party Germany(SED), Peasant Democratic Party Germany(CMR), Liberal Democratic Party Germany(LDPD), Christian Democratic Union Germany(CDSG), National Democratic Party Germany(NDPG).

Individual parties represent the interests of certain classes or segments of the population. The SED is a party of the working class. The CMR represents primarily the interests of cooperative peasants. Christians who advocate peace and progress unite mainly in the HDSG. The LDPD consists of members of craft production cooperatives and progressive representatives of the petty and middle bourgeoisie.

The NPD also appeals to various circles of the middle class and to former military personnel who have broken with their past.

Why is the SED the leading party?

The SED is the party of the working class, the class that creates the largest part of the material values ​​necessary for life. As the party of the largest, most progressive and most consistent class in the struggle for peace and democracy, it has a leading role in political life GDR. And in terms of the number of its members and supporters, it is the most powerful party. Along with the workers, who make up the overwhelming majority of SED members, this party includes representatives of all other sections of the working people. Members of this party lead many decisive sectors in the state, economic and cultural fields.

Unlike the major West German parties, the SED carried out its 1946 program. Under her leadership, the working class, peasantry, intelligentsia and other sections of the working people made the greatest revolution in history Germany- transition from capitalism to socialism. Major economic, social and cultural reforms in GDR were mainly carried out on her initiative. At the suggestion of the SED, the most important measures in economic, cultural and social construction were carried out GDR. The SED has developed, for example, projects for successfully completed five-year plans and the current seven-year plan, proposals for the further democratization of public life and for the systematic raising of the living standards of the population.

At the Fifth Congress of the SED in July 1958, the directives of the seven-year plan were presented to the public. The implementation of this plan will prove the superiority of the socialist economic system GDR over the monopoly-capitalist system of Western Germany. Today there is no doubt that by fulfilling this plan, the working people will ensure the victory of the cause of socialism in GDR.

As a Marxist party, the SED personifies the best traditions of the German working class, systematically implementing the old testaments of the socialist labor movement. Under her leadership, as well as with the participation of the other four parties, trade unions and other mass organizations in GDR Socialism is being built. At the same time, the policy of the SED is aimed at involving all layers of workers and private entrepreneurs in the cause of socialist construction through persuasion and demonstration of successes. As a result, every citizen GDR sees a reliable prospect in socialism.

The SED is also the party that has put forward numerous important proposals aimed at general controlled disarmament, the conclusion of a peace treaty with both German states and reunification Germany in peaceful way.

The remaining parties and organizations recognize the leading role of the working class party and, being independent, independent organizations, closely cooperate with it.

Were parties banned in the GDR?

No in GDR not a single party was banned. On the contrary, the SPD, whose activities were authorized in 1945 in the then Soviet zone of occupation, decided to merge with the KPD after a democratic vote of its members. Similar solution The KPD also accepted the merger with the SPD. Thus, the working class learned from the past the lesson that the threat of fascism and militarism can be eliminated and a new socialist system can be created only if the workers act in unity.

Since the unification congress held in April 1946, GDR there is a Socialist Unity Party Germany as a united party of the working class. IN Berlin The full unification of the KPD and SPD was prevented by the right-wing leadership of the SPD, which acted at the behest of the imperialist occupying powers against the will of the SPD members. - The overwhelming majority of SPD members spoke in favor of cooperation or unification of the two working class parties. Therefore, the SED and SPD exist in both parts of the divided capital and have in all areas of the Greater Berlin their boards *.

Of course, the creation of militaristic and fascist organizations opposing the peaceful coexistence of peoples, in GDR forbidden.

What should be understood by the policy of the Democratic Bloc?

The policy of the Democratic Bloc means the joint solution of common problems with the participation of all peace-loving and democratic forces GDR. It is an expression of the cooperation of all segments of the population under the leadership of the working class in the construction of socialism in GDR, in solving the national problems of the German people.

The Democratic Bloc was created on July 14, 1945 by the decision of the parties that existed in the then Soviet zone of occupation: the KPD, SPD, CDU and LDPG. Subsequently founded parties and the most important political organizations joined the bloc, so now it includes: Socialist United Nation Germany(SED), Christian Democratic Union Germany(CDSG), Liberal Democratic Party Germany(LDPD), Peasant Democratic Party Germany(CMR), National Democratic Party Germany(NDPD), the Association of Free German Trade Unions (FGTU), the Union of Free German Youth (FGY) and the Democratic Women's Union Germany(JSG).

The unification was dictated by the desire to overcome

Let go of the fragmentation of democratic forces, which had such fatal consequences for Germany in 1933. On the other hand, it was necessary to solve the difficult problems of the post-war period. Over the past period of time, this union of parties and organizations has so far justified itself that it now belongs to the most important political institutions. GDR and has an ever-increasing influence in all areas of the life of the state.

The bloc meets before making all the most important decisions of the government or the People's Chamber on issues of internal and foreign policy and discusses their future policies. Decision making is based on the principle of unanimity. This means that the discussion of all issues continues until agreement is reached on the fundamental provisions. This ensures the participation of all politically active forces in joint creative activities. The pinnacle of the Democratic Bloc's activity was the creation of the State Council German Democratic Republic in September 1960.

What is the National Front for Democratic Germany?

National Democratic Front Germany is a broad movement, not associated with any one party, covering the entire Germany. It unites in its ranks citizens of Eastern and Western Germany, representatives of all segments of the population, regardless of their worldview, members of a wide variety of parties and organizations whose goal is the reunification Germany on a peaceful, democratic basis. Since such goals contradict the intentions of the ruling circles of the Federal Republic of Germany, the federal government and the governments of the Western states Germany this movement was banned. Supporters of the National Front were and are being persecuted by the judicial authorities of the western zone.

The National Front has existed since January 1950: it arose - with a simultaneous expansion of tasks - on the basis of the then people's committees of the struggle for unity Germany and a fair peace treaty. Governing bodies National Front are

The National Council, re-elected in 1958 by the Third Congress of the National Front, and the Presidium of the National Council. The chairman of the presidium was again the laureate of the national award professor dr. Erich Correns.

The National Front is not an organization, but a movement of patriotic forces; it does not keep records of members and does not accept membership fees. Its activities are financed by donations from the public. In the territory GDR There are 15 district, 219 district and about 17 thousand local, city, district, block and village committees of the National Front, in which citizens of all segments of the population are represented. In the election committees of the National Front in GDR Currently, about 300 thousand people work.

In Western Germany The activities of the National Front, despite the illegal ban, extend to a wide variety of segments of the population. This is evidenced, in particular, by the participation in meetings of the National Council of such prominent political figures of Western Germany, as Münstersknilprofessor Dr. Hagemann (former member of the CDU), members of the Landtags from SDG1G Scheperkötter (North Rhine-Westphalia) and Berg (Hamburg).

What are the goals of the National Front?

The National Front stands for the conclusion of a peace treaty with the two German states, the peaceful reunification of our fatherland and for the democratic development of the whole Germany. The appeal of the National Front in connection with the elections to the People's Chamber and district assemblies of deputies held on November 16, 1958 (the appeal was adopted by the Third Congress of the National Front in September 1958) said:

"National Front for Democratic Germany calls on you, citizens German Democratic Republic, to the struggle for national revival Germany as a peace-loving, democratic state."

Thus, the National Front introduces the population of both parts Germany with the problems of disarmament, peace treaty and reunification. He supports the actions of the West German population against remilitarization, fascisation and atomic weapons.

IN GDR The National Front supports the construction of socialism, because it sees the goal of its activities as ensuring that the working people live in conditions of peace and prosperity. In order for the construction of socialism to develop even more successfully, the National Front calls for voluntary assistance in this matter. Thus, the ruins of neighborhoods destroyed by air raids during the Second World War have been cleared, green spaces are being planted, sports fields, outdoor swimming pools, children's playgrounds, etc. are being built.

In 1960, the National Front carried out work worth more than 447 million marks. If the total cost of the work performed is divided by the entire working population (from the age of 15, including pensioners), then for each person there will be 32.64 marks. This is the voluntary contribution of the population to the construction of capital construction projects. If we take into account all the voluntary assistance provided to agriculture and industry, it turns out that 157 million hours were worked voluntarily.

Of particular importance is the fact that the National Front plays an important role in holding elections to the People's Chamber and local people's representatives. Together with a bloc of democratic parties and organizations, it nominates candidates for deputies, holds meetings at which candidates for deputies meet with voters, and deputies and administrative staff report. He organizes discussion evenings at which the population expresses their opinions and makes proposals on planned events of the People's Chamber and the government. Thus, in 1956, in the discussion of a draft law on further democratization (Law on Local Bodies state power dated January 18, 1957) more than 4.5 million citizens took part GDR, who made 10 thousand proposals to improve the work of government bodies. These figures were significantly exceeded during the discussion of the draft new labor code, held at the end of 1960 - beginning of 1961, mainly through trade unions.

How carried out the right of the population to participate in government state and the economy?

Population GDR enjoys not only broad rights to participate in the management of all areas of public life, but also the right to active participation in the management of the state and the economy. IN GDR The slogan is being put into practice: “Plan, work, manage together with everyone else.” Citizens can exert a decisive influence on the development of all social life through parties, trade unions and other organizations in which they belong, as well as through the National Front for Democratic Germany. There, at meetings and discussions, for example, important government bills are discussed. In particular, the draft law on the socialist development of school affairs and the draft Labor Code were subject to such discussion. This means that citizens can express their opinions and make proposals to change the projects under discussion, thereby influencing the final wording of laws.

The most important form of participation in government is popular representation. The People's Chamber has 466 deputies. Local people's representative offices employ 270 thousand citizens who are deputies or deputy deputies. Consequently, every fiftieth citizen who enjoys the right to vote takes a direct part in governing the state. As representatives of the entire population, deputies bring up their wishes and wishes for discussion proposals of voters.Each voter can turn to his deputy and, with his help, influence state and administrative bodies.

Workers and employees of national enterprises take an active part in the management of production. An important form of their participation in enterprise management is permanent production meetings as elected bodies of the factory trade union organization. They actively participate in the development of production plans and monitoring their implementation, express critical comments regarding the organization of production and present proposals aimed at achieving the highest production performance. Such real participation of workers in the management of enterprises could have developed due to the fact that, under conditions of national ownership, there is no antagonism between the interests of the enterprise administration and the interests of workers and employees.

Can citizens of the GDR express their opinions openly and freely?

The right to freely express their opinions is guaranteed to all citizens in accordance with Article 9 of the Constitution GDR. This article categorically prohibits prosecution of citizens for exercising such a right. IN GDR Therefore, it is unthinkable that a citizen who criticizes, for example, the work of his boss or minister, reveals certain shortcomings in the work of an institution or management, etc., would lose his place or even be arrested. Moreover, openly expressing an opinion about existing shortcomings is not only the right, but also the duty of citizens. For only in this way can we reveal shortcomings and quickly eliminate difficulties, and thereby speed up socialist construction. In this case, it does not matter what a citizen is guided by when expressing and defending his opinion - Christian responsibility, liberal views or a Marxist worldview. All citizens have the opportunity to assemble for this purpose.

There is only one limitation: the opinions expressed and meetings held must serve the cause of peace and democracy. Incitement against a democratic state and its institutions, incitement to murder of political figures and other persons, manifestation of religious, racial and national hatred are prohibited by Article 6 of the Constitution.

The population is protected from militaristic and military propaganda by the Peace Protection Law. It is impossible for revanchists, militarists and SS men to gather and demand the establishment of a “new order” in Europe, as is the case in Germany. Such persons in GDR would be immediately arrested and punished by law.

CHAMBER OF THE PEOPLE

Does the House of the People have all the rights of a sovereign organ of popular representation?

The highest state body of the Republic is the People's Chamber. Its deputies are elected by citizens through universal, equal and direct elections by secret ballot.

Of all government bodies, the People's Chamber has the most broad and comprehensive rights. No other body has the right to give instructions to this highest body of popular representation or interfere with its activities. Moreover, for all other government bodies, the decisions of the People's Chamber are binding. All other bodies are subject to control by the People's Chamber.

IN GDR There is no so-called separation of powers, which places the judicial or administrative bodies outside the control of the parliament elected by the population. No court has the right to review the laws of the People's Chamber, as is the case with the laws of the Bundestag in Western Europe. Germany. The House of the People is sovereign.

The competence of the People's Chamber includes a wide variety of tasks. Thus, the People's Chamber has the right to: establish the principles of government policy; approve the composition of the government, control its activities and, if necessary, deny it powers;

supervise local people's representatives and direct their activities; legislate;

make decisions about state budget, national economic plan, on loans and state credit of the Republic, ratify international treaties;

elect members of the State Council and, if necessary, recall them;

elect members of the Supreme Court and the Prosecutor General and, if necessary, recall them.

Thus, this parliament chosen by the people has the most extensive rights ever

in history Germany was vested in Parliament. The People's Chamber represents a unified state power.

How does the People's Chamber work?

The People's Chamber makes all important decisions at its plenary sessions. To prepare these decisions and to better organize its work, the People's Chamber forms commissions. These commissions, however, do not have the right to act independently, replacing the plenum of the People's Chamber. Their decisions need to be approved at a plenary meeting of the People's Chamber.

Legislative activity is consistent with democratic character GDR. Bills can be introduced by the government or deputies of the People's Chamber. As a rule, two readings are held, between which the bill is discussed in the relevant sectoral commissions of the People's Chamber. Often, before its adoption by the People's Chamber, a bill is discussed at thousands of public meetings, as was the case in the spring of 1961 when discussing the draft Labor Code. At the same time, all proposals for the bill made by citizens are carefully considered and, of course, if they are useful, taken into account.

This allows us to understand why the wide legislative activity The People's Chamber expresses the interests of the population and is an example for a future peaceful, democratic, united Germany. Thus, in particular, laws were adopted that, reflecting changing economic and political conditions, expand the democratic rights of citizens. These include, first of all, Labor Code, guaranteeing the right to work, the right to the creative participation of workers in the management of production and providing for the constant improvement of the material and cultural living conditions of workers and employees. Back on January 19, 1957, the People's Chamber adopted the Law on the Reduction of Working Time, which introduced a 45-hour workday throughout industry. work week no salary reduction. Other important decisions of the People's Chamber are: the Law on the Rights of Youth, the Law on the Protection of Mother and Child and on Women's Rights, guaranteeing full equality of women in all areas of public life, and, last but not least, the Law on the Protection of Peace.

Of the international treaties ratified in recent years by the People's Chamber, the Warsaw Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance of May 14, 1955, on the basis of which all socialist countries guarantee security, should be mentioned first of all. GDR against aggression. A number of agreements on the provision of legal assistance, as well as consular conventions, have been concluded with various countries. Recently, numerous trade and shipping agreements have been concluded, in particular with the People's Republic of Bulgaria, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, the People's Republic of China, and a social security cooperation agreement with the USSR.

At any period of its existence, the People's Chamber was aware of its national responsibility. Time and again she addressed the West German Bundestag with proposals aimed at eliminating the split Germany. On July 6, 1961, the People's Chamber discussed the peace plan of the German people, aimed at a peaceful solution to the German and West Berlin issue through the conclusion of a peace treaty. After its adoption by the People's Chamber, it became the basis national policy GDR. However, all these efforts undertaken in the interests of reunification Germany, did not meet with support from Bonn.

Does the People's Chamber exist?

division into government and opposition parties?

All five parties existing in GDR, and politically influential mass organizations are represented in government GDR and are therefore government parties. This provision is legally enshrined in the Constitution, which establishes that all political associations represented in the People's Chamber by at least 10 percent of deputies must share the responsibility of the government. Therefore, the central place in the activities of the government is occupied by a serious business conversation between all responsible factions. Joint discussion, which does not exclude criticism and the struggle of opinions when opposing points of view are brought together, forms the basis of their work. This method is in the best interests of the business and, therefore, the population. Therefore, in the People's Chamber, as in the parliaments of imperialist states, there are no ostentatious political battles designed to fool the ordinary voter.

It goes without saying that the VL parties are united by a common political goal. For GDR such a common goal was formulated in the decisions of the bloc of democratic parties and mass organizations (see pp. 17 et seq.), in which, after 1945, all anti-fascist, democratic parties and organizations united. In subsequent years, such cooperation, serving the benefit of the population GDR, justified itself in the best possible way. It is based on: peace policy, rapid economic growth, constant improvement financial situation and, last but not least, numerous proposals aimed at peaceful reunification Germany. The establishment of a socialist social system that guarantees people prosperity, peace and faith in the future is the common goal of all parties GDR.

Only imperialist and militaristic forces could act as opposition to this progressive policy, which meets the interests of the people, but with them in GDR it's over. Their ideas of preparation for war, criminal incitement, etc., are devoid of nutritious soil in GDR.

How are elections held in the GDR?

Deputies of the People's Chamber and local people's representatives are elected, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, through general, equal and direct elections by secret ballot for a period of 4 years. All citizens over 18 years of age have the right to vote. Every citizen who has reached the age of 21 has the right to be elected.

It is important to emphasize that the nomination of candidates for deputies already takes place with the decisive participation of voters. At first, democratic parties and mass organizations united on the basis of a jointly developed program in the National Democratic Front Germany, identify candidates for deputies from all parties and mass organizations. Candidates are required to personally meet with their voters and tell them about their past activities and their future work as deputies. At the same time, voters have the right to ask questions to parliamentary candidates and reject those candidates whom they do not trust.

Such nomination and verification of candidates for deputies by voters is a fundamentally new phenomenon in the development of German electoral law. Voters, therefore, no longer cast their votes for candidates proposed to them, who in most cases are unknown persons, but decide for themselves who will remain on the lists of parliamentary candidates. This method ensures that deputies in GDR are true representatives of the people.

The elections themselves are held on democratic principles. Each voter votes secretly. However, such a casting of votes on election day has a completely different meaning than, for example, in bourgeois-capitalist countries. It represents the completion of a long democratic election process, with the approval by the voter of a list of parliamentary candidates whom he had previously vetted and approved.

The next elections to the People's Chamber took place on November 16, 1958. The election results showed that citizens GDR the overwhelming majority accepted the programmatic demands of the National Front as their own. 98.89 percent of the total number of voters participated in the elections. Of these, for candidates for parliament from the National Democratic Front Germany 98.87 percent cast their votes.

To whom are deputies responsible?

Since the deputies GDR are elected by the people, they are obliged to carry out the will of their voters and are directly responsible only to them. It follows that they must maintain constant and close communication with their constituents in order to know their opinions, explain to them the policies and laws of the state and involve them in active participation in solving public problems.

Deputies are obliged to regularly receive voters, listen to them, and quickly and conscientiously consider their orders and advice. They must also report periodically to the citizens of their constituency on all their activities. When reporting, they must, in particular, report on the implementation of the orders of voters and on the fate of the proposals and complaints of the population. Therefore, in GDR It is unacceptable for deputies to make empty promises before their election that they will not fulfill later. Voters can constantly monitor their MPs. Having discovered that the representative they have elected does not justify the trust placed in him or does not fulfill his deputy duties, they can demand his recall at a meeting of voters.

Who is included in the People's Chamber?

The People's Chamber consists of 466 deputies. 400 deputies are elected in constituencies GDR. Capital GDR, Berlin, sends 66 deputies to the People's Chamber.

At its first meeting, the People's Chamber elects a presidium, which, headed by its chairman, presides over the meetings of the People's Chamber.

The Chairman of the People's Chamber is Dr. Johannes Dieckmann (LDPD). His first deputy is Hermann Matern (SED). The Presidium of the People's Chamber includes, furthermore, as deputy chairmen of the People's Chamber: August Bach (CDSG), Friedrich Ebert (SED), Ernst Golldenbaum (CDM), Greta Gro-Kummerlöw (OSNP), Heinrich Homann (NDPD), Wilhelmina Schirmer-Pröscher (JSG).

Members of the People's Chamber are not professional parliamentarians. They all work in one position or another. To exercise their rights and duties as elected representatives of the people, deputies have the necessary time, which is provided to them by the relevant enterprises and institutions.

The composition of the People's Chamber according to the affiliation of deputies to parties or mass organizations, according to their social origin, age groups and gender is as follows (as of January 1959):

Faction affiliation

52 German Kulturbund

Social background

53 29 29 18 12

SED LDPG CDSG NPD CMR

Workers 286 Peasants 36 Employees 57 Representatives of the intelligentsia 41

Craftsmen

Priests

Entrepreneurs

42 2 2

Up to 25 years old From 26 to 30 years old From 31 to 40 years old

Age groups

22 From 41 to 50 years 27 From 51 to 60 years 117 Over 60 years

There are 95 women among the deputies of the People's Chamber, that is, almost a quarter total number chosen people. The number of young deputies representing youth interests is also higher than in any capitalist country.

The composition of the People's Chamber indicates that in the German Democratic Republic state power - in contrast to the Western Germany- is in the hands of the working class, acting in alliance with the peasantry and other sections of the working people.

STATE COUNCIL AND GOVERNMENT

Why was the State Council created in the GDR?

The establishment of the State Council is a completely new phenomenon for Germany. As the first president of the German workers' and peasants' state until

Until his death, there was the respected Wilhelm Pieck, who headed the state of workers and peasants - the German Democratic Republic.

Since the entry into force of the constitution in 1949, the territory GDR fundamental changes have occurred. During this time, the republic turned into a socialist state. The principles of governing a socialist state are different from those of bourgeois states. One of these principles reads: >to build socialism together and govern the state together. In other words, representatives of various parties and mass organizations - workers, employees, peasants, intellectuals and artisans, Christians, liberals and socialists - cooperate in a spirit of unanimity at all levels of government. With the election of the State Council, this principle also extended to the highest body of state power. Members of all parties and mass organizations, representatives of all segments of the population work in it with a full consciousness of responsibility.

The creation of the State Council was also dictated by another consideration - the need to introduce the principle of collective leadership. Everywhere in government bodies and institutions, leadership should be carried out by boards, taking into account the responsibility of each individual person. The collective knowledge and experience of several individuals allows the best decision to be made, taking into account all the circumstances of the case. A group of people knows and sees more than one person. The principle of collegiality has been applied in all areas of public life for a number of years. That is why the People's Chamber, at its meeting on September 12, 1960, decided to abolish the post of president of the republic and create a State Council.

Are the powers of the State Council only of a representative nature?

The principle of collective leadership of the state was consistent with the provision to the State Council GDR broader powers than the usual functions of representation vested in the president.

Article 106 of the Constitution, as laid down in the Law establishing the Council of State of September 12, 1960,

sets:

“The State Council of the Republic calls elections to the People's Chamber and convenes its first meeting after the elections;

may conduct a national poll; ratifies and denounces international treaties German Democratic Republic;

appoints and recalls authorized representatives German Democratic Republic in foreign countries;

accepts credentials and letters of recall from diplomatic representatives of foreign states accredited to him;

provides a generally binding interpretation of laws; issues decisions that have the force of law; makes fundamental decisions on issues of defense and security of the country;

approves the fundamental orders of the National Defense Council German Democratic Republic;

appoints members of the National Defense Council German Democratic Republic;

sets military ranks, diplomatic ranks and special ranks;

awards the Order and other high awards and assigns honorary titles; exercises the right of pardon." State Council GDR has the right to make important political decisions, for which he, however, is obliged at any time to report to the People's Chamber as the highest body of popular representation.

Who is on the State Council?

The State Council consists of 24 people. It consists of a chairman, six deputies, 16 members and a secretary.

Chairman - Walter Ulbricht, First Secretary of the Socialist Unity Party Germany. Deputy Chairmen:

Otto Grotewohl, Chairman of the Council of Ministers German Democratic Republic, member of the Politburo of the SED Central Committee;

Dr. Johannes Diekmann, Chairman of the People's Chamber, Deputy Chairman of the LDPD;

Gerald Götting, Member of the People's Chamber, Secretary General of the HDSG;

Heinrich Homan, Deputy Chairman of the People's Chamber, Deputy Chairman of the NPD;

Manfred Gerlach, Member of the People's Chamber, Secretary General of the LDPD;

Hans Ritz, member of the People's Chamber, head of the main department of the CMR board.

Among the members of the State Council are the famous worker Louise Ermisch, the leading peasant woman, member of the agricultural industrial complex Irmgard Neumann and the famous scientist Professor Dr. Erich Correns. So the State Council GDR represents the cohesion and growing moral and political unity of our population. Members of the State Council are elected for a term of 4 years. The Chairman, his deputies, members and the Secretary of the State Council may be recalled by the People's Chamber to which they are accountable. And this provision, enshrined in law, is another evidence that the highest body of people's representation is the main body of state power, vested with extensive powers.

Is the government elected by parliament?

Yes. According to the Constitution, the largest faction in the House of the People nominates a candidate for the post of chairman of the Council of Ministers, which then forms the government. The People's Chamber approves the composition of the government. Members of the government take an oath to the Chairman of the Council of State that they will act in accordance with the Constitution. The government must enjoy the trust of the People's Chamber, to which it is accountable. In accordance with democratic principles, the People's Chamber can refuse confidence in a minister or several members of the government - and not just the chancellor, as in Germany - and force them to resign.

In order to ensure the participation of all democratic forces of various political trends in the management of state affairs, all factions of the House of the People, numbering at least 40 members, must, according to the Constitution GDR, are represented in the government in proportion to their number by ministers or secretaries of state.

Who is in the government?

The government includes: the chairman of the Council of Ministers, his deputies, the chairman of the State Planning Commission, the chairman of the National Economy Council, ministers, the state secretary for higher and special education, the state secretary for scientific research and technicians and chairman of the Central Commission of State Control.

In accordance with the nature of the State, the Government consists of representatives of the workers. All parties are represented in it GDR. Most government members come from working class backgrounds. Other layers exercising power in alliance with the working class are also represented in the government. Government composition GDR reflects the entire set of parties and organizations represented in the National Democratic Front Germany.

The government includes figures such as the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Otto Grotewohl. A printer by profession, he participated in the labor movement for many years and was a member of the Reichstag from the Social Democratic Party. After 1933, while underground, he fought against fascism, and after 1945, as chairman of the Central Board of the Social Democratic Party, he actively advocated the unification of the two parties of the working class.

Paul Scholz, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers, was a former agricultural worker. He was arrested for his underground anti-fascist activities. After 1945, he worked as deputy editor-in-chief of the newspaper Der Freie Bauer. In 1948 he participated in the creation of the Peasant Democratic Party Germany.

Here is the current composition of the Council of Ministers GDR:

Chairman of the Council of Ministers Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers for Coordination and Control Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Health Deputy Chairman of the Council

Ministers Deputy Chairman of the Council

Ministers Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers for Coordination of Fundamental Issues of the National Economy Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers for Trade, Supply and Agriculture Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers for Culture and Education Chairman of the State Planning Commission and Minister Chairman of the People's Council

Economy and Minister Minister of the Interior Minister of Finance Minister of National Defense

Minister of Foreign and Internal Affairs

Mansk Trade Minister of Trade and Supply Minister of Agriculture and Forestry

Economy and Procurement Minister of Transport Minister of Post and Communications Minister of Construction

Otto Grotewohl

Willy Stoff

^.Max Zefrin Dr. Max Zurbier Paul Scholz

Dr. Lothar Boltz Bruno Leuschner

Dr. Greta Witkowski

Alexander Abush

Karl Mevis

Alfred Neumann Karl Marohn Willy Rumpf Army General Heinz Hoffmann

Julius Balkow Kurt-Heinz Merkel

Hans Reichelt Erwin Kramer Friedrich Burmeister Ernst Scholz

Minister of Culture

Minister of Public Education

Minister of Justice Minister of State Security

Stats -Secretary for Higher and Special Education Affairs State Secretary for Scientific Research and Technology (Secretary of the Research Council) Chairman of the Central Commission for State Control

Hans Bentzius Prof. Dr Alfred Lemnitz

Dr. Hilda Benyamipe

Erich Mielke Dr. Wilhelm Girnus

prof. Dr. Hans Fruauf

Hans Jendrecki

How are the tasks of the governments of the two German states different?

Tasks of the Council of Ministers (i.e. government) GDR more extensive and versatile compared to the tasks of the Bonn government. He is the highest level of government GDR. He is charged with the responsibility of conducting government affairs. The Council of Ministers, on the basis of and in execution of laws and decisions of the People's Chamber and decisions of the State Council, manages the work of socialist construction in the political sphere; economic and cultural areas. He directs, checks and improves the activities of government bodies, ensuring a harmonious combination central planning and leadership with the broadest participation of workers in the management of the state and the economy. The Council of Ministers represents the Republic in the field of diplomatic relations with foreign countries. It ensures the maintenance of peace and order within the country and the protection of the socialist achievements of the working people from the attacks of internal and external enemies. For this purpose, it has at its disposal the People's Police, the State Security Organs and the National People's Army.

In accordance with the peace policy pursued GDR, the Council of Ministers is primarily entrusted with the task of ensuring the peace and future of the nation. Therefore, he has already repeatedly addressed the West German government with numerous proposals regarding negotiations on issues of disarmament, reunification Germany and the conclusion of a peace treaty. Bonn rejected all these proposals.

Of particular importance are the tasks of the Council of Ministers in the economic, cultural and social fields, which are fundamentally different from the functions of previous governments in Germany and the Bonn* government. The socialist state carries out planning and management of the entire national economy and development in the cultural and social fields. It became for the government GDR possible because the main means of production are in the hands of the people.

Based on the national economic plan adopted by the People's Chamber, the Council of Ministers outlines specific measures for the development of the economy, culture and social security and determines the general line in raising the living standards of the population. For this purpose, it has at its disposal the State Planning Commission, the National Economic Council, ministries and other economic, cultural and social institutions.

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According to the Constitution, the Council of Ministers has the right to submit bills to the People's Chamber. In addition, the Council of Ministers itself can issue resolutions that do not go beyond the laws and decisions of the People's Chamber.

New regulations on the tasks and operating procedures of local people's representatives and their bodies, developed as a result of a comprehensive exchange of experience with all segments of the population and government bodies and adopted on June 28, 1961, consolidate the best methods of public administration. The activities of all local bodies are now developing on their basis.