East Germany

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Introduction References & Edit History

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Inside the pervasive surveillance by East Germany's Stasi

Transfer of power from Walter Ulbricht to Erich Honecker in East Germany

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East Germany

historical nation, Germany

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Also known as: DDR, Deutsche Demokratische Republik, German Democratic Republic, Ostdeutschland

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Nov 8, 2024 • Article History

Quick Facts

Officially:: German Democratic Republic

German:: Ostdeutschland or Deutsche Demokratische Republik

Date:: 1949 - 1990

Major Events:: German reunification; Helsinki Accords; Warsaw Pact

Key People:: Claudia Pechstein; Martin Andersen Nexo; Katarina Witt; Erich Honecker; Walter Ulbricht

News •

The Berlin Wall: A divide that once shaped German women's lives still echoes today • Nov. 8, 2024, 2:58 AM ET (AP)

Former officer with East Germany’s secret police sentenced to prison for a border killing in 1974 • Oct. 14, 2024, 8:46 AM ET (AP)

East Germany, former country (1949–90) that constitutes the northeastern section of present-day Germany.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by J.E. Luebering.