Life in the German Democratic Republic: A Perspective from East Germany

The German Democratic Republic (GDR), more commonly known as East Germany, was the eastern part of Germany from 1949 to 1990. Life there was characterized by significant challenges and constraints, yet many individuals, like a woman I spoke to, shared stories of adaptability and resilience.

The Challenges and Constraints

By early 1960, the GDR faced severe shortages of raw materials, industrial products, and food. The country was heavily in debt to both the USSR and the West. Far from catching up with West Germany, the GDR was falling further behind. The exodus from East to West Germany was a constant concern. In the early 1960s, an average of 250,000 people per year were leaving, with a slight fluctuation in 1959 and a peak of 199,000 in 1960 (Taylor 119). This exodus was driven by tight restrictions, mass surveillance, and chronic resource shortages.

The Power Dynamics

In response to the exodus, East German dictator Wilhelm Ulbricht asked Soviet dictator Nikita Khrushchev for additional Soviet workers to alleviate labor shortages, but Khrushchev was outraged (Taylor 119). Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the GDR refused to overcome supply issues, facing shortages of everyday items like toothbrushes, potatoes, sanitary towels, and toilet paper (Taylor 347-348). The environment was described as dull, shabby, and polluted, making the state a less than ideal place to live.

A Personal Perspective

Despite these challenges, life for some individuals in East Germany was "normal" as long as one kept their head low and didn't try anything stupid (Taylor 119). I had the opportunity to speak with a woman who was born and raised in the GDR. She described life as a struggle to obtain basic supplies, but everyone worked to maintain the town's cleanliness, and her father provided for her and her mother. Crime rates were low, and she had a good childhood.

Adaptation and Learning

As a teenager, she began to learn about the world and heard stories about the West. She was taught to keep quiet about her feelings and never express disappointment or unhappiness about the government outside the home. She did manage to watch some illegal West German TV shows, which made her believe the rich West was just for TV. Her relationship with her mother was very close and fulfilling. She was just starting to date when the Berlin Wall came down. After a few weeks, she and her family were able to visit West Germany and were shocked at the foreignness and the wonder of the new world. Despite this, she eventually married and stayed in eastern Germany, remaining comfortable.

Understanding and Happiness

What many do not understand is that she was happy and never expressed anger about being in a communist system, as she did not know any better. She found happiness in a system that provided basic needs and stability, and she was deeply content until the fall of the Berlin Wall revealed a vastly different world beyond the Iron Curtain.

The story of this woman and others from the GDR provides a glimpse into the reality of life during the Cold War, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of people in a challenging environment. Though life was far from perfect, many found ways to thrive within the constraints of the system.