Part one. Before the 1963 'economic reform' -- The prevention of democratic change in East Germany after World War II -- The role of the soviet military administration in Germany (SMAD) -- The foundation of the GDR on October 7, 1949 -- Stalin's diplomatic initiative in March/April --...

Communism was a two-edged sword for the trustees of the former regime. Communist party members and their relatives enjoyed status and privileges, while secret police informants were often coerced to work clandestinely and gather compromising materials about friends, colleagues, and neighbors. We...

Communism was a two-edged sword for the trustees of the former regime. Communist party members and their relatives enjoyed status and privileges, while secret police informants were often coerced to work clandestinely and gather compromising materials about friends, colleagues, and neighbors. We...