'Ulbricht's regime was remarkably successful in establishing a Communist society in East Germany'

'Ulbricht's regime was remarkably successful in establishing a Communist society in East Germany'

1. All the elements of a one party state present.

2. Changes to state-ownded industry and collectivised agriculture were successfully carried out.

3. Workers were supportive as they had reasonable security in employment.

4. The GDR was the wealthiest country in the Eastern bloc by 1955 - further stability.

5. Female equality guaranteed - increasing Communist support

6. Growth of schools and universities also helped create a Communist society for the future.

7. High levels of membership in the youth organisations - less trouble cause by the youth in the GDR than FRG

8. Both the Catholic and Protestant Churches survived outside the Communist orbit.

9. Complaints about the loss of personal freedom – e.g. compulsory TU organisation; promotion dependent on political conformity

10. The use of the Stasi (founded 1950) suggests the shallowness of the Communist acceptance.

11. The continual drain of East Germans moving to the West up until 1961 indicates non acceptance of Communism.

    • 3.454 million of them left between 1950 and the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961

12. Riots of 1953 showed economic and political disatification as well as the GDR's heavy reliance on the USSR.