The experiences of those in East Germany were harsher than in Western sectors
Stalin was determined Germany should pay for its wartime actions against the USSR
Food, industrial equipment and countless other resources were gathered up and shipped out of East Germany
By 1948, this phase had largely ended and a new communist government was set up under Walter Ulbricht
Ulbricht scrapped East Germany's constitution in 1950 and reorganised the SED along USSR lines
A purge against political opponents began; the state took control of the media and education system
While the newly formed Stasi (secret police) kept a close eye of opposition to the regime
1952 - Ulbricht announces the Building of Socialism programme; this led to no 'economic miracle' in East Germany
Ulbricht brought in compulsory state control of agriculture; hoping to grow enough food for the population and send a surplus to Stalin
For East Germans, the result of Ulbricht's policies were shortages and repression, food was rationed and attempts to protest were shutdown by the Stasi
The result of these problems was widespread violent protest; June 1953, workers went on strike in East Berlin and protested in the streets
In a number of days, 1 million people had joined in
East German police, alongside Soviet troops moved in and crushed the rebellion
Around 500 died and 5,000 were arrested