Unit 2E.2 – The German Democratic Republic, 1949-90
Topic 3 (Life in the GDR, 1949-1985) and Topic 4 (Growing crises and
the collapse of the communist rule in the GDR , 1985-90)
What to expect: (87 PAGES)
- All the notes and detailed guide on everything you need to know
about Topic 1 and 2 of the GDR History Edexcel course.
- A-A* students targeted with facts and figures, own knowledge and
historians such as Mary Fulbrook , Mario Kebler , Anna Funder and
Anne Applebaum used to aid my notes to enhance understanding
and provide detail which makes you stand out from other students.
Topic 3: Life in the GDR, 1949-1985
Aspect of Life 1: Social change and welfare programmes:
The Social Contract:
SED supported social and welfare programmes to provide a satisfactory
standard of living.
As the economy developed, standards should’ve too.
Honecker had spoken of the connection between the economy and social
policy was to ensure no one got left behind as society developed.
This was the difference between socialism and capitalism where
groups could suffer in the face of overall developments.
Honecker regime in the 1970s to 1980s hoped to secure support through
social plans.
There was actual desire to improve living conditions without giving up
power.
Honecker had a genuine desire to improve living standards for the working
class.
Honecker developed the Social Contract in which minimum standards were
guaranteed in return for at least tacit support for the regime.
This policy became known as “really existing socialism” used first in 1973.
GDP on social welfare went from 12.7% to 16.8% from 1970 to 1979.
Does not include aspects like subsidised housing and guaranteed
job security.
State subsidies amounted to 8500 million Ostmarks in 1971.
Central features of the Social Contract were outlined in the “Main Task”.
This was announced by Honecker at the 1971 SED Conference.
Party was committed to improving living standards.
1
, This was based on the idea that happiness meant better labour
productivity.
Which would lead to developments in science and technology.
Improvements in social welfare were announced in the 1970s:
Honecker had created a very extensive and generous welfare system , living
standards was the highest in the Eastern Bloc and relations with the FRG
brand economic and personal benefit. GDR also remained a trusted ally to
the USSR.
Consumer goods were generally inferior to the Western world. Resented the
restrictions on individual freedoms. Repercussions could be severe.
Honecker’s first social policy programme was launched in April
1972.
Promised that that pensions and welfare benefits would
increase.
The minimum wage was increased in 1976.
Housing prioritised.
Healthcare was to be improved from September 1973.
Education would be expanded.
Pensions:
Ignored during Ulbricht’s years as they were non-productive.
With an ageing population, an increase in voluntary contributions, pensions
increased – by 20% between 1971-1972.
Overall increases of 6.5% between 1965 and 1972.
Old age pensions increased faster than benefits for anyone else.
The minimum monthly pension was increased from 230 to 300 Ostmarks in
December 1976.
And to 327 by 1979.
This was less than 33% of the average wage.
People would, therefore, remain in employment as long as
possible.
Public servants had 60 to 80% of their salary.
Much more generous than any other sector.
The minimum wage:
In October 1976, the monthly minimum wage was raised from 350 to
400 Ostmarks.
1 million people benefitted – 1 in 7 of the workforce.
This shows that so many were on comparatively low incomes.
It was hoped that increased wage would mean better productivity.
Little evidence to support this.
2
, The government had been reluctant to call for increased work norms since
the June 1953 rebellions.
Greater job security coupled with continuing problems such as
inadequate equipment and poor working conditions, many people
had no reason to work harder.
Major aspect of life was Housing:
Adequate housing was a key idea of a socialist state.
GDR faced critical housing problems since the beginning.
As much as ⅔ of the housing stock in major cities has been destroyed in
WW2. Widespread damage to housing areas especially in Berlin and Dresden
about 14% of its housing had been destroyed by 1945. This was very bad as
it also faced heavy emigration into the country.
The current housing was in poor conditions with half the homes only having
½ rooms. And only 3% of them having central heating.
30% only had a toilet and 22% only had a bath in 1950s. Progress was slow
and limited as in 1970s only 20% had central heating and 50% bath/shower.
Second reason was there was heavy need for housing in areas of new
industries in aid for the workers such as in chemical and electronics. Labour
force needs houses next to these new industries. Example Halle-Neustadt
(1967) needed homes for its workers in the chemical plant.
"Socialist new towns" : New housing for the masses which included health
centres, child care centres , community centres and sports facilities. This way
the interlinking of the workplace , housing and welfare was seen to lead the
community totally influenced by state ideology and policy. However these
focused on quantity not on quality. This was a way to cut costs hence quality
was sacrificed.
Where it had been renovated, by the 1970s it was often dilapidated and
falling once more into disrepair.
Most complaints in Eingaben throughout the existence of the GDR-related to
poor housing.
Ulbricht’s policy was to renovate existing stock wherever possible.
He took a personal interest in architectural design and the development of
new satellite towns, he however did not like the “barracks” nature of new
large housing estates.
Honecker was more concerned with quantity and the 1970s saw the
extensive building of accommodation.
This was popular:
In a Leipzig survey of people’s goals in October 1984, 53% said their
priority was a decent home.
3
, In Dresden in 1980 a survey of living standard satisfaction found
that only 35% were happy in older accommodation while the figure
rose to 76% of those living in newer housing.
There was no getting away from the fact that most people preferred new
homes.
Having said this, some would have welcomed any homes of their own.
By 1986 it was estimated that 7% of families still lacked their own homes
and had to share with parents or others.
Rents:
Rents, subsidised by the state, were cheap, often no more than 4% of
income.
This was often justified as one of the big advantages of living in the GDR.
Rent was 38 Ostmarks a month to 400 DM per month in Hamburg in the
FRG.
Residents of Berlin paid 1.00 to 1.25 Ostmarks per square meter of living
space.
This was a problem in that rents did not cover the costs of repair in many of
the older buildings.
Private homes comprised 10% of the housing market in the 1980s.
They were built at the rate of 11,000 to 12,000 a year and catered mainly for
the wealthier citizens.
Improvements made by Honecker
In 1976 it was announced a million new homes would be built by 1990.
Between 1971 and 1975 400,000 new homes were built and by 1980 the
target was actually exceeded (for once) with the rapid construction
of Plattenbau housing. Honecker poured resources into housing
constructions and included refurbishing older housings.
290,000 buildings were refurbished between 1971 and 1975. By the end of
the 1980s the SED spent 200 billion East German marks on the programme.
New towns and new estates:
Many new homes and towns needed to be built at the centre of new
industrial development.
The chemical industries around Frankfurt near the border with
Poland, which also attracted Polish workers.
In the three new towns of Schwedt, Eisenhüttenstadt and Guben, 75-83% of
residents worked in the massive new chemical and petrochemical factories.
Many of the new constructions here and throughout the GDR were huge,
often featureless concrete complexes with all the attendant problems of
4
