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The German Democratic Republic, 1949–90

Gorbachev’s influence

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 2

Overview

Recall questions on Honecker's rejection of perestroika, the banning of Sputnik, the opposition groups, the falsified election of May 1989, and Gorbachev's warning.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started
Who and when

How did Gorbachev's reforms affect the GDR?

Key term

Which opposition groups grew in the GDR?

Key term

Why was Gorbachev's example so dangerous for the GDR?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    How did Gorbachev's reforms affect the GDR?

    Model answer

    Perestroika and glasnost encouraged pressure for reform that the SED resisted.

  2. 2

    Which opposition groups grew in the GDR?

    Model answer

    Protestant church-based peace and reform groups.

  3. 3

    How did Honecker respond to perestroika?

    Model answer

    He rejected it; his chief ideologist Kurt Hager said that one does not need to repaper one's flat because a neighbour is redecorating, and some Soviet publications were banned in the GDR.

  4. 4

    Why was Gorbachev's example so dangerous for the GDR?

    Model answer

    The GDR's existence was justified by its socialism; a reforming USSR made East German rigidity look indefensible and removed the guarantee of Soviet intervention.

  5. 5

    What was the significance of banning Sputnik?

    Model answer

    Prohibiting a Soviet magazine in November 1988 for discussing the Nazi–Soviet Pact and pre-1933 communist policy made the regime look absurd and alienated even loyal party members.

  6. 6

    Which opposition groups emerged in the 1980s?

    Model answer

    New Forum, Democracy Now, the Initiative for Peace and Human Rights and church peace groups, mostly seeking a reformed socialism rather than reunification.

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AThe government admitted 96 dead and 333 wounded.
BOther estimates run to several hundred dead.
COpponents claimed thousands.

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