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The German Democratic Republic, 1949–90

Repression and control

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 2

Overview

Recall questions on the size of the Stasi, Zersetzung, how informers were recruited, the youth organisations, and what happened to those who applied to emigrate.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started
Process

How did the Stasi control East German society?

Key term

What was the Stasi?

Key term

What youth organisation indoctrinated young people?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What was the Stasi?

    Model answer

    The Ministry for State Security — the secret police.

  2. 2

    What youth organisation indoctrinated young people?

    Model answer

    The Free German Youth (FDJ).

  3. 3

    What methods did the Stasi use?

    Model answer

    Mass surveillance, a huge network of informers and intimidation.

  4. 4

    How secure was popular support for the GDR?

    Model answer

    It was limited and rested heavily on surveillance and welfare provision.

  5. 5

    How large was the Stasi?

    Model answer

    Around 91,000 full-time employees and perhaps 170,000 unofficial collaborators by the late 1980s, one of the highest ratios of security personnel to population anywhere.

  6. 6

    What was Zersetzung?

    Model answer

    The Stasi technique of decomposition: undermining a target's life by spreading rumours, damaging relationships and careers, and moving objects in their home, rather than arresting them.

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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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