East Germany - DER SPIEGEL

Zum Inhalt springen

Foto: ARND WIEGMANN/ REUTERS

East Germany

Founded in 1949, the German Democratic Republic was beholden to the Soviet Union until reunification with West Germany on Oct. 3, 1990. Today, the states of Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia comprise what was once East Germany.

Alle Beiträge

Russian President's Years in Germany Seem Less Exciting than the Stories

Putin the Pen-Pusher? Russian President's Years in Germany Seem Less Exciting than the Stories

Wild stories have circulated for years about Vladimir Putin's time with the KGB in Dresden. There are even rumors he helped orchestrate a murder carried out by German terrorists. But reporting by DER SPIEGEL has found that the Russian leader was more of a pen-pusher than a top agent. By Sven Röbel und Wolfgang Tietze

East German Art Heist Mystery Nears Resolution - BStU

Four Decades Later East German Art Heist Mystery Nears Resolution

Forty years ago, thieves swiped five valuable paintings from an East German museum. Now, they have finally been returned, thanks largely to the mayor of the town from which they were taken. But the mystery hasn't yet been solved. Von Konstantin von Hammerstein

The Little-Known Tragedy of Forced Adoptions in East Germany - Nora Klein/ DER SPIEGEL

Broken Bond The Little-Known Tragedy of Forced Adoptions in East Germany

The East German state had a habit of taking children from politically undesirable parents and giving them up for adoption. It is a horrific aspect of the communist regime that has never received the attention it deserves. That may now be changing. Von Annette Großbongardt

The Riots in Chemnitz and Their Aftermath - MATTHIAS RIETSCHEL/ REUTERS

Return of the Ugly German? The Riots in Chemnitz and Their Aftermath

In Chemnitz, refugees find themselves under threat by neo-Nazis and hooligans. Politicians have pledged to take a hard line against right-wing extremist violence, but they look helpless nonetheless. Meanwhile, the right wing seems to have the upper hand in Saxony. By DER SPIEGEL Staff

Why Is the Former East Germany Tilting Populist? - Hermann Bredehorst/ DER SPIEGEL

A Country, Still Divided Why Is the Former East Germany Tilting Populist?

The Berlin Wall fell 28 years ago, yet vast divisions remain between the former East and West of the country. In the recent election, the populist AfD party did particularly well in the eastern states. But why? By DER SPIEGEL staff

Web of Surveillance East German Snitching Went Far Beyond the Stasi

Everyone knows about the Stasi and the extent to which it spied on the East German populace. But that was only a small part of the informing that went on. New research shows that snitching was vastly more common than previously thought. Von Peter Wensierski

What Today's Germany Owes to Its Once-Communist East - STR/ REUTERS

The Merkel Effect What Today's Germany Owes to Its Once-Communist East

East Germany ceased to exist following the 1989 revolution and the fall of the Berlin Wall. But did the former communist country help shape today's Germany? The answer is yes, and Chancellor Merkel is a big reason why. Von Dirk Kurbjuweit

No Justice for Victims of Regime's Treasure Hunt - Joanna Nottebrock/ DER SPIEGEL

East Germany's Blood Art No Justice for Victims of Regime's Treasure Hunt

East German officials systematically stole from the country's art collectors and sold their possessions to raise hard currency. Families have sought for years to reclaim the treasures or to obtain compensation. In a rare success, one family in America recently retrieved some of its heirlooms. Von Rainer Erices, Nicola Kuhrt und Peter Wensierski

German Reunification Memorials Hit the Wall - Milla&Partner/ Sasha Waltz/ DPA

Going Bats German Reunification Memorials Hit the Wall

Two monuments to East Germany's peaceful revolution of 1989 were supposed to be unveiled in time for the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall this autumn. But due to a raft of obstacles, from roosting bats to technical challenges, neither project will be ready on time. Von Stefan Berg und Steffen Winter

Why Many Former East Germans Don't Vote - A9999 DB dpa/ dpa

Why Many Former East Germans Don't Vote

Von Friederike Heine

The Story of Berlin's Rotting Amusement Park - Clara Fohrbeck

Roller Coaster Ride The Story of Berlin's Rotting Amusement Park

With its rusting rides and a Ferris wheel turning idly in the wind, a defunct East German amusement park in Berlin fascinates locals and tourists alike. Repeated attempts to reopen "Spreepark" have been thwarted by administrative chaos and incompetence. Von Gesa Mayr

Legendary Berlin Dance Hall Turns 100 - JOHANNES EISELE/ AFP

The Beat Goes On Legendary Berlin Dance Hall Turns 100

Clärchens Ballhaus has seen illegal dueling, Nazi dancing bans, wartime destruction and communist black-marketeering. Fans celebrating its 100th anniversary this week say it retains a timeless charm that makes it an enduring icon of Berlin nightlife. Von Kristen Allen

Photos Reveal the Stasi Art of Disguise - Simon Menner/ BStU 2013

Spy Games Photos Reveal the Stasi Art of Disguise

East Germany's feared secret police had a bit of a sartorial flair, photos found by artist Simon Menner in the Stasi archive reveal. The images, which offer a glimpse into the clandestine world of phony facial hair and the all-important hat, are set to be published in a book this fall. Von Karin Schulze

Searching for Scandal in Steinbrück's Stasi File - Julian Stratenschulte/ dpa

Searching for Scandal in Steinbrück's Stasi File

Von Charles Hawley

West German Scandal Spurs Push For New Law - A_96/ picture-alliance / dpa

The Straight Dope West German Scandal Spurs Push For New Law

Although reports two years ago of widespread doping in West German sports prompted outrage, politicians have done nothing. Some are hoping a rekindled public debate may lead to the passage of an effective anti-doping law. If Italy and Spain have done it, they argue, so can Germany. Von Detlef Hacke, Udo Ludwig und Michael Wulzinger

East German Papers Offer Glimpse of History - Staatsbibliothek Berlin

Digitizing the GDR East German Papers Offer Glimpse of History

From advertisements to propaganda to personal interest stories, the newspapers of Communist East Germany are a historical wellspring. Thanks to a four-year digital achiving project, three major papers are now available for free online. Von Charly Wilder

How Springsteen Helped Tear Down the Wall - Herbert Schulze

Chimes of Freedom How Springsteen Helped Tear Down the Wall

In July 1988, Bruce Springsteen gave East Germany the biggest rock concert it ever saw. In a new book, journalist Erik Kirschbaum says the Boss inspired an entire generation to strive for more freedom -- and deserves some credit for the fall of the Berlin Wall. Von David Crossland

Berlin Lays Cornerstone of Troubled Palace - Hannibal Hanschke/ dpa

The Next Disaster? Berlin Lays Cornerstone of Troubled Palace

The cornerstone was laid on Wednesday on the reconstruction of the Berlin palace that was once home to Prussian rulers. The need for such a structure is debatable, and funding looks shaky. It could become yet another addition to Germany's collection of cursed construction projects.

Secret Shots of Hitler's Bunker

Forbidden Photos Secret Shots of Hitler's Bunker

Starting in 1987, Robert Conrad risked his freedom to secretly photograph Adolf Hitler's decaying bunker in what was then East Berlin. Disguised as a construction worker, he snuck inside some 30 times, and has now finally revealed his work. Von Christoph Gunkel

Deadly Drug Trials Western Firms Bribed East German Doctors

It wasn't just the East German government that benefited from risky patient drug trials commissioned by Western pharmaceutical manufacturers decades ago. These companies also sent liaisons with lavish gifts to bribe and influence doctors to participate. Von Nicola Kuhrt und Peter Wensierski

Seite 1 / 6

Ältere Artikel

Die Wiedergabe wurde unterbrochen.

Merkliste

Speichern Sie Ihre Lieblingsartikel in der persönlichen Merkliste, um sie später zu lesen und einfach wiederzufinden.

Sie haben noch kein SPIEGEL-Konto? Jetzt registrieren

Mehrfachnutzung erkannt

Bitte beachten Sie: Die zeitgleiche Nutzung von SPIEGEL+-Inhalten ist auf ein Gerät beschränkt. Wir behalten uns vor, die Mehrfachnutzung zukünftig technisch zu unterbinden.

Sie möchten SPIEGEL+ auf mehreren Geräten zeitgleich nutzen? Zu unseren Angeboten