What was life really like in the former German Democratic Republic?

Question

Westernes were fed all kinds of propoganda suggesting that life in the former East Germany was almost unbearable. Can anyone offer a genuine account of what it was acutally like to live in the former Soviet zone of occupation?

Answer 1

There is a movie coming out, that was just nominated for a Golden Globe, that might give a good idea. It is called "The lives of others". Dunno if it is any good, but I am looking forward to it.

Answer 2

read stasiland by anna funder - very good accounts of life in the east....

Answer 3

hey, finally someone who asks and does not believe the stupid stories about hungry children ;)

life was very normal, just as in other countries, except for the democratic part (own opinion, good as long as it was the same as the one of the so-called "regime") and travelling (we could travel, but should hit more the eastern countries),

most of the people did not even notice these limits, it was just normal for us to go to the Czech Republic (e.g.) instead of France, we were working, going to school,..., just a very normal life, it's very funny to see how much similarity there is, same as you "westerners" were fed stupid we "easties" were fed stupid too, just the other way around

all in all I am glad that GDR does not excist anymore, as I have far more possibilities today, but I am neither ashamed nor sad that I was born there (not so many worries, less crimes...)

ask me for more

greets from Dresden

Anne

Answer 4

Hi, some is right was Anne is telling you. Many people lived in the former "GDR" and thought that's a normal life. But they were not free,could not travel in the free part of the world. People who want to leave that paradise were on the best way to prison or shot dead at the iron curtain.You had to watch what you were saying-your next neighbour could be a spy for the "STASI". Many people in from east Germany forgot these.

But many former communist people reached very good positions in Germany and are now working in the politics, police, federal police and the military. Bad....!!!

Answer 5

Check these out:

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/gxtoc.html

http://www.escapeartist.com/efam/55/Life...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_...