Why was East Germany officially known as the German Democratic Republic (Deutsche Demokratische Republik)...?

Question

...when it was effectively a single-party state?

Answer 1

A country's official name does not mean a lot. E.g. have a look at the USA: Hawaii does politically belong to the US although it certainly is a pacific island and has no geologic connection at all to the north american continent. And why is the US not called United States of North America?

There were several political parties in the former GDR. Forced by the Soviets the KPD (communist party) and SPD (social democratic party) had to union to become the all time dominating SED (something like "unified socialistic party"). Pro forma there were also elections (therefore "democratic"), even though it's more than likely that counting the votes had been manipulated assuring that the SED always won. But there was no big difference between the parties anyway because the government made sure that almost only people with "correct" attitudes got on the voting lists.

Answer 2

erm think it was because the country got split into four and the East was given to the Soviets.

Answer 3

Because they want to give the impression that they are democratic states - ruled by the people - whilst the west is ruled by dictator fascists!

All dictatorship countries use the word party/republic and then only have one man in charge...

The first republic was set up in Rome - during a dictatorship.

look at North Korea, Iran, China for example...

The German Democratic Republic (East Germany) was established in 1949 from the area of Germany occupied by the Soviet Union. East Berlin became the capital of the new country. As West Berlin remained part of the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) the capital was the cause of great conflict.

The main political figure in the German Democratic Republic was Walter Ulbricht who served as General Secretary of the Socialist Unity Party (1946-1971) and Chairman of the Council of State (1960-1971).

Answer 4

Democratic was the biggest lie against the people.

But it sounds good.

Better than 'Bundesrepublik'.

You have to go back in the time and try to thin like the people in the past GERMAN DEMOCRATIC sounds important but I think it was only the Hitler feeling in their heads.

GERMAN = DEUTSCH. We are good and we are right!!

Answer 5

Because thats the name they had chosen, and every country has the right to choose its own name.

Answer 6

Because the communist rulers (USSR), were trying to promote the idea that it was a democracy, of sorts. But they kidded no-one.

Answer 7

Because "Soviet Puppet Regime" was already taken ??

Answer 8

Its a sad fact that whenever a country includes the word Democratic in its title you can be absolutely sure there is no democracy in its government.  Look at the Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Democratic Republic of Korea for 2 current examples.  Democracy isn't perfect, but it isn't imposed from the top. Its got to be driven by the people.

Answer 9

They were told, and they knew better then to argue,