East Germany. After World War 11, the Soviet Union appointed German Communists to local offices and set up a system much like that of the Soviet Union. Banks, farms, and industries were seized and reorganized. People suspected of opposing Communism were thrown into prison camps. In 1946, the Communists forced the Social Democratic Party to join them in forming the Socialist Unity Party. The party came under control of the Communist leader Walter Ulbricht. Ulbricht became first secretary, or head, of the Socialist Unity Party, the first secretary (later general secretary) was the most powerful leader in East Germany.
In August 1961, the Communists built the Berlin Wall between East and West Berlin. They also strengthened barriers around the rest of West Berlin and along the border between East and West Germany. From 196l to 1989, when the borders were opened, hundreds died trying to escape from East Germany, including many who tried to cross the Berlin Wall.
East Germany experienced major changes in 1989. !n many Eastern European nations, people demonstrated against their Communist governments. Communist Hungary removed its barriers on its border with non-Communist Austria. Thousands of East Germans went to Hungary, crossed into Austria, and then moved to West Germany. Throughout East Germany, citizens protested for more freedom.
In March 1990, East Germany held free parliamentary elections, and non-Communists gained control of the government. With the end of Communist control in East Germany, many Germans in Fast and West Germany began considering unification, in July 1990, East Germany and West Germany united their economies into one system. In August, both nations signed a treaty to finalize unification. The treaty took effect on October 3. That December, the first national elections after unification were held. East Germany started printing their stamps in 1948, after World War II. The first Marian Stamps were printed in 1955.
* Taken from The World Book Encyclopedia. (Chicago: World Book, Inc.), pg 175.
