Table of Contents
What did the East Germans call the Stasi?
Ministry for State Security
Stasi, official name Ministerium für Staatsicherheit (German: “Ministry for State Security”), secret police agency of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany). The Stasi was one of the most hated and feared institutions of the East German communist government.
Why did East Germans defect?
Escapees had various motives for attempting to flee East Germany. The vast majority had an essentially economic motive: they wished to improve their living conditions and opportunities in the West. Some fled for political reasons, but many were impelled to leave by specific social and political events.
Why did East Germans protest?
Safe in the knowledge that the Lutheran Church supported their resistance, many dissatisfied East German citizens gathered in the court of the church, and non-violent demonstrations began in order to demand rights such as the freedom to travel to foreign countries and to elect a democratic government.
Did the Stasi get punished?
“Although ministers and state secretaries were punished for their crimes against humanity, they usually didn’t have to go to prison (long), or were sentenced to community service.” Erick Honecker (party leader from 1970 to 1989) for example, was held responsible for the death of 192 people, but thanks to health …
Why couldn’t East Germans visit West Germany?
It was forbidden to export East German currency out of the East, but money not spent could be left at the border for possible future visits. Tourists crossing from the west had to also pay for a visa, which cost DM 5; West Berliners did not have to pay this.
Why did people move from East Berlin to West Berlin?
By 1961, Cold War tensions over Berlin were running high again. For East Germans dissatisfied with life under the communist system, West Berlin was a gateway to the democratic West. Between 1949 and 1961, some 2.5 million East Germans fled from East to West Germany, most via West Berlin.
Which Soviet leader opposed force against Berlin protests?
Premier Georgy Malenkov
Soviet Premier Georgy Malenkov warned them that changes were essential to avoid a catastrophe in East Germany.