Abstract
The state of East Germany was established in 1949 under Communist rule, and its capital, the city of Berlin, became a symbol of division between Western democratic Europe and Eastern Communist Europe. While, in theory, Communism appeared to be the perfect ideology, when imposed upon East Germany, Communism proved itself to be an unattainable ideal. Through the analysis of the rise of Communism, leadership under Communist rule, and the fall of Communism in East Germany, this paper proves that Communism is, indeed, an unrealistic and unachievable ideology.

From the Paper
"Communism's political and economic ascension to power had a tremendous impact on East Germans. WWII left the people of Germany unstable and insecure. When the Allies took control over Germany and eradicated all traces of the previous Nazi government, the common people of Germany were both relieved and scared of what was to come. They knew for sure, however, that they did not want to be under communist rule as in 1946, when the free elections took place, East Berliners failed to elect the East German Communist Party. Unfortunately, the Soviet Union would not accept defeat, so it created the Socialist Unity Party, a "political force for the common people". Tricked by the new image and influenced by propaganda, the majority of East Germans elected the SED."

Tags:Khrushchev, SED, Berlin, Wall

Abstract
This paper examines how East and West Germany were two very different places for people coming from the same ethnic background. The Cold War created two different societies. It explains how, when Gorbachev came along, he attempted to reform the USSR and provide "New Thinking" that would give the crumbling regime a new lease on life. The policies were very slow to take hold, but when they did, events moved at a dizzying pace. It discusses how Perestroika and Glasnost effectively gave the East German people the ability to rise up against their Communist leaders and end the Cold War.

From the Paper
"When Gorbachev took control of the Soviet Union on March 11, 1985, he inherited an institution filled with corruption and cynicism. The Soviet Union's industrial equipment and transportation was obsolete and the rate of economic growth had declined. For a global super power, the living conditions were deplorable. Employees were often drunk or neglected to show up for work, which resulted in low productivity, and lower quality consumer goods. Consumer goods were as well, in very short supply. With the Soviets computer technology lacking in comparison to that of the Americans, it seemed as though the USSR was loosing its grip as a global superpower."

Tags:superpower, communism, regime, new, thinking, gorbachev, Glasnost, cold, war

Abstract
The unification of former East Germany and former West Germany back into the singular Germany as it was prior to World War II in 1989 is commonly cited as a text book scenario of healing ideological and economic divisions between rival states. It also is quoted often as model of reunification for North and South Korea to follow in their eventual reunification as well. Yet, how difficult was the execution of the reunification of East and West Germany? This paper presents a brief examination of each countries' economy prior to reunification, as it reveals much regarding the hurdles that had to be overcome regarding the recombination of German society within the framework of a homogeneous political and economic paradigm.

Tags:germany, reunification, economic

Abstract
This essay analyzes the effectiveness of the Stasi, the former secret police agency in East Germany, in defending the former German Democratic Republic's government. The author attempts to prove that the Stasi carried out their task adequately and efficiently, showing how aspects beyond the Stasi's control caused the fall of communism in East Germany. A brief history of the Stasi is presented, highlighting some of their operations and recruiting methods. The question of what makes a successful secret police agency is also discussed. The paper includes information about the Stasi's leadership under Erich Mielke. In summary, the author reiterates that the Stasi, was one of the most capable secret police agencies in the world. The paper uses MLA style footnotes but does not include a works cited page.

From the Paper
"The word Stasi comes from an abbreviation of the German word Staatssicherhei, literally State Security . Founded on 9 February 1950 under William Zaisser, the Stasi was modeled after both the Russian Checka and the Soviet MGB. Until the collapse of the GDR in 1991, the Stasi remained an extremely loyal and effective partner to the Soviets. Although the Stasi were officially granted independence in 1950, it was really only a superficial independence, as the now KGB employed liaison officers within the Stasi until 1990 3. This relationship is more logical when you think of the GDR in the context of its relationship with the Soviet Union. As the USSR acted as a big brother to the GDR, it makes sense for their respective security agencies to take similar roles."

Tags:Communism, German Democratic Republic, Erich Mielke, Secret Police, Gestapo, Checka

From the Paper
"East Germany - Waking to a Western World
More than ten years after the reunification of Germany, the jolts and jostles of economic and political merger continue to plague the nation. The two Germanies have yet to blend into a one confluent economic entity, and a decade of Western aid and Eastern dependence has cultivated resentment on both sides. Stereotypes classifying the "Wessies" of the West as arrogant moneygrubbers, and the "Ossies" of the East as shiftless freeloaders have persisted through the 90s, intensifying frustrations. Some economists wonder if the East will manage to catch up with the West within the next twenty-five years. In the final analysis, though the old Communist regime did afford the East German citizens perks like job security and cheap housing, the new East Germany is in fact a better place ten years after the..."

Abstract
This paper examines the current social, economic and cultural state of a United Germany. It looks at how the previously ultra nationalistic country has been used as an example by the EU to show that a country can maintain its own identity and still be part of a Greater Europe. Contemporary history of Germany is examined, since the collapse of the Berlin Wall until present.

From the Paper
"After the fall of Berlin Wall and the Unification of West Germany and East Germany, the United Germany due to its size and strength has often been perceived as the leader of the European Union. This situation and perception worries and annoys the other European Union members because of the German reputation in the past, in the World War. This problem which is often called the "German Problem" and as European members try not to hold past against Germany to such degree that it damages integration. The problem of European Security was the major concern and an essential determinant in all proposals and considerations on Germany's European integration. The image of Germany in the past was also a major consideration and its neighbors knew that a united Germany would emerge at some stage in the postwar developments, despite the fact that they would have prefer the partition to remain in post war Europe."

Tags:belin, wall, nazi, history, europe, postwar, international, trade

Abstract
This paper examines the record of the state sponsored Olympic program of East Germany. The author describes the administration of the program by the Secret Police.

From the Paper
"The purpose of this research is to examine the record of the state-sponsored Olympics program of East Germany also called the German Democratic Republic DDR in German from ... through the fall of the Berlin Wall in ... . The plan of the research will be to set forth ..."

Tags:East, Germany, Olympic, Games, Anabolic, Steroids, Manfred, Ewald

Abstract
This paper examines the social, political, and economic issues that have affected Germany since the 1990 reunification. It looks at the hardships that face the government in trying to bring together the decrepit society of East Germany with the modern industrial economy of West Germany. The writer addresses issues such as unemployment, increased far-right activity, the European Union, internal political problems and the country's stance on abortion.

From the Paper
"The initial excitement led to unrealistic expectations, both in the west and the east. For East Germans, unification meant they would have the same political freedom and standard of living found in West Germany. The government of a unified Germany could give the former without great difficulty. As for the latter, West Germany deluded itself into believing that it could raise East Germany's standard of living with the same ease (Edinger & Nacos, 1998, pp. 16-17).
Thus, during the spring of 1990, many politicians and planners in West Germany focused on the deprivation faced by East German consumers. Western policymakers assumed that an infusion of cash into the former East Germany would pump up consumer spending and jump-start that region's economy. They also assumed that greater buying power would stem the flow of refugees and entice many to return to East Germany. Hundreds of thousands had fled East Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall, precipitating the crisis that brought down the East German government (Maier, 1997, pp. 230-233)."

Tags:political, social, economic, europe, abortion, umemployment, east, west, berlin

From the Paper
" Eastern Europe has ceased to exist. This artificial creation of Yalta existed only as long as the Soviet army could support the doubtful legitimacy of communist regimes throughout the region. When it became obvious that the Soviets were not going to use force to stop the wave of change in their European empire, the only thing needed was the first hole in the dike. After the change of government in Poland and the collapse of the communist party in Hungary, no one could stop the flood of freedom. The pace of events was astonishing. In a matter of just a few years, the Berlin wall was dismantled allowing for the reunification of East and West Germany and communism collapsed in virtually every nation of the region from Romania to Bulgaria.


The purpose of this research is to examine the political and economic developments in Eastern Europe as revealed in the..."

From the Paper
" The rise to power across Eastern Europe of a new revolutionary class of dissidents in 1989 and 1990--this time a class of anti-communist dissidents--has been one of the most dramatic changes in contemporary politics. Throughout Eastern Europe, thousands marched for freedom and bulldozers leveled statues of communist heroes, leaving Vladimer Lenin lying face down in the streets of a new era. Political parties headed by opponents of communist rule came to power through free elections in Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia; the communist regime of the German Democratic Republic was ousted by anti-communist dissidents, preparing the way for unification with West Germany; and non-communist political parties appeared for the first time since the Second World War in Bulgaria and Romania.

Partly because of a desire for a peaceful transition and.."