Study the Five Sources on Life in the German Democratic Republic 1953-63 and Then Answer Both Sub Questions

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German Democratic Republic Essay Question A Source A is a statement made by the GDR during June 1953. At this time there was an uprising in Western Germany after decisions made by Ulbricht and his Government to speed up the “systematic building of Socialism”. He intended to increase working hours by 10%, increase Stasi presence and add even more tax on any private businesses that still remained. Not only will this have had negative effects on people, but the death of Stalin three months before had left the organisation of the Soviet Union in question, and discontent was inevitable in the GDR, as reflected by the Source, as it states how capitalist methods have begun to intrude within its society. Source D is written ten years later, by which time Khrushchev had total control of the Communist State. Ulbricht had survived the Soviet Union’s de-Stalinisation, and the Berlin Wall was a very new addition to the Country’s capital. But even with the complete reform of policy over the last ten years of West Germany’s governing body, the Source still recognises influences from the west infiltrating the German Democratic Republic’s society, in this case describing its music as “manifestations of Western non-culture”. Both sources are similar in that they are both quick to scapegoat the west, and blame them for problems in their own society. Not only do they do this to stop themselves looking bad, but they also do it to blacken the name of western ideologies. Source D categorizes Western culture as being totally immoral, and against any ethical reasoning. Perhaps they would not make this point if it was not starting to become popular with the youth of its own nation. Source A takes a similar stance, although it addresses Western policies as opposed to its culture. It perceives the West as being arrogant and narrow minded, claiming they are “dissatisfied with the obvious

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