The document summarizes the origins and history of anti-regime protests and workers' uprisings in East Germany in 1953. It describes how Sovietization policies led to increased production quotas and cost of living, sparking strikes on June 16th. On the 17th, demonstrations grew across East Germany with demands for political reforms. Soviet troops and police suppressed the uprising, killing at least 55 people. The rebellion showed that Soviet rule had not been fully accepted and led to crackdowns by the East German government to prevent future unrest.
1. Ursprings of the anti-regime
protests during totalitarism 1953
and the uprising of the East
German workers crushed by
Soviet troops
By Martin Gradl, GMG Amberg
2. Contents:
• 1. Background
• - Increase of norms
• - „The New Course“
• 2. History of the uprising
• - Tuesday 16 June 1953
• - Wednesday 17 June 1953
• 3. Effects of the 1953 Rebellion
3. Increase of norms
• Walter Ulbricht, general • Second party
secretary of the SED conference of the SED
(July 1952): Ulbricht
decided that the process
of Sovietization should be
intensified and the
importance of the state
expanded. Farmers who
owned land or small
business owners were to
be forced to give up their
independence through
raised charges.
4. Increase of norms
• This decision was made • The Central Committee
on the background of decided to address the
the catastrophic economic difficulties with
economic situation in the a package of changes,
which included higher
country. The SED taxes and higher prices
favoured the and an increase of the
development of heavy work quotas by 10 %
industry at the expense of („more work for the same
the production of food salery“). All these
and consumer goods. It changes were to come
resulted in a severe crisis into force by 30 June
in supplying the public 1953 (Ulbricht‘s 60th
with goods. birthday).
5. „Spitzbart, Bauch und Brille – sind
nicht des Volkes Wille“ (Goatee
beard, belly and glasses – they are
not the will of the nation)
Walter Ulbricht, Wilhelm Pieck, Otto Grotewohl
6. „The New Course“
• The New Course was • Investment in heavy
initiated by the Soviet industry was to be cut
and production of
Union, but would be consumer goods stepped
applied to the GDR up. Private businesses
(East Germany) under that had been closed
its influence. down could start up
again. Farmers were
• There were three major promised back their land.
thrusts of the new Although the „New
course: improvement Course“ led to certain
material improvements, it
of consumer goods, the did not address the
end of terror and a productivity quotas that
relaxation of had been raised in May
ideological standards. 1953.
7. History of the uprising
Tuesday 16 June 1953
• On 16 June 300 East • The West Berlin-based
Berlin construction „Radio in the American
workers went on strike Sector RIAS“ reported
after their superiors the Berlin events and
announced a pay cut this probably helped to
if they did not meet incite the uprising in
their work quota. Their other parts of East
numbers quickly Germany.
swelled and a general
strike and protests were
called for the next day.
9. Wednesday 17 June 1953
• Throughout the night of 16 • On improved banners
June and early morning of and posters the
17 June, the news of events demonstrators
in East Berlin spread quickly demanded the norm
throughout the GDR. rescission, price
Crowds of workers began to decreases, the release of
gather in public places, and fellow protestors who had
began marching towards been arrested the day
the city center. Along with before, and even free all-
SED and FDJ functionaries, German elections. In the
police officials tried – usually morning about 25000
without success – to people were gathered in
convince the marchers to front of the House of
return to their workplaces Ministries, and tens of
and homes. thousands more were on
the way.
10. Wednesday 17 June 1953
• Some demonstrators • But fighting between Soviet
apparently managed to forces (and later GDR
storm the government seat, police) and the
visibly demonstrating that demonstrators continued
the 500 members of GDR into the afternoon and
People`s Police and State night. The original demands
Security had been of the protestors, such as
overpowered. Only the the reinstatement of the
sudden appearance of previous lower work quotas,
Soviet military vehicles, and turned into political
then tanks, seemed to demands. Eventually the
prevent a complete workers demanded the
takeover. Within an hour, resignation of the East
Soviet troops had cleared German government. The
and isolated the area government decided to use
around the government force to stop the uprising
headquarters. and turned to the Soviet
Union for military support.
11. Wednesday 17 June 1953
• In Berlin, where Soviet
troops and Volkspolizei
opened fire, several
people were killed by
the Volkspolizei. It is still
unclear how many
people died during the
uprising. The number of
known victims is 55 –
other estimates put the
number of victims at
least 125.
13. Effects of the 1953
Rebellion
• The fundamental lesson • For the Ulbricht
government the result
learned by the new was what they called the
Soviet leader Nikita „Third purge“ (politische
Chrustschow was that Säuberung). Over 12000
were dismissed from the
the Soviet revolution People`s Police
imposed on the (Volkspolizei ) for
unreliability. The Stasi was
German people had to be made much
not been accepted stronger to prevent such
and the severe a rebellion from
happening again. Erich
reparations were Mielke got the new chief
causing too much of a of the Stasi.
strain.
