area handbook series Germany East a country study i i Germany East a country study Federal Research Division Library of Congress Edited by Stephen R. Burant Research Completed July 1987 On the cover: Looking across the Karl Marx Bridge to Marx-Engels Square in East Berlin Third Edition, First Printing, 1988. Copyright ®1988 United States Government as represented by the Secretary of the Army. All rights reserved. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data East Germany a country study. : (DA pam 550-155) ; "Research completed July 1987." Bibliography: p. 381. Includes index. D Supt. of Docs, no.: 101.22:155/987 1. Germany (East) I. Burant, Stephen R., 1954- II. Library of Congress. Federal Research Division. III. Series. DD280.6.E22 1988 943.1087 87-600490 Headquarters, Department of the Army DA Pam 550-155 Korsaleby [heSuperintendent ofDocuments, U.S. Government PrintingOffice Washington, DC. 20402 Foreword This volume is one in a continuing series of books now being prepared by the Federal Research Division ofthe Library ofCon- — gress under the Country Studies Area Handbook Program. The last page of this book lists the other published studies. Most books in the series deal with a particular foreign country, describing and analyzing its political, economic, social, and national security systems and institutions, and examining the interrelation- ships of those systems and the ways they are shaped by cultural factors. Each study is written by a multidisciplinary team ofsocial scientists. The authors seek to provide a basic understanding of the observed society, striving for a dynamic rather than a static portrayal. Particular attention is devoted to the people who make up the society, theirorigins, dominant beliefs and values, theircom- mon interests and the issues on which they are divided, the nature and extent oftheir involvement with national institutions, and their attitudes toward each other and toward their social system and political order. The books represent the analysis ofthe authors and should not be construed as an expression ofan official United States govern- ment position, policy, or decision. The authors have sought to adhere to accepted standards ofscholarly objectivity. Corrections, additions, and suggestions for changes from readers will be wel- comed for use in future editions. Carol Migdalovitz Acting Chief Federal Research Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C. 20540 111 Acknowledgments The authors wish to acknowledge their use and adaptation of substantial portions ofthe 1982 edition ofEast Germany: A Country Study, which was edited by Eugene K. Keefe. The authors of the 1982 edition whose work was used in this edition were as follows: Rosalyn L. Unger, "Historical Setting"; Sallie M. Hicks, "The Society and Its Environment"; Arthur A. Stahnke, "The Econ- omy";John M. Starrels, "Government and Politics"; William P. Baxter, "National Security"; and Carl H. McMillan, "The Coun- cil for Mutual Economic Assistance." The authors are also grate- ful to E. Wayne Merry ofthe Department ofState, who provided information and insights on East German affairs. Robert E. McKeown and Scott McKnight furnished their expertise on the National People's Army. None ofthe individuals is responsible for the contents of this edition, however. In addition, the authors express their appreciation to members ofthe Federal Research Division staffwho made significant con- tributions to the preparation of this study. The authors owe spe- cial thanks to Richard Nyrop, who supplied invaluable help and suggestions at all stages ofthe production process. Thanks go also to Marilyn L. Majeska, who edited the manuscript and oversaw its production, and to editorial assistants Barbara Edgerton and Izella Watson, who helped prepare the manuscript. Invaluable graphics support was provided by David P. Cabitto and his assis- tants, Sandra K. Cotugno and Kimberly A. Lord. Thanks are owed to Susan M. Lender, who reviewed the map drafts, and Harriett R. Blood, who prepared the final maps. Stanley M. Sciora fur- nished detailed information on the ranks and insignia ofthe East German armed forces, in addition to the forces ofthe other mem- bers of the Warsaw Pact. The index was prepared by Editorial Experts, and Andrea T. Merrill performed the final prepublica- tion review. DiannJ. Johnson, ofthe Library ofCongress Com- posingUnit, prepared the camera-ready copyunderthe supervision of Peggy Pixley. Finally, the authors wish to note the generosity of individuals and private agencies who provided photographs foruse in this book. The authors are especially grateful for original work not previously published. v