On 21 and 22 April 1946 in the Soviet occupied zone, the German Social Democrat Party (SPD) and the German Communist Party (KPD) merge to form the Socialist Unity Party (SED).

On 21 April 1946, Wilhelm Pieck, leader of the German Communist Party (KPD), and Otto Grotewohl, leader of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in the Soviet-occupied zone, take part in a ceremony held in the Berlin State Opera House to mark the establishment of the Socialist Unity Party (SED). Walter Ulbricht, Secretary-General of the newly formed party, unveils its official banner.

On 21 April 1946, Wilhelm Pieck, Leader of the Communist Party of Germany (KPD), and Otto Grotewohl, Leader of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), establish the Socialist Unity Party (SED) in the Soviet-occupied zone of Germany.

On 21 April 1946, Wilhelm Pieck, leader of the German Communist Party (KPD), and Otto Grotewohl, leader of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in the Soviet occupation zone, found the Socialist Unity Party (SED) at a ceremony in the Berlin Opera House.

On 22 April 1946, the first Congress of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED) is held in Berlin under the chairmanship of Walter Ulbricht. The party was founded the previous day by Wilhelm Pieck, leader of the Communist Party of Germany (KPD), and Otto Grotewohl, leader of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in the Soviet occupation zone.

On 23 April 1946, the French daily newspaper Le Monde analyses the implications of the creation of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED) following the merger of the German Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Communist Party of Germany (KPD).

On 30 May 1946, Otto Grotewohl, Chairman of the Socialist Unity Party (SED), delivers a speech on Radio Moscow in which he sets out the SED's duties.

Three days before the creation of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), the leader writer of the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung reflects on the position of the Soviet Union and comments on a protest note from the East European States issued on 2 October 1949.

On 7 October 1949, the Constitution of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) is adopted in Berlin.

Map illustrating the birth of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) on the occasion of the constituent meeting of the People’s Chamber on 7 October 1949.

From 1949 to 1964, Otto Grotewohl was Head of Government of the German Democratic Republic (GDR).

On 12 October 1949, Otto Grotewohl, Head of Government of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), delivers a speech to his government in which he deplores the behaviour of the West and thanks the USSR for its active support in the creation of the GDR.

In an edition published on 13 October 1949, the West German weekly news magazine Der Spiegel describes Otto Grotewohl, Prime Minister of the German Democratic Republic (GDR).

‘This'll make it thrive!' In 1949, this cartoon from Fritz Meinhard portrays the political future of the FRG and GDR as a German heraldic eagle, with, on the left, the new West Germany, prosperous and strong, supported by the United States and its allies, and, on the right, a weakened, militarised communist East Germany under the direct control of Moscow.

On 8 October 1954, the fifth anniversary of the birth of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), the Soviet Union Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov is received by Otto Grotewohl and Walter Ulbricht in East Berlin.

On 10 October 1949, the Soviet Military Administration in Germany legitimises the establishment of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) and denounces the establishment of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG).

During 'Soviet-German friendship month' in December 1951, authorities in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) issue a stamp depicting Joseph Stalin and Wilhelm Pieck.

On 10 October 1949, the Allied High Commission publicly refuses to recognise the German Democratic Republic (GDR) or its Government.

‘The document says: Now you be big St Bernard!’ In 1955, German cartoonist Klaus Pielert paints an ironic picture of the declaration of sovereignty by the German Democratic Republic (GDR) (on the left, Walter Ulbricht depicted as a dachshund at the beck and call of his Soviet master).

‘Family portrait.' In 1974, during celebrations to mark 25 years of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), the cartoonist Fritz Behrendt condemns Communism's hold on the people of East Germany.

On 6 October 1949, commenting on the foundation of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), the French daily newspaper Le Monde explains the structure of the new State's government and considers Germany's political future.

On 8 October 1949, the Dutch daily newspaper Het Parool analyses the consequences of the establishment of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) and looks at the role of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED).

On 12 October 1949, the German newspaper Die Welt considers the proclamation, in East Berlin, of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) and analyses the ambiguous relations between the Soviet occupation forces and the civil authorities in the new GDR.