The birth of the GDR (7 October 1949)
'Is an East German state the answer?' from the Süddeutsche Zeitung (4 October 1949)
TexteThree 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.
Constitution of the German Democratic Republic (7 October 1949)
TexteOn 7 October 1949, the Constitution of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) is adopted in Berlin.
The creation of the FRG and the GDR (1949)
CarteMap 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.
Otto Grotewohl
ImageFrom 1949 to 1964, Otto Grotewohl was Head of Government of the German Democratic Republic (GDR).
Government declaration by Otto Grotewohl (Berlin, 12 October 1949)
TexteOn 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.
'Words in black, red and gold' from Der Spiegel (13 October 1949)
TexteIn 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).
Cartoon by Meinhard on the political evolution of the FRG and the GDR (19 October 1949)
Image‘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.
Fifth anniversary of the birth of the GDR (1954)
ImageOn 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.