EAST GERMANY
The opening lines of the East German National Anthem hint at the hopes and dreams the first socialist state on German soil wished to achieve. Having risen out of the ashes of World War Two, The German Democratic Republic had to become the model nation, which meant they would have to be the shining example of socialism in the eyes of Moscow. The First General Secretary Walter Ulbricht ruled in the image and manner of Joseph Stalin with public show trials and a secret police whose notoriety for destroying dissidents and so-called enemies of the state would only increase as the regime declined into economic ruin in the late 1980s.
In 1961, the GDR built the Berlin Wall with permission from Moscow, which separated physically the GDR from the western Federal Republic of Germany. Many people attempting to emigrate by trying to cross the border installations were killed by border guards and mines. The Wall would become a symbol of repression, even though the East German government tried to celebrate its construction as an anti-fascist protection rampart.
The East German collection highlights some of the aspects that marked the darkest aspects of the regime. The collection also focuses on the everyday life of ordinary citizens, party members, and the state apparatus in order to portray life in the former East Germany.
![]() Mounted Berlin Wall Chunk1989 Concrete, granite East Germany | ![]() CurrencyN.D. Paper, aluminum, brass East Germany | ![]() VinylsN.D. Plastic, cardboard, polyvinyl chloride East Germany |
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![]() Stasi Meissen Award PlateN.D. Porcelain, synthetic silk, pleather, cardboard East Germany | ![]() Vaterlaendischer Verdienstordenc. 1954-72 Silver, cotton, enamel East Germany | ![]() Robotron 1715 ComputerN.D. Metal, glass, plastic East Germany |
![]() SED Honor BannerN.D. Cotton East Germany | ![]() Barracks Police Uniform1981 Gabardine, polyester, leather, aluminum East Germany | ![]() People's Police 25th Anniversary Propaganda Poster1970 Paper East Germany |
![]() "Ostalgie Fashion" - Modified Civil Defense UniformN.D. Gabardine East Germany | ![]() SchalmeiN.D. Metal VEB Signal, East Germany | ![]() NVA Classified Map of Border Region Moorbad-Lobenstein1981 Paper East Germany |
![]() "Neues Deutschland" Newspaper1961 Paper East Germany | ![]() NVA Wende Officer's Visor Cap1990 Gabardine, plastic, aluminum East Germany | ![]() NVA General Major UniformN.D. Gabardine, polyester, aluminum, plastic, paper, brass, enamel East Germany |