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East Germany
Introduction References & Edit History
Videos
Willy Brandt's visit to East Germany: A step toward unity
Introduction of the deutsche mark in East Germany
Know about the Stasi's attempts to crack down the growing dissidents in East Germany
Mass exodus from East Germany in 1989
Hungary's historic removal of the iron border
How Families Escaped the East German Regime in the 1970s
Inside the pervasive surveillance by East Germany's Stasi
Transfer of power from Walter Ulbricht to Erich Honecker in East Germany
The fall of the Berlin Wall
The unexpected fall of the Berlin Wall explained
Quick Facts
Officially:
German Democratic Republic
German:
Ostdeutschland or Deutsche Demokratische Republik
Date:
1949 - 1990
Related Topics:
Comecon
International Investment Bank
Related Places:
East Berlin
Anhalt
Germany
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East Germany

historical nation, Germany
Also known as: DDR, Deutsche Demokratische Republik, German Democratic Republic, Ostdeutschland(Show More)
Written and fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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Last updated
•History

News •

Today in History: Berlin Wall falls after 28 years • Nov. 9, 2026, 4:30 AM ET (Chicago Tribune)

East Germany, former country (1949–90) that constitutes the northeastern section of present-day Germany.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by J.E. Luebering.
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