German Democratic Republic
The Rise and Fall of a Cold War State

By (author) Ned Richardson-Little,Dr Ned Richardson-Little

ISBN13: 9781350341517

Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Published: 21/08/2025

Availability: Not yet available

Description
The German Democratic Republic has come to stand as a symbol of communist tyranny, a source of Cold War nostalgia and socialist kitsch, and a failed alternative to the worst excesses of 21st century capitalism. In this book, Ned Richardson-Little delves into the central contradictions of the GDR state: This book illustrates the fault lines of GDR society, the worldviews and experiences of not only those who ruled the GDR, but also those who rebelled against the strictures of state socialism, and those in between who sought a normal life under dictatorship. The German Democratic Republic is a succinct and comprehensive history of East Germany that traces its story from the country’s origins as the Soviet Zone of Occupation after World War II through key events such as the 1953 Uprising, the building of the Berlin Wall, the Helsinki Accords, and the collapse of state socialism in 1989. Some of the themes explored include the memory of Nazism and national identity, everyday life under dictatorship, including consumerism, sexuality, and racism, the global politics of the GDR, the diversity of dissenting voices, and the competing visions for East Germany’s democratic future.
List of Figures Timeline Introduction 1. From Nazism to State Socialism, 1945-1952 2. State Socialism and its Discontents, 1953-1973 3. The Struggle for International Legitimacy, 1949-1975 4. Collapse and Reunification, 1975-1990 Conclusion Glossary Bibliography Index
  • General & world history
  • European history
  • The Cold War
  • General (US: Trade)
  • Tertiary Education (US: College)
Height:198
Width:128
Spine:20
Weight:320.00
List Price: £16.99