Constructing socialism at the grassroots : the transformation of East Germany, 1945-1965
The thesis examines how the socialist transformation of East Germany during the two decades following the defeat of the Third Reich was received, implemented, refashioned and adapted at the grass-roots. Concentrating on the region of East Berlin and Brandenburg, it focuses on a selected number of points where the personal lives and interests of 'ordinary' people intersected most closely and were confronted most immediately by the ruling Socialist Unity Party's (SED) attempt to refashion society in the Soviet Occupation Zone/German Democratic Republic: 1.) increasing industrial productivity in raw materials and heavy industry, which meant mobilizing and disciplining workers to produce more; 2.) dispossessing old agrarian elites and later coaxing and coercing farmers into large collective farms; and 3.) protecting these 'achievements' through the creation of armed forces, which meant recruiting East German youths into the army. The popular reaction towards these three ambitious policies, the manner and extent of their realization at the grass-roots level and the role of local officials form the subject of three chapters of the thesis. The fourth substantive chapter examines the problem of Republikflucht ('fleeing
Ross, Corey David
History
Constructing socialism at the grassroots : the transformation of East Germany, 1945-1965. The thesis examines how the socialist transformation of East Germany during the two decades following the defeat of the Third Reich was received, implemented, refashioned and adapted at the grass-roots. Concentrating on the region of East Berlin and Brandenburg, it focuses on a selected number of points where the personal lives and interests of 'ordinary' people intersected most closely and were confronted most immediately by the ruling Socialist Unity Party's (SED) attempt to refashion society in the Soviet Occupation Zone/German Democratic Republic: 1.) increasing industrial productivity in raw materials and heavy industry, which meant mobilizing and disciplining workers to produce more; 2.) dispossessing old agrarian elites and later coaxing and coercing farmers into large collective farms; and 3.) protecting these 'achievements' through the creation of armed forces, which meant recruiting East German youths into the army. The popular reaction towards these three ambitious policies, the manner and extent of their realization at the grass-roots level and the role of local officials form the subject of three chapters of the thesis. The fourth substantive chapter examines the problem of Republikflucht ('fleeing
constructing socialism grassroots transformation east germany examines socialist transformation east germany follow defeat third_reich receive implement adapt grass roots concentrating region east berlin focus select number point personal life interest ordinary_people intersect closely confront immediately rule socialist unity party sed attempt society soviet occupation zone german democratic republic increase industrial productivity raw_material heavy industry meant mobilize discipline worker produce old agrarian elites later coerce farmer large collective farm protect creation arm_force mean recruit east german army popular reaction towards ambitious policy manner extent realization grass roots level role local_official form subject thesis fourth substantive examines problem