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East Germany

Definition

East Germany, officially known as the German Democratic Republic (GDR), was a socialist state in Central Europe during the Cold War. It emerged as a separate entity from West Germany after World War II and was under Soviet influence until its reunification with West Germany in 1990.

Analogy

Imagine two neighbors who had different ideas about how their yard should be maintained. One neighbor wanted to have perfectly trimmed hedges while the other preferred wildflowers and natural growth. They ended up separating their yards with a fence, each having their own distinct style.

Related terms

Berlin Wall: The Berlin Wall was a physical barrier constructed by East Germany to divide East Berlin from West Berlin during the Cold War. It symbolized the division between capitalist and communist ideologies.

Stasi: The Stasi refers to the Ministry for State Security in East Germany, which operated as an extensive secret police force with broad surveillance powers over citizens suspected of being disloyal to the government.

Ostpolitik: Ostpolitik refers to West Germany's policy towards Eastern Europe during the Cold War, aimed at improving diplomatic relations with countries such as East Germany and Poland in order to reduce tension and promote cooperation.