East Germany (Stasi)

East Germany, officially known as the German Democratic Republic (GDR), existed from 1949 to 1990 as a socialist state. The Stasi, or Ministry for State Security, was its secret police, tasked with surveillance and intelligence gathering to suppress dissent and maintain control. It employed extensive spying, tapping phones, and infiltrating various aspects of society to monitor and intimidate citizens. The Stasi significantly impacted daily life, fostering an atmosphere of distrust and fear. Following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, East Germany reunified with West Germany, leading to the Stasi becoming a symbol of totalitarian oppression.