GDR (German Democratic Republic)

The German Democratic Republic (GDR), commonly known as East Germany, was a socialist state that existed from 1949 to 1990 in the eastern part of Germany. It was established after World War II, when Germany was divided into East and West, influenced by the Soviet Union. East Germany was governed by the Socialist Unity Party and had a planned economy. It maintained strict control over its citizens through surveillance and propaganda. The GDR was part of the Eastern Bloc during the Cold War, contrasting with West Germany’s democratic and capitalist system. It reunified with West Germany in 1990, ending its separate existence.