Socialist Unity Party of Germany

The Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED) was the ruling communist party of East Germany from 1949 to 1990. It was formed through the merger of the Communist and Socialist parties under Soviet influence, aiming to create a socialist state aligned with Soviet principles. The party held centralized control over government, economy, and society, enforcing political conformity and suppressing dissent. Its leadership maintained strict authority, promoting a state-managed economy and socialist ideology, until political reforms and reunification with West Germany led to its dissolution in 1990.