Stasi archives

The Stasi archives refer to the extensive records kept by the East German secret police, known as the Stasi (officially the Ministerium für Staatssicherheit). From its establishment in 1950 until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the Stasi monitored the population, gathering information on nearly every aspect of life in East Germany. These archives contain millions of files, including surveillance reports and personal data, documenting state repression and the lives of individuals. After reunification, access to these archives was established, allowing citizens to uncover personal histories and understand the extent of governmental control during the GDR era.