Stasi (Ministry for State Security of East Germany)

The Stasi, officially known as the Ministry for State Security, was East Germany’s secret police agency from 1950 to 1990. Its main role was to monitor and suppress political dissent, maintain government control, and gather intelligence on citizens and foreign entities. The Stasi employed a vast network of agents, informants, and surveillance methods, often invading personal privacy to prevent opposition. Its activities fostered widespread fear and mistrust, making it one of the most effective and oppressive secret police organizations in Cold War history. The Stasi’s legacy remains a symbol of government secrecy and repression in East Germany.