Life under Communism.
In the 1960s, East Germany was under the control of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED) and was heavily influenced by the Soviet Union. The country was characterized by strict surveillance, censorship, and a command economy. The Berlin Wall, constructed in 1961, divided East and West Berlin, symbolizing the division between communist East Germany and capitalist West Germany.
During this time, East Germany was experiencing economic challenges, with shortages of consumer goods and limited personal freedoms. The government maintained control through the Stasi, the secret police, who monitored citizens for any signs of dissent or opposition to the regime.
In terms of international relations, East Germany was aligned with the Soviet Union and other Eastern Bloc countries, participating in organizations such as the Warsaw Pact. Relations with the West were tense, particularly after the construction of the Berlin Wall and the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.