© University of Reading 2006 www.reading.ac.uk

17th June 1953 A Workers’ Uprising Richard M McKenzie MA – Reading University

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17th June Uprising

• Only mass civil

disobedience in

GDR before 1989

• Began over the

construction of

“palaces for workers”

in Stalinallee 1952

2

What happened?

• 1952 Building of socialism increases norms no pay rises

• 16th June builders of Stalinallee down tools

• March to House of Ministries demanding to speak to Ulbricht of Grotewohl

• Strikes escalate and SED loses control asking Soviets to intervene

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Clips

• Uprising from West German point of view

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMLXKIh7XqA

• Uprising from East German point of view

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJy45Dgq7pc

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Causes

• Deepening of cold war division

• Introduction of strict border controls

• Growth of refugees: – June 1952: 16,883

– Sept 1952: 23,331

– March 1953: 58,605

• Collectivisation

• Food shortages – 176,000 Tonne Meat

– 200,000 Tonne Veg

– 14,000 Tonne Butter

• Increase of work norms

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Labour Relations

• Unions AGREED 10% increase in work norm

• No space for disagreement

– Enemies

– Spies

– Saboteurs

– Agent Provocateurs

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Death of Stalin

• Died 5th March 1953

• Creates power

vacuum in Soviet

Bloc

• Allows DDR to

establish new course

11th June 1953

– Takes back price

increase

– Keeps norms

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Strike

• Berlin and throughout DDR

• No leadership

• State of emergency

• Soviets commit – 600 tanks

– 20,000 soldiers

• DDR commit – 15,000 policemen

• 50-125 people killed

• 400,000 – 1.5million take part

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Results

The Solution

After the uprising of the 17th of June The Secretary of the Writers’ Union Had leaflets distributed in the Stalinallee Stating that the people Had forfeited the confidence of the government And could win it back only By redoubled efforts. Would it not be easier In that case for the government To dissolve the people And elect another?

Die Lösung

Nach dem Aufstand des 17. Juni Ließ der Sekretär des Schriftstellerverbands

In der Stalinallee Flugblätter verteilen

Auf denen zu lesen war, daß das Volk

Das Vertrauen der Regierung verscherzt habe

Und es nur durch verdoppelte Arbeit

zurückerobern könne. Wäre es da

Nicht doch einfacher, die Regierung

Löste das Volk auf und

Wählte ein anderes?

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Bertold Brecht

www.germanwarfilm.co.uk

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