Format:
zahlr. Lit.Hinw.
ISSN:
0042-5702
Content:
When the GDR sealed off its border to West Germany end of May 1952, regular border traffic not only came to a halt, but regulations concerning crossover work were affected as well. Surprisingly GDR authorities, in what was called the "Lehestener Vereinbarung", allowed approximately 200 Bavarian skilled labourers to resume their traditional occupation of slate mining in the southern region of Thuringia. They mined at the VEB Schiefergrube Lehesten until September 1961 before shutting down, resulting from the construction of the Berlin Wall and ending the last of labour relations between the GDR and West Germany. The text studies the political reasoning leading to this unique action which preoccupied state and party officials at the highest levels, and places this in context with the daily decision making process concerning Deutschlandpolitik. The classic conflict between party ideologists and economic pragmatists so characteristic of the GDR's socialist system of rule is reflected here. At the same time implementation of goals set by both groups was hampered by the GDR's fluctuating economic situation. (Vierteljahrshefte für Zeitgeschichte / FUB)
In:
Vierteljahrshefte für Zeitgeschichte, [Berlin] : De Gruyter Oldenbourg, 1953, 49(2001), 4, Seite 613-642, 0042-5702
In:
volume:49
In:
year:2001
In:
number:4
In:
pages:613-642
Language:
German
Keywords:
Deutschland
;
Westdeutsche
;
Geschichte 1949-1961
Author information:
Fäßler, Peter E. 1964-
