Soviet Military Presence and Political Control in the GDR (1945–1989)

1. Allies assume supreme authority over Germany

   Jun 5, 1945Labels: Allied Powers

   • Britannica
   • Berlin Declaration

2. SMAD begins ruling the Soviet occupation zone

   Jun 9, 1945Labels: SMAD, Soviet military

   • SMAD
   • Soviet Forces

3. Potsdam Protocol confirms occupation framework

   Aug 1, 1945Labels: Potsdam Conference

   • Britannica
   • Potsdam Agreement

4. KPD and SPD merge into the SED

   Apr 21, 1946Labels: KPD, SPD, SED

   • KPD SPD Merger
   • SED

5. German Economic Commission centralizes Soviet-zone administration

   Jun 1, 1947Labels: German Economic

   • DWK
   • SMAD

6. Berlin Blockade begins; Soviets cut land access

   Jun 24, 1948Labels: Soviet blockade

   • Britannica
   • NATO

7. Berlin Blockade ends after Allied airlift

   May 12, 1949Labels: Berlin Airlift

   • Britannica
   • NATO

8. GDR proclaimed under SED leadership

   Oct 7, 1949Labels: GDR, SED

   • Bundestag Archive
   • Britannica

9. Soviet Control Commission replaces direct military administration

   Oct 10, 1949Labels: Soviet Control

   • SKK
   • SMAD

10. Stasi established with Soviet-linked security oversight

    Feb 8, 1950Labels: Stasi, Ministry for

    • Bundesarchiv Stasi
    • Stasi

11. GDR abolishes Länder and replaces them with Bezirke

    Jul 23, 1952Labels: Bezirke, GDR administration

    • GHDI Map
    • Admin Divisions

12. Soviet troops suppress the June 1953 uprising

    Jun 17, 1953Labels: June 1953, Soviet troops

    • 1953 Uprising
    • DW

13. GDR joins the Warsaw Pact security alliance

    May 14, 1955Labels: Warsaw Pact, GDR

    • Britannica
    • NATO

14. USSR–GDR treaty formalizes Soviet troop presence

    Sep 20, 1955Labels: USSR GDR

    • US State Hist
    • USSR GDR Treaty

15. Berlin Wall construction begins as border is sealed

    Aug 13, 1961Labels: Berlin Wall, GDR

    • Berlin Wall
    • Mauer Site

16. Four Power Agreement improves access to West Berlin

    Sep 3, 1971Labels: Four Power

    • Four Power Agmt
    • Deutschlandmuseum

17. Gorbachev attends GDR’s 40th anniversary amid unrest

    Oct 7, 1989Labels: Mikhail Gorbachev, GDR

    • Deutschlandmuseum
    • Republic Day 1989

18. Berlin Wall opens, ending coercive border control

    Nov 9, 1989Labels: Berlin Wall, border opening

    • Britannica
    • Berlin de