Walter Ulbricht is one of the most important political figures of the twentieth century. He made a huge contribution to the formation of the German Democratic Republic and its place on the geopolitical map of post-war Europe.
Over the many years of leadership, he was able to carry out a series of social and economic reforms that radically changed the socio-political life in East Germany. Evaluations of his activities are extremely polar: some consider Ulbricht a national hero, and some consider him a traitor.
Walter Ulbricht: biography
Born on June 30, 1893 in Leipzig. His father was a joiner. The workshop was located in the house of Ulbricht. Therefore, from childhood, Walter worked in it, helping his father. He graduated from the Leipzig elementary school, after which he mastered the carpentry and worked in his workshop since 1907. Becomes interested in politics. In Leipzig at this time there are many different socialist circles. He reads the works of Engels, Bebel, Marx and other German left-wing philosophers. At the age of nineteen he joined the Social Democratic Party. Actively involved in local committees. When the First World War began, the socialists were not called to the front, considering them dangerous elements. However, after a year of bloody battles, this decision is being reviewed. Kaiser understands that there is much more harm in the rear from the revolutionaries. Therefore, mobilization is both a punishment and an attempt to make up for losses.
Great War
Walter Ulbricht drafted into the army in 1915. At the front he is engaged in the propaganda of socialist ideas. According to some reports, he took part in fraternization with Russian soldiers. "Brotherhood" took place in all theaters of operations. During them, soldiers of the opposing armies left the trenches towards each other. In the eighteenth year, Walter Ulbricht joins the so-called "Union of Spartacus." This is a radical Marxist organization, which held the position of rejection of capitalism, militarism and imperialism.
The beginning of revolutionary activity
In the eighteenth year, Ulbricht was demobilized. At this time, a revolution erupted in the German Empire. Walter immediately begins to take an active part in it. In just a week, the rebellious people manage to overthrow the monarchist system and proclaim a republic. Ulbricht is a member of the local Council of Soldiers' Deputies. He then gains the right to represent Leipzig workers and soldiers. In this post, he creates the department of the Communist Party of Germany.
Over the year, he manages to become the leader of the county committee. He is editor in the popular newspaper Class War. Walter Ulbricht is elected to the Party Central Committee for his successful work in Leipzig. In the twenty-second year, a new congress of the International, the international communist association, begins to work.
Walter is part of the German embassy and takes part in the International Congress in Moscow. Personally met with Lenin. In the twenty-sixth year he was a member of the Reichstag’s deputy, while continuing to work actively in the International. Included in its executive committee.
Flight and Underground
After the seizure of power by the National Socialists, the persecution of the Communists begins. The SS monitors all prominent figures in the communist and socialist parties, including Walter Ulbricht. German politician goes underground. In the thirty-third year of the persecution of people unwanted by the regime, it is gaining new momentum. Walter flees to the Soviet Union. In the thirty-fifth year he was admitted to the Political Bureau of the party. And after three years, he is reinstating his position in the International. With the outbreak of the civil war in Spain, he goes there as a political adviser. After the victory of the regime, Franco leaves for France. But in the new country it does not linger for a long time. After the occupation of the French territories by the Nazis, Ulbricht returned to Moscow. After the start of World War II, he was engaged in campaigning among German soldiers and officers. During the battle of Stalingrad, personally through loudspeakers he called on German soldiers to surrender. In the forty-third year he creates an anti-Hitler military committee.
After the second world war
Immediately after the victory in the Great Patriotic War, the USSR begins to establish a peaceful life in the occupied territories. To create a new government, politician Walter Ulbricht arrived in Berlin in early May with nine members of the communist underground. Helps rebuild civic institutions in Berlin, and then throughout Germany. After the fall of the Nazi regime in East Germany, several parties legally operate. Ulbricht leads one of them - SPEG. Many active students and intellectuals are joining the new party.
Walter Ulbricht, German politician: biography, photo as head of the GDR
In the fiftieth year, Walter becomes the head of the German Democratic Republic.
However, he retains his old position as deputy prime minister. Thus, Ulbricht concentrates in his hands full power. In his views, he was a confident Stalinist. The country began the construction of socialism. Land reform made it possible to take away the large farm owners and transfer them to the national economy. The nationalization of enterprises has begun.
Acute political crisis
Forced industrialization in the conditions of the post-war devastation led to the economic crisis and the discontent of the population. The object of popular hatred was Walter Ulbricht. The German politician, whose biography totaled many difficult periods, afterwards will say that the July fifty-third days were the most difficult for him in life. The mass strike turned into an open riot. Walter had to turn to the Soviet Union for help.
Soviet troops were withdrawn to the streets of many cities, and the Secretary General himself was hiding in the territory of the occupation administration. During the suppression of the riot, Ulbricht was able to finally destroy the opposition within the party.
Course change
The policy pursued by the Ulbricht government was aimed primarily at restoring infrastructure and production facilities. The building of socialism was carried out forcedly. The politician began to criticize not only in the GDR itself, but also in the Kremlin. Lavrenty Beria repeatedly questioned Walter's decisions and methods. He believed that many ways of nationalizing and isolating the school only push people away from the government.
As a result, Ulbricht was summoned to Moscow and informed about the revision of state policy. After that, he was "looked after" by the commander of the Soviet grouping of troops in the GDR Semenov. In the summer of the sixty-first, one of the most significant events in post-war Europe.
The Soviet Union officially handed over the rule of the country to Ulbricht. At the same time, the US military was still in
West Berlin. A serious crisis has begun. In the center of the German capital a few meters from each other were tanks of the USSR and the USA. The flow of fugitives to West Germany increased. In this case, there was only one unclosed border crossing point. To isolate themselves from Germany, the socialist government has a plan to erect a wall in the center of Berlin. This decision was made personally by Walter Ulbricht. A photo of the wall, which they began hastily erecting on August 13, spread around all the world media.
Wall of Ulbricht
After the construction of the wall, a new era began for the political life of the GDR.
In a short time a new economic course was formed. Many previously nationalized enterprises were united under the same governing bodies. After the reforms, the political situation in East Germany stabilized. However, Moscow's confidence in Walter was undermined. People often joked about him. Many jokes and nicknames ridiculed his Leipzig accent and Walter's use of parasitic words.
By a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of June 29, 1963 for personal contribution to the fight against fascism during the Second World War and in connection with the 70th birthday, Ulbricht Walter was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union with the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal .
In the seventy-first year, Brezhnev personally demanded the resignation of Ulbricht. After several personal conversations with the Secretary General, the latter asked for his resignation.
The first of August 1973, Walter Ulbricht died. The GDR owes much of its existence to this policy. He determined the development of the country and the political course for decades to come.