W alter 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 long years of leadership, he was able to carry out a number of social and economic reforms that radically changed the socio-political life in East Germany. Estimates of his activities are extremely polar: some consider Ulbricht a national hero, and some a traitor.
W alter Ulbricht: biography
Born June 30, 1893 in Leipzig. His father was a carpenter. The workshop was located in the Ulbricht house. Therefore, from childhood, W alter worked in it, helping his father. He graduated from the Leipzig elementary school, after which he mastered carpentry and worked in his workshop since 1907. Begins to take an interest in politics. In Leipzig at this time there are many different socialist circles. Reads the works of Engels, Bebel, Marx and other German philosophers of the left. At the age of nineteen he joined the Social Democratic Party. Actively participates in the activities of local committees. When the First World War began, socialists were not called to the front, considering themdangerous elements. However, after a year of bloody battles, this decision is being reconsidered. The 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.
The Great War
W alter Ulbricht is 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. Fraternization took place in all theaters of war. During them, the soldiers of the opposing armies came out of the trenches towards each other. In the eighteenth year, W alter Ulbricht enters the so-called "Union of Spartacus." This is a radical Marxist organization that stood on the positions of rejection of capitalism, militarism and imperialism.
Beginning of revolutionary activity
In the eighteenth year, Ulbricht was demobilized. At this time, a revolution breaks out in the German Empire. W alter immediately begins to take an active part in it. In just a week, the rebellious people succeed in overthrowing the monarchical system and proclaiming a republic. Ulbricht is a member of the local council of soldiers' deputies. Then he receives the right to represent the Leipzig workers and soldiers. In this post, he creates a department of the Communist Party of Germany.
In a year, he manages to become the leader of the county committee. He is the editor of the popular newspaper "Class War". For successful activities in Leipzig, W alter Ulbricht is elected to the Central Committeeparties. In the twenty-second year, a new congress of the International, the international communist association, begins to work.
W alter is a member of the German embassy and takes part in the congress of the International in Moscow. I personally met with Lenin. In the twenty-sixth year, he became a member of the Reichstag, while continuing to work actively in the International. Member of its executive committee.
Flight and underground
After the seizure of power by the National Socialists, the persecution of the Communists begins. The SS conducts surveillance of all prominent figures of the communist and socialist parties, among which is W alter Ulbricht. The German politician goes underground. In the thirty-third year, the persecution of people objectionable to the regime is gaining new momentum. W alter flees to the Soviet Union. In the thirty-fifth year, he was accepted into the Political Bureau of the party. And three years later he restores his position in the International. With the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, he goes there as a political adviser. After the victory of the regime, Franco leaves for France. But even in a new country, he does not stay long. After the occupation of the French territories by the Nazis, Ulbricht returns to Moscow. After the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, he was engaged in agitation among German soldiers and officers. During the battle of Stalingrad, he personally called on German soldiers to surrender through loudspeakers. In the forty-third year, he creates an anti-Hitler military committee.
Post World War II
Immediately after the victory in the Great Patriotic War, the USSR begins topeaceful life in the occupied territories. To create a new government in early May, politician W alter Ulbricht arrives in Berlin with nine figures of the communist underground. Helps rebuild civic institutions in Berlin and later throughout Germany. Since the fall of the Nazi regime, several parties have been operating legally in East Germany. Ulbricht heads one of them - SPEG. Many active students and intellectuals are joining the new party.
W alter Ulbricht, German politician: biography, photo as head of the GDR
In the fiftieth year, W alter becomes head of the German Democratic Republic.
At the same time, he retains his old position of Deputy Prime Minister. Thus, Ulbricht concentrates full power in his hands. In his views, he was a confident Stalinist. The building of socialism began in the country. The land reform made it possible to take away farms from large owners and transfer them to the management of the national economy. The nationalization of enterprises has begun.
Acute political crisis
Forced industrialization in the conditions of post-war devastation led to an economic crisis and discontent among the population. The object of popular hatred was W alter Ulbricht. The German politician, whose biography included many difficult periods, will later say that the July days of the fifty-third were the most difficult for him in life. The mass strike turned into an open riot. W alter 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 on the territory of the occupation administration. During the suppression of the rebellion, Ulbricht was able to finally destroy the opposition within the party.
Change of course
The policy pursued by the Ulbricht government was aimed primarily at restoring infrastructure and production capacity. The building of socialism was accelerated. The politician received criticism not only in the GDR itself, but also in the Kremlin. Lavrenty Beria repeatedly questioned W alter's decisions and methods. He believed that many ways of nationalizing and isolating the school only repel the people from the government.
As a result, Ulbricht is 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, Semyonov. In the summer of 1961, one of the most significant events in post-war Europe took place.
The Soviet Union officially transferred the rule of the country into the hands of 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, there were tanks of the USSR and the USA. The flow of fugitives to West Germany increased. At the same time, there was only one open border crossing point. In order to isolate itself from the FRG, the socialist government has a plan to buildwalls in the center of Berlin. This decision was made personally by W alter Ulbricht. The photo of the wall, which was hastily erected on August 13th, was all over the world's media.
Ulbricht's Wall
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 W alter was undermined. People often joked about him. Many jokes and nicknames made fun of his Leipzig accent and W alter's use of parasitic words.
By the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of June 29, 1963, for his personal contribution to the fight against fascism during the Second World War and in connection with the 70th anniversary of the birth of Ulbricht W alter, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the award of the Order of Lenin and Gold Star medals.
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.
On August 1, 1973, W alter Ulbricht died. The GDR owes much of its existence to this politician. He determined the development of the country and the political course for decades to come.
