Popular uprising in the GDR

© AdsD A worker from East Berlin removes a portrait of Stalin

When the SED Politburo decides to finance its „New Course“ – lowering prices while simultaneously raising production of consumer goods – by raising job norms for all industries, industrial and mine workers in the GDR stage spontaneous strikes and demonstrations which begin in East Berlin on 17 June 1953 and spread to many regions of the country. Ca. one million people take part in this day’s protest rallies. Calls ring out for the government to resign, for holding free and secret elections and ultimately for unification with the Federal Republic.

The SED Politburo appears incapable of mastering the situation and is temporarily deprived of its power by the Soviet High Commissar in Germany, Vladimir S. Semyonov. Soviet troops and tanks suppress the uprising in short order. By 30 June over 6,000 persons will be arrested and several hundred deaths will be mourned.

Shortly after the suppression of the „Popular Uprising in the GDR“ the 17th of June in the Federal Republic of Germany will become a legal holiday known as the „Day of German Unity“.

© AdsD Soviet tanks force their way through the crowd of demonstrators