Die DDR im Blick der Stasi 1985

In 1985, East Germany remains in a state of perpetual crisis. Although the billions in loans from West Germany in 1983 and 1984 averted state bankruptcy, the pressure of problems remains high: the miserable supply situation, the dilapidated economy, growing environmental issues, and countless people wanting to leave the country. All these political challenges are also reflected in the secret reports to the SED leadership. However, the focus of the Stasi reports continues to be on the Protestant churches as well as the peace, women's, and environmental initiatives in East Germany. Other topics of 1985 include escapes, problems with the national railway, anxious writers, the 40th anniversary of the end of World War II, and not least, the mood of the population. This was heavily characterized by dissatisfaction and resignation, but with the new leader in the Kremlin, there were hopes for change; his name: Mikhail Gorbachev.