Die DDR im Blick der Stasi 1963

1963: Two years after the construction of the Berlin Wall, there was movement in national and international politics. In 1963, Egon Bahr coined the formula "change through rapprochement", which marks the irrefutable beginning of the policy of détente. With the first pass agreement, the wall becomes permeable again, at least for the West Berliners, for the first time in December 1963. In the GDR, Walter Ulbricht launched fundamental reforms in 1963, which affect not only the economy but also justice, youth, art and culture. In doing so, he is adept at responding to serious symptoms of crisis. But broad sections of the population continue to express dissatisfaction, be they workers or young people, Christians or cultural workers. The reports of the GDR state security to the SED leadership clearly reflect the ambivalence of this marked year between departure and perseverance.