MORALE AND ATTITUDE OF EAST GERMAN POPULACE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A004900770005-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 16, 2007
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: September 1, 1954
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2007/07/16: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA004900770005-2
CENTR INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
COUNTRY East Germany
SUBJECT Mores and Attitude of East German
Populace
This material contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States within the mean-
1ng of the Espionage Laws, Title 18, V.S.C. Secs. 793
end 194, the transmission or revelation of which in
any manner ,tpan unauthorized person is prohibited
w,. "by law: ; ;.
REPORT
DATE DISTR. 20 Sept. 1954
NO. OF PAGES 2
REQUIREMENT NO. RD
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
1. While there has been a gradual decline in the number of factory slow-downs and other
manifestations of passive resistance since June 1953, the regime is still meeting
considerable opposition from workers and farmers on such issues as work-norms, crop
delivery quotas and collectivization measures.
2. ' he number of overt visitors to West Berlin has gradually declined since June 1953.
After a rise from 4,500 visitors in January 1953 to 5,700 visitors in June 1953, the
monthly average for 1954 has declined to about 3500 to 4000. This decline is probably
partly due-to a lowered faith in the West and partly to fear of the SSD. Since the
reasons for the visits are many and varied, it is difficult, however, to use the vis-
itore' flow as an indicator of morale or resistance.
3. The failure of the June uprisings and of the Berlin Conference to remove the East Ger-
man regime, and subsequent discouraging events culminating in the French refusal to
ratify EDC, have caused a progressively declining morale and spirit of resistance al-
legedly leading to a tendency to come to terms with the regime. Each additional sign
of Western weakness and disunity has furthered this trend. An additional factor has
been the fear inspired by the propaganda campaign exploiting the John affair, and also
dealing with ex-General Gehlen and other subjects. Although the John case has had less
effect in East Germany than in the Federal Republic, it is still a significant link in
the chain of discouraging events. The. population realizes that the Cold War is here to,
stay, doubts Western willingness and ability to change the status quo, and has Pound no,
substitute for the goal of reunification.
.. While the population is thus willing to leave politics to the Party and its function-
cries, it continues its resistance against the regime on specific issues affecting per-
sonal and working conditions. Organizations like the FDJ, the FDGB, and the German-
Soviet Friendship Society have shown a marked lack of success in attracting new members)
collecting duets,, and getting people to attend meetings. Would-be activists in factoriel
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Approved For Release 2007/07/16: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA004900770005-2
 Approved For Release 2007/07/16: CIA-RDP80-00810A004900770005-2
are usually quickly crushed by teir colleagues, and officially sponsored work
competitions have become farces.-' Sabotage in factories has been reported in
ace-isolated instances; but generally, workers' resistance is limited to cases
affecting their bread and butter. The farmers continue to resist collectivization
and increases in delivery quotas, but encounter increasing pressure from the regime.
5. That the population has not changed its basic antagonism against the regime was
demonstrated last June in the anti-EDO plebiscite, when it is estimated,, 20 per
cent of all,ballots were invalid or marked with a "No." What hie changed is the
general attitude toward the West. The East Germans are becoming increasingly criti
cal of the west, and skeptical towards Western propaganda. While they are sullen
ax.,.-.-cautious towards their regime, they are waiting somewhat doubtfully for concrete
ileern steps to change the statue quo. This state of low morale will continue un-
til -e political event, series of events, indicates growing Western strength and
unity which will promise a change in the East German situation.
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Approved For Release 2007/07/16: CIA-RDP80-00810A004900770005-2