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Ministry Walter Ulbricht and the construction of the Berlin Wall
It was a lie that made history: on 15 June 1961, Walter Ulbricht, head of state of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), denied rumours that there were plans to close the border between East and West Berlin. In fact nobody had asked if there were plans to build a wall; it was Ulbricht himself who introduced the idea into the discussion. To this day it is unclear why he did so. What is known is …
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Ministry The resistance group “Rote Kapelle”
The former Reich Aviation Ministry was responsible for sending the German Luftwaffe into the Second World War, but it was also home to resistance to the Third Reich. Harro Schulze-Boysen, who worked at the ministry, was one of the leaders of the “Rote Kapelle” (“Red Orchestra”) resistance group, which was pursued for many years by the Nazis. During the 1930s he was at the centre of a network of …
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Ministry The German Finance Ministry around the world
The German Finance Ministry offers interesting and varied opportunities – not only in Berlin and Bonn but also abroad. Around 80 to 90 Finance Ministry staff work in other countries all over the world.
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Ministry The founding of the GDR in 1949
The building now known as the Detlev Rohwedder Building took on a significant role in the history of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) on 7 October 1949. It was on this day that the German People’s Council (a surrogate parliament for the Soviet occupation zone) declared itself the provisional People’s Chamber and put the constitution of the GDR into effect. The founding of the GDR, and hence …
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Ministry The East German uprising of 17 June 1953
In the years following the foundation of the German Democratic Republic in 1949, social tensions in the country increased rapidly. In 1953, the government tried to get the economic problems under control by raising work quotas. But finally the growing discontent among the population reached boiling point. On 17 June 1953, strikes and demonstrations broke out all over the GDR – including in front …
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Ministry The Detlev Rohwedder Building
The Detlev Rohwedder Building was built between 1935 and 1936 as the headquarters of the Reich Aviation Ministry. Reich Aviation Minister Hermann Göring wanted it to be an expression of political power. This aim was reflected in the neoclassical architectural style, which despite its simplicity made a powerful impression on visitors. The then dark Stone Hall with its low pillars was designed to …
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Public finances The cabinet makes social cohesion and modernisation priorities
On 20 March 2019, the federal cabinet adopted the benchmark figures for the 2020 federal budget and the financial plan to 2023. The government is planning record-level investments, the biggest tax cuts in over 10 years as well as comprehensive measures to boost social cohesion, ensuring that everyone in the country benefits from Germany’s economic success.
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Coronavirus Customised support for new businesses affected by the coronavirus crisis
Support for start-ups will be further strengthened as part of government measures to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
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Public finances Christian Lindner at the Bundestag’s special session on the war in Ukraine
At the Bundestag’s special session addressing Russia’s attack on Ukraine in violation of international law, Finance Minister Christian Lindner announced massive investments in Germany’s armed forces. A special fund worth €100 billion will be established for this purpose. In addition, the government plans to spend billions of euros to build up gas and coal reserves. It will also place an even …