West vs East Germany poster

West Vs East Geramny

Consumer Goods

There was a wide range of high quality consumer goods in West Germany such as cars, cameras, kitchen appliances, telephones etc.

There was many shortages of basic consumer goods so people often had to join long waitlists. They were known for their 'peoples car' called a Trabant - it is also famously rubbish demonstrating ther poor quality of their goods

Political systems

West Germany was a democratic country with a federal system. Its first president was Konrad Adenauer. People were allowed to freely vote and and run againist the the main candidate

East Germany was a one-party communist state. Its first president was Walter Ulbricht however he was essentially a puppet leader for Joseph Stalin. The Stasi was created in order to spy on eniemes of the state such as political opponents and would essentially disapear them