Travel Document Soviet Occupation of Germany
Document Soviet Occupation Germany
CONSULAR DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL ADVISER OFFICE OF SOVIET MILITARY ADMINISTRATION IN GERMANY
Berlin-Karlshorst, 25 September 1947
Soviet Occupation Zone
The Soviet Occupation Zone (SBZ) is the part of Germany that was under the control of the Soviet Military Administration (SMAD) from 1945 to 1949. Geographically, it was the central and eastern parts of Germany between the rivers Elbe and Oder/Neisse. The area covered about 121,000 square kilometers, with about 16 million inhabitants.
After the end of the Second World War in 1945, Germany was divided into four occupation zones and placed under the administrative sovereignty of the four victorious powers France, England, the USA, and the Soviet Union. Denazification was the primary goal of the victorious powers. The Soviet Union also endeavored to transfer its model of state and society to the part of Germany it occupied. Document Soviet Occupation Germany
On the political and economic level, this included the gradual nationalization of land ownership, industrial plants, and the establishment of a one-party system based on the Soviet model. On the cultural level, the education of a new human being – a socialist human being – was at the forefront. In addition to drastic measures in the economy, politics, and culture, the occupation period was marked above all by repression and persecution against the population. Document Soviet Occupation Germany
The period between 1945 and 1949 was of decisive importance for the state of Brandenburg. The former Prussian province of Brandenburg became the province of Mark Brandenburg with the administrative districts of Potsdam and Frankfurt in 1945. With about 26,900 square kilometers, the region was the largest country in the Soviet Zone in terms of area, but with about 2.5 million inhabitants, it was sparsely populated. After the dissolution of Prussia in February 1947, the province of Mark Brandenburg became the state of Mark Brandenburg with Potsdam as capital. Karl Steinhoff was appointed as the first prime minister from 1946 to 1949. Document Soviet Occupation Germany
Many thanks to my friend Albert for the translation from Russian and to find out the bearers’ bio data.
