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This is What Life was Like in Communist East Germany

Tim Flight December 18, 2019 25 min

Berlin Wall - Checkpoint Charlie — A man peers over the newly-built Berlin Wall in August 1961. The Guardian

30. East Germans loved Native American culture

A historical reenactment of Native American history in Leipzig, June 1970. Wikimedia Commons

Native American culture had long been popular in Germany. German culture in the 18^th and 19^th centuries saw Native Americans as brave, plucky warriors whose fight for freedom mirrored their own. Historical re-enactors began portraying Native Americans in the 20^th century, and the GDR wanted to capitalize on this enthusiasm. Conveniently, Karl Marx used Native Americans as an example of a society without private property in his foundational socialist writings. The SED closely monitored re-enactment societies to make sure they portrayed the Native American culture according to Marx’s interpretation. They also ensured the re-enactors portrayed white settlers as invading capitalists.

Written by

Tim Flight

I am a freelance historical and literary writer based in West Yorkshire, UK. I read for a funded PhD in English at the University of Oxford (Magdalen College) and graduated in 2016. I am a former lecturer in Medieval English Literature at Royal Holloway, University of London. My publications include peer-reviewed articles in academic publications, and pieces in mainstream magazines such as History Today and Fortean Times. For more information, please see www.drflight.co.uk