The rise and fall of East German leader Erich Honecker (302)

Cold War Conversations Podcast

Ian Sanders

Society & Culture, Documentary, History

4.8 • 758 Ratings

🗓️ 28 July 2023

⏱️ 72 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Honecker emerged as an ambitious political player and became the shadowy mastermind behind the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961, a crucial moment in twentieth-century history. Author Nathan Morley brings to life the story of the longtime leader of the German Democratic Republic. Drawing from a wealth of untapped archival sources – and firsthand interviews with Honecker’s lawyers, journalists, and contemporary witnesses – Morley paints a vivid portrait of how an uneducated miner’s son from the Saarland rose to the highest ranks of the German Communist Party. Having survived a decade of brutality in Nazi prisons, and frequently on the verge of being relegated to obscurity, he managed to overthrow strongman Walter Ulbricht at the height of the Cold War and reigned supreme over the GDR between 1971-1989. However, by 1980, the Honecker honeymoon was on the wane as a decade of economic and social difficulties blighted the GDR. Then, as tumultuous changes swept through the Soviet bloc, everything in and around him collapsed in 1989. His health, his certainties, his ideology, his apparatus of power, and his beloved SED party. 0:00 Introduction and discussion on the life of Eric Honecker 5:42 Overview of Honecker's early life and family background 13:49 Honecker's return to Germany and the state of the country 19:37 Honecker's post-war life and rise in East German politics 28:01 Honecker's struggle with the exodus of East Germany's population 34:53 Operation Rose: The division of Berlin 44:10 Public perception of Honecker in East Germany 46:05 Intensifying economic struggles in East Germany and Poland 55:26 Honecker's refusal to follow Gorbachev's reforms and health decline 1:01:19 Honecker's extradition and trial in Berlin 1:03:17 Honecker's release and final years in Chile 1:05:29 Honecker's funeral and tributes received 1:06:51 Mention of the book "The Man Who built the Berlin Wall" by Nathan Moreley and podcast extras 1:07:22 Acknowledgement of podcast's financial supporters and closing remarks Buy the book here https://uk.bookshop.org/a/1549/9781399088824 The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to keep this podcast on the air. You’ll become part of our community and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link. Book giveaway entry info here https://coldwarconversations.com/giveaway/ Episodes mentioned: History of East Germany https://coldwarconversations.com/episode284/ Doping of East German athletes https://coldwarconversations.com/episode264/ Polish strikes in 1980 https://coldwarconversations.com/episode152/ Extra episode information https://coldwarconversations.com/episode302/ Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/ Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Radio GDR If you are interested in East Germany we can highly recommend our friends over at Radio GDR. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Cold War Conversations, the home of real stories of the Cold War.
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0:56.0	This is Cold War Conversations. If you're new here, you've come to the right place to listen to first-hand Cold War history accounts. Do make sure you follow us in your podcast app or join our emailing list at cold warconversations.com.
1:04.3	Nathan Morley brings to life the story of the long-time leader of the German Democratic Republic.
1:09.9	Drawing from a wealth of untapped archival sources and first-hand interviews with Honika's lawyers, journalists and contemporary
1:12.3	witnesses, Morley paints a vivid portrait of how an uneducated minor son from the Sarland
1:18.7	rose to the highest ranks of the German Communist Party. Having survived a decade of
1:24.3	brutality in Nazi prisons, Honikaaker emerged as an ambitious political player
1:29.6	and became the shadowy mastermind behind the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961, a crucial
1:35.8	moment in 20th century history. Although frequently on the verge of being relegated to obscurity,
1:42.1	he managed to overthrow strongman Walter Ulbricht at the height
1:46.2	of the Cold War and reigns supreme over the GDR between 1971 and 1989. However, by 1980,
1:54.4	the Honnaker honeymoon was on the wane as a decade of economic and social difficulties blighted the
2:00.1	GDR. I'm delighted to welcome
2:02.5	Nathan Morley to our Cold War conversation.
	...

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