Flag of East Germany facts for kids
The flag of East Germany was the official symbol of a country called the German Democratic Republic (GDR). This country existed in Central Europe from 1949 to 1990. For its first ten years, the East German flag looked exactly like the flag of West Germany. But in 1959, a special emblem was added to the East German flag. This emblem showed a compass and a hammer, surrounded by a wreath.
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What Was East Germany?
East Germany, also known as the German Democratic Republic (GDR), was a country that existed after World War II. Germany was divided into two parts after the war. The eastern part became East Germany. It was a socialist state, which meant its government controlled many parts of life. East Germany existed from October 7, 1949, until October 3, 1990. On that date, it joined with West Germany again. This event is called the German reunification.
The Flag's Design and Meaning
The basic design of the East German flag was the same as the German flag today. It had three horizontal stripes: black at the top, red in the middle, and gold at the bottom. These colors have been important symbols for Germany for a long time.
The 1959 Emblem
In 1959, East Germany added a special emblem to its flag. This emblem was placed in the center of the red stripe. It was a circle with a hammer, a compass, and a wreath of grain. Each part of this emblem had a special meaning:
- The hammer stood for the workers.
- The compass represented the intellectuals and scientists.
- The wreath of grain symbolized the farmers.
This emblem showed that East Germany wanted to be a country for workers, farmers, and thinkers.
Why the Flag Changed
The change in the flag in 1959 was important. It showed the world that East Germany was a separate country from West Germany. Before 1959, both German states used the same black, red, and gold flag. Adding the emblem made the East German flag unique. It was a way for East Germany to show its own identity and political system during the Cold War. The Cold War was a time of tension between the Soviet Union and its allies (like East Germany) and the United States and its allies (like West Germany).
The End of the East German Flag
The flag of East Germany was used until 1990. When East and West Germany reunited, the East German flag was no longer needed. The unified Germany then used the flag of West Germany, which is the black, red, and gold flag without any emblem. This flag is still the national flag of Germany today.
Related pages
Images for kids
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National flag of the German Democratic Republic flying.
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A GDR flag hanging in the building.
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Series of Red and GDR flags during the 1973 World Festival of Youth and Students.
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Three sets of GDR flags.
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GDR flag hanging in Leipzig, 1965
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Flag of the GDR with the FRG at the UN Headquarters.
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A fan with the GDR flag.
See also
In Spanish: Bandera de la República Democrática Alemana para niños
