Revolution 1989 Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Victor Sebestyen’s book, ‘Revolution 1989’ focuses on the Soviet Union following the end of WWII. In particular I will focus on the separation of Germany into the East and West.

A bit of background, after the allies conquered Germany, the communist Soviet Union took the East of Germany while the West was temporarily held by the democratic USA. While the West was moving forward into a free state, those in East Germany were repressed by the Soviet regime. A wall was built dividing the two societies and many families were split between the two. 

The laughably named, German Democratic Republic, in an effort to earn money from the West began trading humans. Yes, they traded humans. They knew the West wanted their prisoners returned safely so decided to charge a fee for their ‘service’. Although this may seem similar to say a country paying for a prisoner to be released from a terrorist organization, it is quite different.

These exchanges were not special or one-offs, they were part of a fully functioning, well-oiled business scheme. They business had it’s own infrastructure such as specific jails, private buses and followed strict time frames.

Overall, it was estimated around 34,000 people were ‘sold’ from the East to the West for DM 40,000 in the mid 60’s to 100,000 in the mid 80’s per head. 

Prisoners were well numbered with any West German who travelled to the East, even with the necessary travel documents, imprisoned.

Although never formally admitting to the business, it has been said this trade made a substantial contribution to their budget.

The first chapter of this book has hooked me in through the simple and understandable yet intriguing style.

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