Flag of Germany#Divided Germany

The flag of the German Democratic Republic showed as well as the flag of the Federal Republic of Germany, the colors of the Weimar Republic. On the colors black-red- gold is in the middle the coat of arms of the GDR with hammer, compass and wreath of grain.

History

On the centenary of the Berlin March days in March 1948, the second People's Congress was convened in Berlin. He should create a German People's Council on the reorganization of the entire state in addition to drafting a constitution for the German Democratic Republic, a national flag for the state. The choice was between three flags, one red, one black -white- red and a black, red and gold. The proposal to introduce the red flag was quickly discarded. As a sign of communism and the international labor movement this flag was rejected by the bourgeoisie even during the revolution of 1918. As in the Federal Republic, the decision should fall in favor of the black - red-gold flag of the Weimar Republic. Against this flag but the Soviets were. As a symbol of the Weimar Republic they remember times of weakness, to crises and unemployment. Thus, the black -white- red flag was left. It goes back to the National Committee for a Free Germany. The Committee was established on 12 and 13 June 1943 under Soviet leadership took the old imperial flag. The flag should be seen as a sign of the fight against Adolf Hitler and the swastika flag.

At the Third People's Congress 1949, used by the Soviets mayor of East Berlin Friedrich Ebert brought yet again the proposal for the black-red- gold flag. His application was approved on May 30, 1949 and - on the date of the founding of the GDR - entered into force on 7 October 1949.

Thus, the German Democratic Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany the same national flag, the GDR, however, resulted only in the first ten years of its existence. During this time, the Federal Republic competed color with the identical design of the GDR. On 1 October 1959, the GDR added their national emblem, " hammer and compass, surrounded by a garland of corn ," in which a flag in order to create a distinction to the flag of the Federal Republic. The coat of arms was intended as a symbol of the alliance of workers, peasants and intelligentsia.

The public presentation of this officially as " Soviet zone flag " designated by the Federal Republic flag, however, was viewed by the end of the 1960s as a violation of the Constitution and public disorder in the Federal Republic of Germany and West Berlin and basically prevented by police action (→ explanation of federal and state interior ministers, Oct. 1959). Even when raising the flag of the GDR abroad there was stereotyped to West German protests. It was only on July 22, 1969 ordered the federal government ( grand coalition ), "that the police should intervene nowhere more against the use of the flag and coat of arms of the GDR. "

Since the GDR was not recognized under international law, started up in 1968 in sporting competitions such as the Olympic Games, teams with athletes from both parts of Germany. The Olympic Committee of the GDR refused to come under the flag of the Federal Republic, and the Olympic Committee of the Federal Republic of Germany existed until the last moment of it to make no changes to the black - red-gold flag. Ultimately yet succeeded but an agreement. They sat on the red stripes of black, red and gold flag of the Olympic rings in white. As part of the international recognition of the GDR by the United Nations and the recognition of the sovereignty of the GDR by the Federal Republic of Germany from 1972 took two separate German teams with their respective flag part.

With the introduction of the new national flag in 1959 a new flag was introduced trade. Previously led the GDR, the black-red- gold flag without coat of arms as a merchant flag. In the new trading flag like a small national coat of arms is in the upper corner. 1973 the merchant flag was again abolished and replaced by the national flag, the order was National and merchant flag.

After the political changes of 1989 in East Germany, the working group " New Constitution of the GDR" of the Round Table drew up a new constitution and proposed a new state flag in front. You should continue to be striped black-red- golden, but instead show the representation of the State Emblem of the motto swords into plowshares. The other political events with the ending of the German reunification existence of the GDR could no longer enter into force the Constitution and therefore the new flag.

In public buildings, official events and public holidays, the red flag of the labor movement was next to the GDR flag often still hoisted. Only blew on the Brandenburg Gate on the left and right of the center located in the national flag of the GDR to the days after the wall always two red flags.

War and service flags

The flags of the military organizations of the GDR wore the coat of arms with a wreath of two olive branches on a red background in the black - red-gold flag.

The flags of the People's Navy bore the coat of arms for combat ships and boats with olive branch wreath on a red, for support vessels and boats on blue bunting with a narrow and centrally arranged black-red- golden ribbon. As Gösch the national flag was used in a reduced form.

The ships and boats of the Border Brigade coast on the Baltic Sea and the boats of the East German border troops on the Elbe and Oder wore in addition a green bar at the leech.

?? Service Flag for combat ships and boats of the People's Navy

?? Service Flag for support vessels and boats of the People's Navy

?? Official flag of Deutsche Post (1955-1973)

?? Service Flag for ships and boats of the Border Brigade coast

?? Service flag of the boats of the border troops on the Elbe and Oder