The GDR was (not) broke

Myths surrounding the 1990 monetary union

With the monetary union on 1 July 1990, the Deutschmark came to the GDR – a long-awaited event for many, but one that also had far-reaching consequences for the East German economy. But what was the GDR's actual financial situation in 1989/90? Was economic collapse as inevitable as the political end of the SED regime? In the accompanying event to the special exhibition »Endlich Westgeld!« (Finally Western Money!), Matthias Judt explores the myth of a bankrupt GDR. Based on economic historical analyses, he shows why both positions – »bankrupt« and »not bankrupt« – appear plausible. The lecture thus questions supposed certainties and opens up new perspectives.

Lecture and discussion:
Matthias Judt, economic historian, Berlin

Moderator:
Dr Liza Soutschek, research assistant at the DDR Museum

Admission is free of charge.

21 January 2026, 6 pm

Conference room DDR Museum
Sankt Wolfgang-Str. 2
10178 Berlin

Here you can see the location.

The event will take place in German.