Wear and tear to the point of catastrophe – Industrial accidents in the GDR
There were repeated industrial accidents with numerous fatalities and injuries in the GDR, particularly in the chemical and energy industries. On paper, the occupational safety measures met the highest standards. In reality, however, modern technology was lacking everywhere, whilst in production, too, the Stasi initially assumed sabotage and diversion by the Western class enemy in the case of every major accident. On the basis of some particularly serious accidents, the lecture will show how the production assets of the GDR were systematically worn out to the bitter end.
Lecture and discussion
Prof. Dr. Thomas Lindenberger, Director of the Hannah Arendt Institute for Research on Totalitarianism Dresden
Moderation
Sören Marotz, Exhibition Director DDR Museum, Berlin
