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Peasants Mutual Aid Association

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(Redirected from VdgB) Mass organization in the GDR (German Democratic Republic)
Peasants Mutual Aid Association
Vereinigung der gegenseitigen Bauernhilfe
Formation1947
Dissolved1990
HeadquartersEast Berlin
Location
Membership632,000 (1989)
ChairmanOtto Körting (1947–1950)
Friedrich Wehmer (1950–1964)
Ernst Wulf (1964–1979)
Fritz Zeuner (1979–1982)
Fritz Dallman (1982–1990)
Karl Dämmrich (1990)
1986 Volkskammer: 14 / 500

The Peasants Mutual Aid Association (German: Vereinigung der gegenseitigen Bauernhilfe, VdgB) was an East German mass organization for peasants and farmers, later also gardeners. It was founded in the 1945–1946 period and was a participant in the National Front. From 1950 to 1963 and again in 1986, it had representation in the Volkskammer.

In 1989, a GDR publication put the membership of the VdgB at 632,000 persons. During the Peaceful Revolution, the VdgB suffered because of its extensive connections with the ruling Socialist Unity Party. In February 1990, it changed its name to the Farmers Association of the GDR but was unable to make the transition from East German society to that of a reunified Germany. It was fully liquidated in 1994.

From 1979 to 1990, the VdgB operated the Ringberghaus, a large hotel east of the city of Suhl. The hotel's purpose was to provide accommodation for farmers on holiday in the Thuringian Forest, and a VdgB voucher was required for lodging.

Chairmen of the VdgB

Name Term Party
Otto Körting November 1947 – March 1950 SPD, SED
Friedrich Wehmer March 1950 – February 1964 SED
Ernst Wulf March 1964 – October 1979 SED
Fritz Zeuner October 1979 – September 1982 SED
Fritz Dallmann September 1982 – March 1990 SED
Karl Dämmrich 1990 SPD

References

  1. Gert-Joachim Glaessner. The Unification Process in Germany: From Dictatorship to Democracy. 1992. p. 33.
  2. The German Democratic Republic. Berlin: Panorama DDR. 1989. p. 37.
  3. Jonathan Osmond & Rachel Alsop. German Reunification: A Reference Guide and Commentary. 1992. p. 211.

External links

Political parties in East Germany
Parties of the
Democratic Bloc (1945–1950)
Parties of the
National Front (1950–1989)
Parties during and after the
Peaceful Revolution (1989–1990)
Constituent Mass Organizations
Organizations of the German Democratic Republic East Germany
Mass organizations with representation in the Volkskammer
Other organizations within the National Front
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