Definition
'East German' refers to the former country of East Germany (German Democratic Republic, or GDR), its people, and culture from 1949-1990. It represents a specific period in German history when Germany was divided during the Cold War. Life in East Germany was characterized by communist rule, state control, and the Berlin Wall. Unlike West Germany, East Germany had a centrally planned economy and limited individual freedoms. It's a distinct chapter in German and European history.