Peasants Mutual Aid Association

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.[1]

Peasants Mutual Aid Association
Vereinigung der gegenseitigen Bauernhilfe
Formation1945–1946
Dissolved1990–1994
HeadquartersEast Berlin
Location
Membership
640,000
Chairman
Otto Körting (1947–1950)
Friedrich Wehmer (1950–1964)
Ernst Wulf (1964–1979)
Fritz Zeuner (1979–1982)
Fritz Dallman (1982–1990)
Karl Dämmrich (1990)

In 1989 a GDR publication put the membership of the VdgB at 632,000 persons.[2] During the Peaceful Revolution the VdgB suffered due to its extensive connections with the ruling Socialist Unity Party.[3] 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 KörtingNovember 1947 – March 1950 SPD, SED
Friedrich WehmerMarch 1950 – February 1964 SED
Ernst WulfMarch 1964 – October 1979 SED
Fritz ZeunerOctober 1979 – September 1982 SED
Fritz DallmannSeptember 1982 – March 1990 SED
Karl Dämmrich1990 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.
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