What is republikflucht?

Republikflucht is a German term used to describe the act of fleeing East Germany to a capitalist country during the existence of the communist German Democratic Republic (GDR), from 1949 to 1990. Republikflucht mainly took place in the 1950s, when more than two million people fled East Germany, primarily to West Germany where they could have more opportunities for freedom and a better life.

The GDR government attempted to prevent Republikflucht by building the Berlin Wall in 1961, which made it almost impossible for East Germans to cross over to the west. However, some people still managed to escape to the west by jumping over the wall, digging tunnels, or using fake passports.

Republikflucht had a significant impact on East Germany's economy and society, as many of the people who fled were skilled professionals, causing a brain drain in the GDR. The GDR tried to stop the exodus by punishing those who attempted to flee with imprisonment, fines, and the confiscation of their property.

After the fall of the Wall in 1989 and the reunification of Germany in 1990, Republikflucht became a symbol of the struggle for freedom and democracy during the Cold War. Many East Germans see the act of Republikflucht as a heroic resistance against the oppressive Communist regime, and it remains an important part of Germany's history.