Peasants Mutual Aid Association
Vereinigung der gegenseitigen Bauernhilfe | |
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Formation | 1945-46 |
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Extinction | 1990-94 |
Headquarters | East Berlin |
Location | |
Membership | 640,000 |
Chairman |
Otto Körting (1947-50) Friedrich Wehmer (1950-64) Ernst Wulf (1964-79) Fritz Zeuner (1979-82) Fritz Dallman (1982-90) Karl Dämmrich (1990) |
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]
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 |
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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 |