Scotland-GDR Society

The Scotland-GDR Society was an association based in Scotland, dedicated to promoting relations with the German Democratic Republic. The organisation was founded on 6 September 1986, as the six Scottish local branches of the Britain-GDR Society broke away and formed their own organisation.[1][2][3][4]

The foundation of the Scotland-GDR Society had been preceded by tensions within the Britain-GDR Society in the 1980s.[1] Whilst the Britain-GDR Society had failed to make any major inroads in British politics, its Scottish branches had managed to build a significant network among the Scottish left-wing movement.[2] Led by Marlene Smith and Peter Smith, the Scottish branches of the society had a degree of autonomy.[1][2] It had mainly been active in Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen.[3] And the East Germans had become increasingly frustrated with the Eurocommunist leadership in the Britain-GDR Society, leading to splits in the organisation.[2]

The Scotland-GDR Society held its first national congress on 20 March 1988.[4] As of 1988, the organisation had 550 members.[4] As of 1990, Peter Smith served as the secretary of the Scotland-GDR Society.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c Golz, Hans-Georg (2004). Verordnete Völkerfreundschaft: das Wirken der Freundschaftsgesellschaft DDR-Grossbritannien und der Britain-GDR Society: Möglichkeiten und Grenzen (in German). Leipziger Universitätsverlag. p. 260. ISBN 978-3-937209-25-8.
  2. ^ a b c d Berger, Stefan; LaPorte, Norman (1 May 2010). Friendly Enemies: Britain and the GDR, 1949-1990. Berghahn Books. pp. 246, 251, 253, 297. ISBN 978-1-84545-827-0.
  3. ^ a b Childs, David (December 2007). "The Other Germany: Perceptions and Influences in British-East German Relations, 1945-1990". The English Historical Review. CXXII (499): 1470–1472.
  4. ^ a b c Berger, Stefan; LaPorte, Norman (1 January 2005). The Other Germany: Perceptions and Influences in British-East German Relations, 1945-1990. Winer-Verlag e.K. p. 113. ISBN 978-3-89639-485-9.
  5. ^ GDR Review. Verlag Zeit im Bild. 1990. p. 48.