The East German government, officially known as the German Democratic Republic (GDR), was established in 1949 after World War II. It was a socialist state aligned with the Soviet Union, characterized by a one-party system led by the Socialist Unity Party. The government focused on central planning and state control over the economy, education, and media. The GDR was known for its strict border controls, including the infamous Berlin Wall, which separated East and West Berlin from 1961 until 1989. The government maintained a strong security apparatus, including the Stasi, to monitor and suppress dissent among its citizens.