Erich Honecker

As head of state, Honecker oversaw the construction of the Berlin Wall, a fortified barrier dividing East and West Berlin. The wall was built to stop the mass emigration of East Germans to the West and became a symbol of the Cold War.

Honecker introduced a policy focused on increasing consumer goods and social welfare to improve living standards in East Germany. While popular, this policy strained the economy and increased dependence on West German loans.

Honecker succeeded Walter Ulbricht as General Secretary of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED), becoming the de facto leader of East Germany. He consolidated power and pursued a policy of hardline communism.

Following mass protests and a mistaken announcement by a party official, the Berlin Wall fell. Honecker, who had refused to use force against demonstrators, was forced to resign shortly afterward. The event marked the beginning of the end for East Germany.