21939-1945: Destruction under WWII
During the war, in addition to manufacturing airplanes for the German Luftwaffe, the city’s chemical industry played a fatal role in producing Cyclone-B used in Nazi concentration camps. [1] Over eighty-five percent of Dessau was destroyed during World War II, and was predominantly destroyed over only a few days[2]. Bombings from the March 7, 1945 air raids left the most damage to Dessau’s historic center. The war left thousands of causalities and city damage [3]. In addition, the war left many refugees and displaced persons throughout Eastern Germany. [2] Above: Couple reuniting after World War II in Dessau [3]
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Above: Displaced families passing through Dessau from far East Europe [3]
Below: Dessau city center during 1945 [4] |
Above: The brutal effects of WWII had a lasting impact on the population. Over 85% of the city was destroyed with thousands of casualties [3]
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Above: Photo of displaced persons, c. 1945 Dessau [4]
Above: Former Gestapo informant being arrested during the Soviet occupation of Dessau [6]
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1949: Formation of the German Democratic Republic
1952: City becomes largest in Halle during GDR era After World War, Germany was split into two zones: West and East Germany. Dessau, as a city within East Germany, was under Soviet occupation. The first German state elections took place on October 15, 1946 and represented the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED), the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), and the Peasants Mutual Aid Association [3]. The East German economy, particularly of industrial cities like Dessau, were completely decimated during and after World War II [6] . Industrial centers, trade areas, and city infrastructure was heavily destroyed, and the few that remained were seized by Soviet forces. Of the few remaining sites, 25% of mechanical engineering plants, 45% of chemical plants, and many railway tracks were dismantled by the Soviets. The presence of Huber Junker's former aerospace industry in Dessau ultimately vanished by this point. [6] Any advancements made in East Germany during the Soviet occupation were then branded under the Soviet regime. During the 1949 formation of the German Democratic Republic, the position of East German subordination to the Soviet regime was established. Despite being heavily destroyed during World War II, the Soviets rebuilt some of the city of Dessau, except without proper management and organized government bodies since the city was subject to a Soviet dictatorship. Under the Soviet dictatorship, density-oriented housing was heavily prioritized.[7] |