Family Law in the SOZ/GDR I: Stalinism

Abstract

Family Law in the SOZ/GDR during the Stalinistic Period is characterized by a legislation that initially realizes Weimarian reform postulates, for example a new family procedural law or the law on women’s rights. Since 1952, the reforms follow the Soviet model: A new court constitution is established, based on the Soviet judicial system and a new marriage regulation also comes into force. The Supreme Court uses family law as a lever for the reorganization of society in accordance with constitutional postulates and political ideas.

Keywords

• family law
• marriage law
• divorce procedure
• german democratic republic
• stalinism
• hilde benjamin
• women’s rights