Wilhelm Pieck

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**Wilhelm Pieck**
Image:Stamp Wilhelm Pieck 2.jpg
Office:	President of the German Democratic Republic
Term of Office:	October 11, 1949–September 7, 1960

Wilhelm Pieck (January 3, 1876 - September 7, 1960) was a German communist, politician and president of East Germany.

[edit] Biography

Wilhelm Pieck was born January 3, 1876 in the eastern part of Guben, Germany, which is now Gubin and part of Poland. While he initially went to school to become a carpenter, the combination of world events, determined ideology, and political ambition led Pieck to a life of party leadership.

As a carpenter, Pieck joined the wood-worker's federation in 1894, which steered him to join the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) in 1895. Moving up the ranks, Pieck became the chairman of the party urban district in 1899, and in 1906 he was the full-time secretary of the SPD. The overall SPD response to the outbreak of World War I, was that of strong opposition, and in turn, Pieck subscribed to pacifism. Although he followed Germany's policy of army conscription, Pieck's openness in opposing the War led to his arrest and placement in a military prison. After being released, Pieck briefly lived in Amsterdam, and upon return to Berlin in 1918, Pieck played several roles in politics that included membership in the state parliament, and the Politburo of the KPD (Communist Party of Germany.) of which he co-founded in 1918.

In a speech given on August 5, 1930, Pieck called on the "working men and women" to outline his pro Marxist-Leninist worldview. Fearing the rise of the Nazi party, Pieck passionately differentiated between his communist system and that of the "fascists." Pieck argued that, "Only the communists help the worker," whereas for the Nazi party, "Under their guidance the radicalization of the masses grows." Pieck believed that, "The united strength of the working people is enormous," and that Germans should maintain their "struggles against the imperialistic threat of war and fascism, struggles for a socialist Soviet Germany."

Pieck was known for his disagreement with Hitler's ascension to power, and for his alignment with Stalin. Due to the Nazi takeover and consolidation of power, Pieck left Germany for France in 1933, and then moved to Moscow in 1935. In Moscow, Pieck served the communist party in a variety of capacities. From 1938 until 1943, Pieck served as the General Secretary of the Communist International. Pieck played an important role to Stalin as an advisor on Germany's intentions and the future course of war. In 1941 Pieck, along with Walter Ulbricht, met with Stalin to fully analyze Hitler's warnings and to discuss Stalin's hopes of driving the Red Army westward. Pieck's responsibilities included, conducting the meeting and recording notes, which were not recovered until fifty years later. In 1943 Pieck played a large role as a joint founder of the NKFD, National Committee for Free Germany, which was an organization that aimed to plan for the future organization of socialism in Germany after World War II. At the conclusion of the War, in 1945, Pieck returned to Germany with the Red Army. Pieck effectively connected the KPD with the SPD, to initiate the dictatorship of the Proletariat and communism that would be a model after the Soviet system.

In 1949 Pieck was elected President of the newly-established German Democratic Republic (GDR), and was contrary to Communist boss Walter Ulbricht, the first secretary of the Council of State, a very popular president. Pieck served as the only president of the GDR until his death in 1960. Pieck's ideology enabled him to obtain and maintain his posts in politics due to Stalin's overall trust in him. Overall, Stalin was confident in Pieck's ability to impress Stalinism abroad, especially in divided German country between the Eastern and Western political systems.

Preceded by: (created)	State President of the German Democratic Republic 1949–1960	Succeeded by: Walter Ulbricht (as Chairman of the Council of State)