Question 55
What was the “Stasi”?
German original: Was war die "Stasi"?. In the test, all questions are asked in German.
Answer options
- the secret service in the "Third Reich"
- a famous German memorial site
- the secret service of the GDR — Correct answer
- a German sports club during the Second World War
Explanation
The Stasi (Ministry for State Security) was the domestic and foreign intelligence service of the GDR (German Democratic Republic). It carried out mass surveillance of citizens and had around 90,000 full-time employees and 170,000 unofficial informants.
Key terms in this question
- Stasi — The Stasi (Ministry for State Security) was the secret police of East Germany (GDR), which monitored citizens and persecuted political opponents. It is considered one of the most oppressive surveillance agencies in history.