What were common feelings and beliefs about West German citizens held by those in the GDR? What was officially taught about West Germany before reunification?

by ChiknParm
Koh-I-Noor

What was officially taught about West Germany before reunification?

The relevant subject in East German schools was called Staatsbürgerkunde ("state-civics-science" or short civics) (German Wikipedia entry). It was taught from grade 7 to 10 (and further).

Here is a chapter from the textbook (grade 10) translated into English.

And here is a write-up about this East German education versus West German TV. Some qutoes:

“The GDR and the FRG ---two states with different social orders” (...). On the “GDR” side of the board he has listed the following descriptions: socialist state, socialist ownership of the means of production, power of the working class in alliance with other working people (...). On the “FRG” side he has written: imperialist state, private-capitalist ownership of the means of production, power of the bourgeoisie monopoly (...).

The chapter consistently associates NATO members with the “evils of capitalism,” such as extensive unemployment, as well as aggressive militarism and nuclear war (“Civics Textbook,” Calvin College, 2011)

In general, West Germany was depicted as puppet state of the USA and NATO with their people as victims of imperialism and the monopols of the rich.