Erich Honecker was the man who successfully launched the communist youth movement and served as an oversight for the Berlin Wall’s construction. He eventually took over as general secretary. He was likely chosen due to his loyalty to the USSR. Honecker stated that he wanted to put the Stasi, secret police, in full force. Everyone thought he looked like a modern European leader; however, he quickly emerged as the example of an iron-fisted totalitarian dictator. As well, he introduced consumer socialism. Honecker stated that it would raise the standard of living and give the population more consumer products. By the early 1970s, shelves were full and more products were available to the general population. However, there was no marketing or interesting
