had values even if they had lived in a dictatorship there were still parts of the society worth preserving for the entire country yes that would have boosted their confidence and that in itself would have been so important that western society would have seen their lives improving thanks city's positive aspects curried over from east germany but they were denied that experience. the consequences of currency conversion and privatisation in the eastern states were disastrous the economy in the east declined sharply from 190-2994. in 1906 more than 1300000 people were unemployed in the newly formed german states it was a major downside of the reunification process the consumer cooperatives were hit especially hard this is the cons are meant department store in leipsic known to the locals as the tin can it was a relic of east germany's past. shortly before the currency changeover the store