Answer:
It was to keep Western facists from entering East Gemany and too keep the people of East Germany in. It was also used to keep capitalism out.
I would write
My dear neighbors,
the Assyrians have been plotting to conquer our city. They are brutal people, and we must surrender without a fight. We must protect ourselves, and surrendering will cause them have mercy on us.
It was "the Adamson Act" that was a progressive reform that mandated an 8 hour workday for railroad workers, since these workers prior to such reforms often were up against very harsh conditions and long hours.