Free Walking Tour Berlin

When: Every day 10am & 12pm every day
Where: The meeting point is in front of the ehemaliges Kaiserliches Postfuhramt Berlin, Oranienburger Straße, 10117 Berlin, Germany, next to the entrance.
Price: Free

The Fall of the Berlin Wall: A Moment in History

by | Oct 22, 2024 | Original Berlin

Perhaps the most important architectural work of the twentieth century, Berlin Wall, was dismantled on November 9 in 1989. The wall that divided Berlin for nearly 30 years was erected in 1961 by the Governments of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). This summitted a massive revolution in international relations and the winning of Germany’s unity.

Building of the Berlin wall

After World War II, Germany was divided into four zones controlled by the victorious Allied powers: the United States, the Soviet Union, Great Britain and France. The capital also consisted of four sectors as well, The sector in Berlin. Basically, the confrontation between Soviet and the western powers leading to the cold war.

Faced with the steadily increasing number of East German citizens fleeing to the richer Western part via Berlin, the GDR with Soviet backing built the Berlin Wall. Standing for 155 kilometers it included concrete walls and barriers, barbed wire fences, guard towers and other facilities.

The physical construction of the wall affected families, friends and communities physically meaning the division between the East, the socialist world and the West which was the capitalist world.

Causes of the Fall

The fall of the Berlin Wall can be attributed to various factors:

Political Pressure: At the time of early 1980s, Soviet Union had opened up more to politics under the regime of Mikhail Gorbachev. This new period is known as the period of Glasnost and perestroika which was intended to reinvigorate a Soviet economy that was in slow decline and introduce openness. All these policies affected the satellite states in a big way, and they included the GDR.

Protests and Activism: Instability from inside also started to threaten the existence of the GDR because of economic pains, political oppression and absent civil liberty. Demonstrations continued to intensify and the call for reforms become even louder. Many people flocked the streets demanding political change, freedom of speech and to assemble which compelled the government into action.

International Support: Of course, the United States and other Western powers took a very active part in raising diplomatic as well as economic pressure on the East German government. This support further led to the weakening of the regime and its total collapse.

Mass Migration: More pressure built up as thousands of east Germans flocked to seek asylum in West German embassy’s in most of the east bloc countries. Since the GDR failed to address the problem it became more of an issue and this prompted for change.

Political Pressure: In late 1980s Soviet carried out more political freedom under the rule of Mikhail Gorbachev. This was the beginning of the new style of the regimes known as Glasnost – or openness, and Perestroika or restructuring, with the goal of invigorating the ailing Soviet economy wearily breaking down and bringing out the truth. All these policies affected the satellite states, including the GDR in a big way.

Political Pressure:

Protests and Activism: The East Germany was troubled internally due to economic challenges, political oppressiveness and restriction of civil liberties. Opposition increased, and people’s call for reform strengthened. Thousands demanded reforms, free speech, and free movement – exerting pressure on the government that eventually has to respond.

Protests and Activism:

International Support: The superpowers together with other western Ally like the United States, put diplomatic and economic pressure on the EastGermany`. This support enhanced the disintegration of the regime even further.

International Support:

Mass Migration: Innovation grew when thousands of eastern Germans flocked to seek asylum facilities in this West German embassies in different East European nations. Due to an inability on the part of the GDR to handle the situation, there was more pressure to transform.

Mass Migration:

The Night the Wall Fell

In the evening of 9th of November, 1989 an official of the East German government declared that he had decided that the movement of people between East and West Germany, and between East and West Berlin, would be free since the following morning. It was therefore made without any proper procedures which lead to confusion among border guards as well as the citizens.

Many of the east German citizens permeated the crossing points. At the Bornholmer Strasse crossing point, the border guards simply could not control the flow of people anymore and threw open the gates. The same scenario was acted in other border crossing areas and the Berliners from both sides of the divide where busy rejoicing on the wall in a matter of hours.

The Aftermath

After the Berlin Wall came down the reunification of Germany was initiated. The Germany had three resolved periods of division: After a year of negotiation and discussion, the East and West Germany finally united as the Federal Republic of Germany in October 1990 bringing the three-decade Cold War division age to a close.

The symbol of the liberal democracy and people unity was the breaking of the Berlin Wall and reunion of beloved ones divided for so long. It also act as a driving force for important transformation in the geopolitical sphere and brought new Europe and the world we have at present.

Legacy and Lessons

Three decades after Germans’ division has been completed in 1989, the Wall still symbolizes the price of separation and the value of liberty. It remains a symbol of the naked fight and disintegration for a orderly and unified society.

The almost overnight collapse of the Berlin Wall showed that change can occur, no matter how much it may have appeared that no change is precisely what was wanted. What they do remind us as audience members is that anyone, yes anyone in this world can move history forward with the assistance of determined, brave hearts and persistent will of progressing onward for the right cause with no turning back.

Remembering the Berlin Wall helps us to cherish freedom, protect human rights and contribute to removing the walls others are building inside and outside of us. It reminds us about dialogue and respect in soiling people’s ears with our stories in an effort to reach more and more people and build an interconnected society.

Thank you for reading. If you're inspired by the stories of Berlin and want to delve deeper, why not join us on our Free Berlin Walking Tour? It's a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the city's rich history and vibrant culture. We look forward to welcoming you soon.

WHAT TO EXPECT

  • 3.5 hours walking tour
  • Berlin’s major highlights
  • Brandenburg Gate
  • Reichstag and Berlin Wall
  • Historical sites

Free Walking Tour Berlin

When: Every day 10am & 12pm every day
Where: The meeting point is in front of the ehemaliges Kaiserliches Postfuhramt Berlin, Oranienburger Straße, 10117 Berlin, Germany, next to the entrance.
Price: Free