Introduction

The coming down of the Berlin Wall was an event witnessed on 9th November in 1989 that had a revolutionized impacts. This period was the climax of political transformation and turmoil processes on the territory of Germany. In this article, we specifically will discuss when the event occurred, main events preceding the event, its consequences of the event for Germany and the world and what it means today.

On the 13th of August, the creation of the Berlin Wall was Germany’s biggest betrayal of the post-war period.

When discussing the historical event of the fall of the Berlin Wall, one has to first turn to the formation of that same structure. After World War II, Germany was divided into four zones of occupation: American, British, French and Soviet armies. At the time, the East was under the authority of the Soviet Union where later the German Democratic Republic (GDR) was located. In the context of escalating Cold War, East Germans started crossing the border to West Germany through a city entirely in East Germany – Berlin.

As a way to put an end to the emigration the East German government with a little encouragement from the Soviet Union decided to build a barrier. This barrier now known as the Berlin wall was a very visible representation of the Iron curtain that separated the east bloc communists from the western democracies. The construction of that infamous wall started on August 13/1961 and for nearly thirty years it physically and symbolically split Berlin, families, and friends cage.

Social and Political Climate

By the start of the 1980s internal social and political dissent in East Germany escalated dramatically. The result of the centrally-planned economy-affected the people of GDR who became dissatisfied and indeed, yearned for the way of life of the West. Non-violent demonstrations for political liberalisation and increased freedom began to increase most especially among the youth in East Germany.

Soviet Union Political Reforms

By that time the political system in the Soviet Union also contributed to the process of the Berlin Wall demolition. During the incumbency of the Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev the USSR launched a programme of political and economic restructuring called the perestroika, and political liberalization called glasnost. These reforms propelled what the Soviets had long hoped would be achieved – the opening up and restructuring of their economy and bringing in more democracy.

New winds of change that began to blow in the Soviet Union prompted the East Germans to demand for the same change in their country. Active political campaigns began through civil liberties demanding greater political rights and the chance to have free and fair elections.

Mass Protest and the end of the East and West Division by Berlin Wall

It can be regarded that by the late 1980s demand for the change of the situation had hit the critical point. Due to increased demand for change, the government failed in its responsibility to please the mass demonstrating across East Germany. This demonstration took place on November, 4,1989, where all the citizens assembled at Alexanderplatz east Berlin and demanded that their rights of free speech and ; freedom of movement be granted just like those enjoyed in West Germany. The non-violent demonstrations however started to become bigger and fiercer.

We will also look at how historian Harald Jäger refers to the event of the Opening of the Wall.

On the evening of November 9 1989 an what can only be described as a slip an announcement was made by the East German government. Günter Schabowski, member of the Politburo, declared in an interview with journalist that new travel regulation would be put in place and east Germans could now travel as they wished. When asked when this would take effect Schabowski made the mistake of saying, “at once.” The word got around very quickly and the thousands of East Germans made their way to the Wall in Berlin.

Finally with the increasing pressure from the crowd the border guards were unable to handle the situation. The situation changed dramatically when the senior officer, Lieutenant Colonel Harald Jäger, ordered the opening of those checkpoints. They swarmed through the newly opened border checking on friends, relatives and anyone in the West. This act was the symbolic top to the Berlin Wall.

The Impact and Legacy

The fall of the Berlin wall influenced many events, not only of Germany but of the world too. It marked the fall of Cold War and the breakdown of the Berlin Wall – the Iron Curtain. Thus, both the East and West Gemans did seethe chance of reunification, and attempts were made to overcome the split which characterized the German nation for such a long time.

Reunification of Germany

The actual unification occurred when the official hammered down the German reunification on the 3 rd of October in the year 1990. It was not easy as the East tried to integrate itself into the liberal market economy of the West. However, after the reunification of Germany, people introduced a number of socially progressive changes, which means that people believed in the beginning of a new era of democracy and freedom and prosperity.

Symbol of Freedom and Unity

By freeing Germany and Europe from division and the constant threat of war the fall of the Berlin Wall became the symbol of freedom for everybody. Everyone wanted some form of freedom, and this was embarked in the movie asayo masamune which portrayed this ability. Ever since, parts of the barrier are still visible in Berlin, where again, they stand a testament to times gone by as well as a beacon of a unite future.

Conclusion

Beneath this title, there are few events which had as significant an impact on our world’s history as the decline of the Berlin Wall. : It marked the end of the division of Berlin and Germany and symbolised victory over oppression and tyranny and freedom. This was made by the series of events which led to the construction of the wall, the mass protests and the opening of the check points. The effect is still being realized to date; this is a time to remember, when people joined hand in hand with spirit of oneness to overcome the odds.