Introduction
For nearly three decades, there was no wall more famous than the Berlin Wall. It collapsed November 9, 1989, a monumental moment in history. The intent of this article is to talk about what exactly made the Berlin Wall come down and the consequences on Germany and the world.
It’s the Cold War, the Division of Germany
In the aftermath of World War II, Germany was divided into two separate entities: Germany (in the past) Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) and German Democratic Republic (East Germany). The division of Berlin, capital of Germany, occurred during the Cold War, also known as Berlin Democratic Bloc versus Soviet Union.
Soviet control gave rise to East Germany’s construction of a heavily fortified barrier in 1961 which it planned to use to prevent its citizens from fleeing to West Germany, where greater freedom and such prosperity were offered. So the Berlin Wall was built, separating families from friends, and a nation.
Suppression of Freedom
The Berlin Wall was a built manifestation by the East German government of the suppression of freedom. It thought to close its citizens from the world outside and prevent them from accessing information. Restrictions on freedom of movement, censorship, and constant revel of state security presence harassed people living East Germany.
Conditions of life in East Germany were much worse than those in West Germany. Desperate to change the people of East Germany were the restriction of the economy and lack of personal liberty.
Pressure for Change
In the course of the 1980s dissatisfaction with the East German government increased. However, citizens around the world began to press for change that was inspired from various political and social movements.
The opening of Hungary’s borders with Austria, in 1989, was one great catalyst for change. East Germans travelled to Hungary and then to West Germany across Austria. East German authorities were put under immense pressure by this mass exodus, and this put further demand upon freedom.
Peaceful Protests
In East Germany, peaceful demonstrations began as frustration started to mount. And most especially, in the city of Leipzig, thousands gathered each Monday to actually protest for democracy and freedom.
These protest movements forced East German authorities to open the border with West Germany under pressure, and the change was approaching, which did happen. In an announcement on November 9, 1989 a spokesperson gaffe announced that the Berlin Wall would be opened immediately.
The Fall of the Berlin Wall
When the Berlin Wall opened, there was a wave of euphoria not only in, but also outside of Germany. Then there were the citizens of East and West Berlin, crowding to the wall, weeping joyously, hugging and singing champagne. Together they tore down the physical barrier which separated them for so long.
This momentous one night just proved to show the power of people, a yearning for freedom and of course for the people to be resilient against oppression. They showed that peaceful protest and share grassroots movements could generate a very large and transformative shift.
German Reunification
But it was the fall of the Berlin Wall, and those processes which followed, that first set in motion a series of events which ultimately brought about the reunification of Germany. East and West German officials began negotiating and after months through discussion they signed the formal reunification treaty on October 3, 1990.
It was the equivalent of the East and West Germans coming together as one nation; knocking down the physical, the political, the economic divisions that had bled the country black.
Conclusion
The fall of the Berlin Wall was a pivotal moment in history and symbolized the triumph of the human spirit over oppression. The hope this collapse brought was for change, not only in Germany but also in other places around the world.
So, it’s possible to feel how these historical dates carry deep, long lasting historical meanings that could not be so narrow and specific if told in isolation.
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