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

Why and When was the Berlin Wall taken down?

by | Oct 22, 2024 | Walking Tour

Do you know when the Berlin Wall erected during the period of the Cold War was brought down? In this post, attention will be paid to the main events and causes of the collapse of the Berlin Wall.

Germany’s division during the Cold War: The Construction of the Berlin Wall

The construction of the of Berlin Wall began at midnight of August 12 to mid of August 13 in the year 1961. The East Germany under the support of the Soviet Union put up this wall to separate the East Berlin from the West Berlin. It was built due to the large influx of people from East to West Germany which continuous reduction of population in East Germany. It was supposed to prevent this migration and consolidate the authority of the East German authorities.

The wall ran for as long as 96 miles, encircling West Berlin and splitting it off from East Germany. It was a high-security surrounded by concrete walls and barbed wire; towers; and ‘the death strip’ that encompassed trenches and a prohibited zone known as no man’s land. It simply became an icon with the Cold War where the Western Bloc and the Soviet Bloc restrictedly faced each other.

The Fall of the Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall separated East and West Berlin for 28 years before it was demolished, concrete and brick symbol emblematically dividing two Berlins. However, by the end of 1980s the Soviet Union as well as its socialist partners were experiencing a number of internal problems, and the growth rate of the GNP had stagnated . In East Germany, they had a government of Erich Honecker’s who was struggling to contain people’s protests.

The Peaceful Revolution

Perhaps the major cause for the collapse of the Berlin Wall is the non violent revolution in East Germany. In summer and autumn, 1989 unprecedented wave of protest and demonstration for political change swept through East Germany. These depicts escalated not only with appeals for freedom, democracy or stoppage of the regimes’ repressive measures.

During a press conference on November 9, 1989, the highest state organ of the GDR unintentionally informed the public that GDR citizens were allowed to cross by foot at the border check-point to the west-side of the Berlin. Many east germans proceeded to the wall, especially the checkpoints where the joyous reunification took place. This event was an indication that the division of Germany was about to end and the fall of the Iron Curtain, and people from the eastern side would be able to move to the western side of Germany.

Family Restoration and the Consequences

With the end of the Cold War for instance, after the collapse of the Berlin Wall, organizations aimed at reuniting eastern and western Germany. The reunification actually started on October 3, 1990 when the east Germany was integrated into the federal republic of Germany. After the collapse of the Berlin Wall people had the chance to be reunited, reconstruct Berlin and a new united Germany and build a new and democratic nation.

Conclusion

The collapse of The Berlin Wall is one of the historians’ landmarks which marked the three centuries cold war and German reunification. The revolution of the wall and the subsequent episodes showed that people’s words can bring about change in the political system.

The previous year saw another significant event for Europe: the fall of the Berlin Wall on 9th November, 1989 and the drive towards better world’s division. Now fragments of the pride and monuments of happiness remain as the significance of the triumph of freedom and the indomitable spirit of a person.

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