A City Divided
Live, Learn, Travel: The Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall
Last week’s newsletter focused on the Battle of Britain and its importance in the Allied nations defeating Nazi Germany. After Germany’s defeat, the four Allied powers, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and France, agreed to divide the country into four occupation zones.
The same was also done to the capital of Nazi Germany, Berlin. Despite being located in the Soviet zone, the city was divided into 4 sectors, each controlled by one Allied power.
Not long after World War II, tensions began to arise between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union. In 1949, Germany was formally transformed into two separate states:
Federal Republic of Germany (FRG): Commonly known as West Germany, it consisted of the American, British, and French zones and was established as a democratic state.
German Democratic Republic (GDR): Commonly known as East Germany, it was formed in the Soviet zone and established as a socialist state under Soviet influence.
The same change occurred in Berlin as West Berlin formed from the merging of the United States, the United Kingdom, and France’s sectors. East Berlin remained under control of the Soviet Union.
The Iron Curtain
As political tensions continued to rise between the Soviet Union and the Western Allies, trouble began to form.
A plan was developed to help countries destroyed by the war. Known as the Marshall Plan, it provided economic assistance to rebuild damaged infrastructure and the overall economy throughout Europe.
The Soviet Union and its Eastern Bloc allies were invited to participate but they declined.
This would create a further divide in Berlin. From 1949 to 1961, people fled East Berlin for the economic opportunities and the political freedom of the West.
About 3 million East Germans left for West Germany during this time.
To stop the flow of refugees, the East German government decided to seal off East Berlin from West Berlin. Construction began on the Berlin Wall on August 13, 1961.
Initially, barbed wire was used to quickly build a barrier. Later, concrete walls, guard towers, and other fortifications would expand the wall and make it even more difficult to leave.
Almost overnight, the citizens of East Berlin were closed off from their families and friends.
The Iron Curtain was now in place.
Many would lose their life trying to cross the border and escape.
The Heroes
Conrad Schumann
Who: A 19-year-old East German border guard.
Heroic Act: On August 15, 1961, just days after the Berlin Wall began construction, Schumann made a dramatic escape to West Berlin by leaping over barbed wire while on guard duty. A photograph of his leap became an iconic image of defiance.
Rudolf Müller
Who: An East German engineer.
Heroic Act: Müller constructed a series of tunnels beneath the Berlin Wall to help East Germans escape to the West. His tunnels enabled numerous successful escapes, showcasing the ingenuity and determination of those resisting the division.
Ronald Reagan
Who: The 40th President of the United States.
Heroic Act: Reagan delivered a memorable speech at the Brandenburg Gate in 1987, urging Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to "tear down this wall." His speech symbolized the Western support for German reunification and the end of the Cold War.
Mikhail Gorbachev
Who: Leader of the Soviet Union
Heroic Act: His policies and decisions significantly influenced the political landscape of Eastern Europe and facilitated the conditions that made the fall of the Berlin Wall possible.
The People of Leipzig
Who: Citizens of Leipzig, East Germany.
Heroic Act: The peaceful demonstrations in Leipzig, known as the Monday Demonstrations, began in 1989. These protests, advocating for political reform and freedom, played a crucial role in the broader movement that led to the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Harald Jäger
Who: An East German border officer.
Heroic Act: On November 9, 1989, Jäger made the critical decision to open the Bornholmer Straße border crossing, allowing East Berliners to pass through to West Berlin. This act, against official orders, was a significant moment in the fall of the Berlin Wall.
The Fall of the Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall stood for almost three decades. During this time, the citizens of East Berlin lived under strict surveillance. Propaganda, fear, and mistrust were used to keep people inline.
Political freedoms were severely limited and any opposition was harshly punished.
Basic needs such as housing, food, and healthcare were paid for by the state but opportunities for advancement or for a better way of life were extremely limited unless you had political connections.
Throughout the 70’s and 80’s there became a growing movement for political reform and greater freedom.
By the 1980’s, the economies of the Eastern Bloc, including East Germany, were stagnating. Inefficiency and a lack of innovation led to economic hardships. Shortages of consumer goods increased public frustration.
David Bowie performed a concert near the Berlin Wall in 1987 so it could be heard by both East and West Berliners.
His song “Heroes” became an anthem for those wanting freedom and unity.
In the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev began introducing policies that chipped away at the harsh political landscape. The Glasnost and Perestroika policies created more transparency and openness within the government and revitalized the stagnant economy.
Gorbachev also reduced the Soviet military presence in Eastern Europe. By supporting reformist leaders and movements, Gorbachev encouraged a wave of political liberalization across the region.
In May of 1989, Hungary, inspired by Gorbachev’s reforms, began dismantling its border fence with Austria, opening a gap in the Iron Curtain. People from East Germany now had a path to flee to the West.
On November 9, 1989, after a series of peaceful protests and political changes, crowds flocked to the border crossings. An evening press conference had announced more liberal travel regulations but it was unclear as to when these regulations should take effect.
Overwhelmed border guards decided to open the gates and East and West Berliners were at last reunited.
As the spontaneous celebration unfolded, people began to climb the wall and break it down. The scene was broadcast around the world.
The fall of the Berlin Wall accelerated political changes in East Germany, leading to its reunification with West Germany on October 3, 1990.
A country still divided
The wall may have fallen 33 years ago but evidence of its existence can still be found.
Today, there is still an economic divide between the East and West. The East’s economy is generally less developed, with lower wages, higher unemployment, and less economic activity.
Even today, there are still cultural and political differences.
Many young people migrated to the West for better job opportunities. However, cities in the East like Berlin, Leipzig, and Dresden have undergone significant transformation, becoming vibrant cultural and economic centers.
After many years, progress continues to be made but many of the scars still remain.
It’s hard to believe that a war that occurred almost 90 years ago, is still impacting peoples way of life.
Want to learn more about the Berlin Wall?
There are several places throughout Berlin to visit to learn about living behind the Iron Curtain. I’d recommend picking a couple to visit and then finding other activities to do. This is a heavy topic and can have a limited appeal to kids.
I do believe that seeing the wall and having an overall understanding of what happened is beneficial for kids of any age.
1. Berlin Wall Memorial (Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer)
Location: Bernauer Strasse 111, Berlin
Description: This memorial includes an outdoor exhibition along a preserved section of the Wall, the Documentation Center, and the Chapel of Reconciliation. It provides detailed information about the history of the Wall and personal stories of those affected.
Website: Berlin Wall Memorial
2. East Side Gallery
Location: Mühlenstrasse 70-71, Berlin
Description: The East Side Gallery is a 1.3 km-long section of the Berlin Wall that has been transformed into an open-air gallery featuring over 100 murals by artists from around the world. It stands as a symbol of freedom and artistic expression.
Website: East Side Gallery
3. Checkpoint Charlie Museum (Mauermuseum)
Location: Friedrichstrasse 43-45, Berlin
Description: This museum, located near the famous Checkpoint Charlie border crossing, offers exhibits on the history of the Berlin Wall, escape attempts, and life in divided Germany. It provides a comprehensive look at the Cold War era.
Website: Checkpoint Charlie Museum
4. Berlin Wall Trail (Berliner Mauerweg)
Location: Various locations around Berlin
Description: The Berlin Wall Trail is a cycling and walking path that traces the former route of the Wall. Along the trail, you will find information panels, memorials, and remnants of the Wall, offering an immersive way to explore its history.
Website: Berlin Wall Trail
5. Topography of Terror
Location: Niederkirchnerstrasse 8, Berlin
Description: This documentation center is located on the site of the former Gestapo and SS headquarters. It features a permanent exhibition on the history of the Third Reich and the Berlin Wall, with an outdoor section that includes remains of the Wall.
Website: Topography of Terror
6. Palace of Tears (Tränenpalast)
Location: Friedrichstrasse Station, Berlin
Description: This former border crossing point for rail travelers between East and West Berlin is now a museum that provides insights into the personal stories and emotional experiences of those who passed through during the division.
Website: Palace of Tears
7. Allied Museum (AlliiertenMuseum)
Location: Clayallee 135, Berlin
Description: This museum focuses on the history of the Western Allies in Berlin from 1945 to 1994. It includes exhibits on the Berlin Airlift, the Cold War, and the Berlin Wall, highlighting the role of the Allies in the city's history.
Website: Allied Museum
8. DDR Museum
Location: Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 1, Berlin
Description: The DDR Museum offers an interactive experience of life in East Germany, including aspects related to the Berlin Wall. Visitors can explore everyday life, political systems, and border security measures of the GDR.
Website: DDR Museum
9. Stasi Museum
Location: Normannenstrasse 20, Berlin
Description: Located in the former headquarters of the East German secret police (Stasi), the museum provides insights into the surveillance and control mechanisms of the GDR, with exhibits on the Berlin Wall and escape attempts.
Website: Stasi Museum
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