Por que o Muro de Berlim foi erguido e por que caiu? | Podcast

Summary

This special edition of DW Magazine explores the Berlin Wall's history, marking its 35th anniversary of falling on November 9, 1989. The wall, erected in 1961, symbolized the Cold War division of Germany and the world. The script details the reasons behind its construction, the harsh measures taken to prevent escapes, and the eventual fall of the wall, largely triggered by a mistake in communication. The fall led to Germany's reunification in 1990, but it also highlights ongoing socio-economic disparities between the former East and West. The Wall’s legacy still impacts Germany today.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Berlin Wall separated East and West Berlin for 28 years, from 1961 to 1989, symbolizing the division between capitalism and communism during the Cold War.
• 😀 The Wall was built overnight on August 13, 1961, catching residents by surprise, as over a million people had already fled East Germany for better opportunities in the West.
• 😀 The construction of the Wall surrounded Berlin, and it was a massive structure with 300 observation towers, armed soldiers, and the infamous 'Death Strip' designed to prevent escapes.
• 😀 The Berlin Wall was 155 km long, cut through 193 streets, and crossed rivers and forests, making it a nearly insurmountable barrier.
• 😀 Thousands of people attempted to escape East Germany, with many using creative methods like tunnels, small boats, and even balloons, while others risked their lives crossing the Wall.
• 😀 The Wall had severe consequences, with over 140 deaths directly linked to escape attempts, and many more deaths occurred due to the harsh conditions in East Germany.
• 😀 The Wall became a symbol of the Cold War, dividing families, friends, and communities, but its fall marked the end of an era of division in Germany.
• 😀 On November 9, 1989, a mistake made by East German spokesperson Günter Schabowski during a press conference led to the unexpected opening of border posts, which ultimately resulted in the Wall falling.
• 😀 The fall of the Berlin Wall was influenced by popular dissatisfaction in Eastern Europe, Gorbachev's reforms, and pressure from civil rights movements in East Germany.
• 😀 Despite the fall of the Wall, divisions remain in modern Germany, with economic and social disparities between the former East and West, and a rise in populist politics, especially in the former East.
• 😀 November 9, 1989, holds significance in German history, as it marks the fall of the Wall, but it is also historically important for other events such as the abdication of Kaiser William I and the Night of the Broken Glass in 1938.

Q & A

What was the Berlin Wall, and why was it built?

The Berlin Wall was a barrier that divided Berlin into East and West for 28 years, from 1961 to 1989. It was built by East Germany to stop the mass exodus of people from East Germany to the more prosperous West, which was a direct result of the economic disparity between the capitalist West and the socialist East.

How did the Berlin Wall impact the lives of Berliners?

The Berlin Wall drastically altered the lives of Berliners, separating families, friends, and communities. People were no longer able to freely cross between East and West Berlin. Over time, the wall became a symbol of oppression, with many people risking their lives to escape from East to West Berlin.

What were the reasons for the construction of the Berlin Wall?

The Berlin Wall was constructed in response to the growing number of people leaving East Germany for West Berlin. The East German government sought to prevent the economic and political consequences of its citizens fleeing to the West, particularly given the economic boom in West Germany fueled by the Marshall Plan.

What was the 'Death Strip'?

The 'Death Strip' was the area between the Berlin Wall and the inner border of East Germany. It was heavily guarded with watchtowers, fences, searchlights, dogs, and mines, designed to prevent any escape attempts from East Berlin to West Berlin. Anyone attempting to cross was at great risk, and many people were shot or died in this area.

How did the Berlin Wall influence the Cold War?

The Berlin Wall became a powerful symbol of the Cold War, representing the division between the communist East and the capitalist West. It physically embodied the ideological battle between the Soviet Union and the United States, marking the border between the Eastern Bloc and the Western World.

What role did Mikhail Gorbachev play in the fall of the Berlin Wall?

Mikhail Gorbachev, the Soviet leader, introduced significant reforms with policies like 'glasnost' (openness) and 'perestroika' (restructuring). These reforms led to a relaxation of Soviet control over Eastern Europe, which encouraged democratic movements and protests. Gorbachev's leadership was crucial in creating an environment where the Berlin Wall could eventually fall.

What event triggered the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989?

The fall of the Berlin Wall was triggered by a miscommunication during a press conference on November 9, 1989. East German spokesman Günter Schabowski mistakenly announced that East Germans could travel freely to the West, causing thousands of Berliners to gather at border crossings. Without clear instructions, border guards opened the gates, and the Wall began to fall.

What were the consequences of the Berlin Wall's fall?

The fall of the Berlin Wall marked the beginning of the reunification of Germany. It led to the collapse of the East German government and the end of the Cold War. The reunification process began in earnest with the official merging of East and West Germany in 1990, although challenges related to economic disparities between the former East and West persisted.

Why is November 9 significant in German history beyond the fall of the Berlin Wall?

November 9 is a historically significant date in Germany for several reasons. In 1918, it marked the abdication of Kaiser William II, ending the German Empire. In 1923, Adolf Hitler attempted a coup on this day. In 1938, the Nazi regime orchestrated the violent 'Night of Broken Glass' (Kristallnacht), which targeted Jews. It is a date with both tragic and triumphant moments in German history.

What were the long-term social and economic impacts of the Berlin Wall on Germany?

Even after reunification, significant social, economic, and political differences remained between the former East and West Germany. Eastern Germany faced higher levels of dissatisfaction with political parties and struggles with economic transition. There were also disparities in income, employment, and wages, with the West generally enjoying better standards of living. Social and cultural divisions between urban and rural areas have also been a continuing challenge.