The Fall of the Berlin Wall, Part 1

November 9th of this year marks the 20th year of the Berlin Wall falling. I had actually planned on going to Germany to witness this but some other things beyond my control prevented this. I actually wanted to go into Prague the day or so prior to the fall and take the train into Berlin (for reasons you may understand later). Maybe I’ll do it for the 25th anniversary.
My goal here is to try and write about this incredible event were a once divided nation became one again. Post WW II, Berlin was controlled by two different powers. West Berlin was controlled by the Allied Forces while East Berlins by the Soviets. The Berlin Wall construction began under the German (Deutsche) Democratic Republic or (DDR is the formal name for East Germany; West Germany was referred to as the Federal Republic of Germany, aka Bundesrepublik Deutschland, BRD) on August 16, 1961, but suggested first by the Soviet Union (under Stalin and Khrushchev). Going forward, I will use DDR and BDR to refer to the two countries. The Wall was not just one part, but two pieces and very intricately built around Berlin in particular(as you will see in the videos). The spaces between the wall (primary structure on the West, the secondary wall on the East) was referred to as “No Man’s Land” and “The Death Strip” (I believe the German word is Tudesstrifen) for those who would try to cross it. They built it because the East German citizens wanted to leave after the war. West Germany had some level of prosperity, but East Germany had their currency and economy was wrecked. Many skilled laborers and intellectuals left for West Germany in search of a better life. On any given day, up to 1500 East Germans would leave the Soviet occupied territory and go to Berlin (or somewhere in) West Germany. I wonder why. This is also the event that makes me believe Communism and Socialism do not work.
I decided to use the videos to explain this event, what lead up to it, and the after affects of it. I would not expect you to watch every video (in one sitting) but I think this is an important and very significant event to recall.
An intro to the Berlin Wall:


This gives you an idea and an intro to the significance and the Wall itself. Most have seen this structure from the West Berlin side. Now, we can see a detailed description from the Eastern part of the Wall. It is much more intricate than most even imagined. This includes me:


The East German Secret Police (the Stasi), was the operating arm where they oversaw its citizens. They controlled everything. If you would like a better view, the movie Das Leben Den Anderes (the Lives of Others) is a fine movie about one man's role inside of it. It was basically the KGB's cousin, acting in the same ways towards its citizens. I saw an article a while back that connected former imprisoned Nazi SS as member of the Stasi.


Portions of Ronald Reagan’s famous speech:


A pivotal moment in this story took place in Prague, 1989. Over 4000 East Germans took refuge at the West German Embassy in Prague. The DDR had the western part of the wall covered but ignored the East, which is where many Germans fled. They stayed there because they knew the East German could not come take them. The translation of what is said in the video. It was here that freedom became a reality. Their release was negotiated and were permitted to leave:
“"We're trying for a solution, but I don't want to give a statement now. First I'd like to speak to the Germans from the GDR who are currently at the embassy."

The matter became “WHEN” not “IF” the Berlin Wall would fall.


The day has come. The first video is in German (but does have subtitles/translations). I felt that this would have a better effect hearing it in German. It may sink in a bit more:




This is home video of the Wall being opened. This is actually happening on November 12, 1989 (remember, in Europe, the date comes before the month (for example, Jan 15, would be written 15/1/year). The street is full of people at 6:AM. You think this wasn’t important to them? This video was filmed over a 3 ½ hour period:


From those who live it: