The History of the Berlin Wall

In 1985 Mikhail Gorbachev became the new leader of the Soviet Union. At the time, the economies throughout Russia and under its control were breaking down. They all had out dated machinery and produced little. Gorbachev decided he would change communism for the good, and end the Cold War. He first gave the people back their freedom of speech. Then he introduced the Sinatra Doctrine, it let the people under Russian control have the right to choose a new government for themselves. The East German government leaders opposed this change, as did those in Czechoslovakia. The borders of the countries held by the Soviets were also opened to those living in other Soviet held countries. Immigration started again, with people flooding out of East Germany.

In 1989 protests and rallies were held against the East German Government. The East Germans wanted their freedom, but their government rejected the Sinatra doctrine because they wanted to stay in power. However, eventually communist leaders began resigning all over the country because the Soviets wouldn’t support them and help them stop the rallies and protests.

On November 10, 1989 the Soviets opened the border in Berlin. That night East and West Berliners broke down parts of the wall with sledgehammers and chisels. People celebrated in Berlin. Families reunited and flags were waved, fireworks lit the night sky. Over the next few days tractors were brought in to take chunks out of the wall. However, some sections of the wall were left standing as a tribute to those who died trying to cross.

Although these changes all over Berlin and throughout Germany were for the good, they were extremely difficult to cope with. Two completely different peoples were suddenly brought together after 28 years of separation. Different currencies had to be exchanged, and the outdated equipment of the East couldn’t compete with the new machines in the West. Westerners were much more skilled at things, while the Easterners were quite useless. Although the difficulties of uniting the separate nations were immense, on October 3, 1990 Germany was finally united again. Elections were held and a new government was installed. Germany was now an independent nation.