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The Arrival
In late April, Soviet Union soldiers reach Berlin in the final days of WWII with intentions to capture the city. That being said, the Soviet occupation of Berlin alludes to the future events of the Berlin Wall, as tensions are rising amongst Stalin and his forces, and those of Berlin. -
The Fall
Nazi Germany forces capitulate, citing the end of WWII in Europe. Significance: Germany is at a low due to their loss, therefore vulnerable to outside forces. Due to the events of WWII, animosity amongst powers is present. The Soviet Union fears the country of Germany and believes that Americans are imperialist, imposing their capitalist ways. Thus, building tension -
PotsDAM
During the Potsdam Conference, Joesph Stalin, Winston Churchill, and Harry S. Truman met in order to draw up plans for Germany's fate after war and further actions to be made after war. Germany was divided into four sectors of occupation, for the countries of France, Great Britain, USA, and USSR. These countries were to oversee the development of each area they were occupying post war.
Importance: with the occupation of four nations, it only makes sense for there to be a power struggle -
Isolation
Due to tensions in the Cold War with the USA, Stalin imposes the Berlin Blockade, as he takes over Eastern Europe. The Soviet Union cuts off all land and water transit routes between the city and West Germany to prevent their influence, and is slowly starving the city to death. Thus, ally forces begin the Berlin Airlift, supplying the city by aircraft, dropping necessities to life to the people. Significance: Stalin is simply letting the city vanquish because he has the power to do so -
Let the Government Be Painted Red
In the East sector, the Soviets force the Berlin city council out of the Red City Hall. Furthermore, the communists split their zone of Berlin into two, enlisting their own civil officers to administer the law to each area, under the occupation of USSR. Significance: The soviets are rapidly gaining more power in the city, imposing their rules and regulations amongst civilians. These East Berliners have nowhere else to go due to the blockade and are forced to conform to Stalin -
Got Me Lifted
After 11 months, the Soviet Union lifts the blockade against West Berlin, having been broken by a US-British airlift. Thus, supplies can now reach to the city via land and air. However, soviet influence still maintains in the area. Significance: cites the end of an early crisis in the Cold War, however, tensions still remain. -
Its Official!
The creation of the Federal Republic of Germany is founded, with its capital being the city of Bonn Significance: The Western zones are unified and on their way to becoming a self reliant area, while Eastern Germany straggles behind. This imbalance of quality of life and power once again creates further tensions amongst powers, and causes East Berliners to want to go West -
Its Official 2.0!
Following Western Germany, the Eastern side creates the German Democratic Republic, with East Berlin being its capital city. Significance: As explained in the creation of the Federal Republic of Germany event. -
I'm Not Having It
a rise in rebellion occurs in the city as the Uprising of 1953 in "East Germany" begins. Workers all over the area revolted, to demand better working and living conditions for them and their families, along with calling for free elections and unification. In response, the GDR and with the help of the Soviet Union, brutally crushed the revolt. Significance: Eastern Germans are stripped from their own individual freedom, only causing more distaste for Communist forces -
Leaving the Nest
Western Germany is proclaimed a sovereign state. That being said, the allies cease their occupation of the area. The Eastern portion is still occupied by the Soviet Union during this time. Significance: Once again, West Germany is advancing much quicker than East Germany, as it is independently functioning. This causes East Germans to want to migrate West in order to escape the conditions they are living in -
THE WALL
As the German Democratic Republic (GDR) enlists Walter Ulbricht as its head, Ulbricht orders the construction of the Berlin Wall in order to stop the high numbers of individuals leaving GDR. German troops and workers begin to put up barbed wire fences and barriers to divide Berlin, making East Berlin inescapable. Significance: The GDR knew they were losing influence amongst their citizens, as they were forced to be under their control. This resorted to the wall to instill dominance -
Can we be Civil?
The Four Power Agreement between the USA, UK, France, East, and West Germany, made it so that those in the West could visit those in the East, and vice versa. Significance: With this agreement, cites the gradual take down of the Berlin wall after ten years. Now that citizens can travel in and out of the wall, only causes a ripple effect, foreshadowing the take down of the wall -
Changes in Power
During the this time, The GDR is forced to find a new head for its government, as Ulbricht passes away in early August. Willi Stoph then takes control for three years, yet, was replaced by Erich Honecker. It was then Honecker's job to further the construction of the wall. Significance: Honestly this is event is added so that the timeline flows better and so that the viewer is aware as to who is in charge for how many years. -
Reagan Influence
This event cites Ronald Reagan's first visit to Berlin. Here, Reagan expresses his opposition for the wall and the actions of the Soviet Union and GDR. To express his distaste, he describes the wall as "bleak and brutal" as it strips away the independence of the people who are affected (Reagan). Significance: Reagan and his administration urge the termination of the Berlin Wall. His first appearance in the city gets the ball rolling for future years to finally end the confrontation. -
Guess who's back?
Ronald Reagan returns back to Berlin for a second time in order to urge the fall of the Berlin wall. In front of the Brandenburg Gate, Reagan confronts the current Soviet Union leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, famously demanding him to, "Tear down this wall!" Significance: It is apparent that the Berlin Wall is coming to an end with the urgence of doing so intensifies. -
Enough is Enough
The call to reform East German's government increased dramatically, causing anti-government outbursts from the public in Dresden, Leipzig, and East Berlin. These individuals demanded reforms and resignations of Erich Honecker and the government, which eventually became true. Significance: The events depict the desire to end the suffering of those who were affected directly by the Wall. Finally, after decades, the GDR is slowly crumbling, along with Soviet influence -
May We Never Meet Again
Erich Honecker and the German Democratic Government are forced to resign their positions, citing the collapse of the administration -
My Bad?
During an evening news conference, an East German Government official announced that the citizens of the GDR would have the ability to travel outside of the barrier without restrictions was to be imposed immediately. However, this announcement was not supposed to be brought to light until the 10th. Due to the mistake, border officials were swarmed with mobs of East Berliners who wanted to crossover to the West immediately. -
Aftermath
Once the dust had settled, artists from all over gathered to create the "East Side Gallery" on a portion of the Berlin Wall 1.3 km long, running along the East train station to the Oberbaum Bridge. Significance: the Berlin Wall symbolized suffrage amongst the people of the city and East Germany. with the addition of a mural being made from artists all over the world, only shows the unification the area had finally received after years of mistreatment and imprisonment of the wall.
