1.4c How did events in 1989 lead to such a sudden opening of the Berlin wall?

Question 1

Which was the first sign of protest?

Answer 1

Small rallies beginning in Leipzig outside St Nikolai Church

Question 2

How many people were in attendance of the rallies outside St Nikolai Church?

Answer 2

20,000

Question 3

Why were the protests outside St Nikolai Church not crushed?

Answer 3

Because of the removal of the Brezhnev Doctrine

Question 4

How many people crossed into Austria when the border was opened?

Answer 4

30,000

Question 6

What was the Tiananmen Massacre?

Answer 6

A student led demonstration calling for democracy

Question 7

What was used to stop the Tiananmen Massacre?

Answer 7

The Chinese Military

Question 8

What did Honecker think of the Tiananmen Massacre?

Answer 8

Approved of the use of force which scared many GDR people

Question 9

Why was Honecker’s approval of the Tiananmen Massacre not much of a threat in reality?

Answer 9

He didn’t have the backing of the Soviet military anymore

Question 10

Which was the first opposition group created to oppose the SED in 1989?

Answer 10

‘New Forum’

Question 11

Who did ‘New Forum’ join together with?

Answer 11

‘Democracy Now’

Question 12

What did ‘New Forum’ and ‘Democracy Now’ call for?

Answer 12

Reform, not reunification

Question 13

When did Gorbachov visit the East in 1989 and why?

Answer 13

October - GDR’s 40th anniversary celebrations

Question 14

How did Gorbachov undermine Honecker in his 1989 visit?

Answer 14

Urged Honecker to implement reform but Honecker refused

Question 15

Immediately after Gorbachov’s visit in 1989, what protest took place?

Answer 15

‘Monday Demonstrations’ in Leipzig

Question 16

How many people attended the ‘Monday Demonstrations’?

Answer 16

70,000

Question 17

What 2 things did the ‘Monday Demonstrations’ demand?

Answer 17

• Freedom of speech

- Travel

Question 18

What act shows that the protestors were preparing for violent military action?

Answer 18

Extra doctors and blood supplies ordered to Leipzig

Question 19

What did Honecker begin to doubt after the ‘Monday Demonstrations’?

Answer 19

The willingness of his military to use force

Question 20

When was Honecker replaced as General Secretary?

Answer 20

October

Question 21

Who replaced Honecker?

Answer 21

Krenz

Question 22

How was Krenz similar to Honecker?

Answer 22

He also admired the Tiananmen Massacre and made limited attempts at reform

Question 23

What 3 things did Krenz do to try and calm protests

Answer 23

• Relaxed travel restrictions
• Ejected many from the party
• Stepped up his propaganda campaign against the FRG

Question 24

Which was the first protest of Krenz’s tenure? (known by its size)

Answer 24

1 million strong demonstrations

Question 25

What was internationally significant about the first protest under Krenz?

Answer 25

Broadcast live on TV

Question 26

What was the shift in the message of the protestors in November 1989?

Answer 26

They began to call for reunification

Question 27

Why was Krenz forced into allowing travel between East and West?

Answer 27

Because Czechoslovakia were concerned that instability would spread there

Question 28

Who was the man in charge of the media?

Answer 28

Schabowski

Question 29

What did Schabowski do that was so catastrophic?

Answer 29

Accidentally overlooked a paragraph in his speech that said the border would open in a month an gave the impression it was open immediately

Question 30

Why were people allowed to get through the border crossings after Schabowski's mistake?

Answer 30

The border guards were unwilling to use force to stop them

Question 31

On what date did Kohl announce his new plan?

Answer 31

28th Novemeber

Question 32

What was Kohl's plan called?

Answer 32

The Ten-Point-Plan

Question 33

What did Kohl's Ten-Point-Plan propose?

Answer 33

A federal system for the whole of Germany

Question 34

In what month did the SED renounce its claim to leadership?

Answer 34

December

Question 35

What 3 things did Krenz do to desperately try and save the GDR before it collapsed?

Answer 35

- Party elections - Media free from government control - Liberalisation of control on the economy

Question 36

Why did divisions form in the SED?

Answer 36

Ober whether they should reunite or not

Question 37

What was the name of the discussions between the FRG and popular GDR groups about reunification called?

Answer 37

'Round Table talks'

Question 38

What did some GDR groups want like 'Democracy Now'?

Answer 38

A neutral, democratic country alongside the FRG

Question 39

Why did reunification occur instead of a neutral, democratic country alongside the FRG?

Answer 39

Because of popular support for reunification