1.4c How did events in 1989 lead to such a sudden opening of the Berlin wall? Flashcards
Which was the first sign of protest?
Small rallies beginning in Leipzig outside St Nikolai Church
How many people were in attendance of the rallies outside St Nikolai Church?
20,000
Why were the protests outside St Nikolai Church not crushed?
Because of the removal of the Brezhnev Doctrine
How many people crossed into Austria when the border was opened?
30,000
In what month of 1989 was the Tiananmen Massacre?
June
What was the Tiananmen Massacre?
A student led demonstration calling for democracy
What was used to stop the Tiananmen Massacre?
The Chinese Military
What did Honecker think of the Tiananmen Massacre?
Approved of the use of force which scared many GDR people
Why was Honecker’s approval of the Tiananmen Massacre not much of a threat in reality?
He didn’t have the backing of the Soviet military anymore
Which was the first opposition group created to oppose the SED in 1989?
‘New Forum’
Who did ‘New Forum’ join together with?
‘Democracy Now’
What did ‘New Forum’ and ‘Democracy Now’ call for?
Reform, not reunification
When did Gorbachov visit the East in 1989 and why?
October - GDR’s 40th anniversary celebrations
How did Gorbachov undermine Honecker in his 1989 visit?
Urged Honecker to implement reform but Honecker refused
Immediately after Gorbachov’s visit in 1989, what protest took place?
‘Monday Demonstrations’ in Leipzig
How many people attended the ‘Monday Demonstrations’?
70,000
What 2 things did the ‘Monday Demonstrations’ demand?
- Freedom of speech
- Travel
What act shows that the protestors were preparing for violent military action?
Extra doctors and blood supplies ordered to Leipzig
What did Honecker begin to doubt after the ‘Monday Demonstrations’?
The willingness of his military to use force
When was Honecker replaced as General Secretary?
October
Who replaced Honecker?
Krenz
How was Krenz similar to Honecker?
He also admired the Tiananmen Massacre and made limited attempts at reform
What 3 things did Krenz do to try and calm protests
- Relaxed travel restrictions
- Ejected many from the party
- Stepped up his propaganda campaign against the FRG
Which was the first protest of Krenz’s tenure? (known by its size)
1 million strong demonstrations
What was internationally significant about the first protest under Krenz?
Broadcast live on TV
What was the shift in the message of the protestors in November 1989?
They began to call for reunification
Why was Krenz forced into allowing travel between East and West?
Because Czechoslovakia were concerned that instability would spread there
Who was the man in charge of the media?
Schabowski
What did Schabowski do that was so catastrophic?
Accidentally overlooked a paragraph in his speech that said the border would open in a month an gave the impression it was open immediately
Why were people allowed to get through the border crossings after Schabowski’s mistake?
The border guards were unwilling to use force to stop them
On what date did Kohl announce his new plan?
28th Novemeber
What was Kohl’s plan called?
The Ten-Point-Plan
What did Kohl’s Ten-Point-Plan propose?
A federal system for the whole of Germany
In what month did the SED renounce its claim to leadership?
December
What 3 things did Krenz do to desperately try and save the GDR before it collapsed?
- Party elections
- Media free from government control
- Liberalisation of control on the economy
Why did divisions form in the SED?
Ober whether they should reunite or not
What was the name of the discussions between the FRG and popular GDR groups about reunification called?
‘Round Table talks’
What did some GDR groups want like ‘Democracy Now’?
A neutral, democratic country alongside the FRG
Why did reunification occur instead of a neutral, democratic country alongside the FRG?
Because of popular support for reunification
