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

1
Q

Which was the first sign of protest?

A

Small rallies beginning in Leipzig outside St Nikolai Church

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2
Q

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

A

20,000

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3
Q

Why were the protests outside St Nikolai Church not crushed?

A

Because of the removal of the Brezhnev Doctrine

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4
Q

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

A

30,000

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5
Q

In what month of 1989 was the Tiananmen Massacre?

A

June

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6
Q

What was the Tiananmen Massacre?

A

A student led demonstration calling for democracy

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7
Q

What was used to stop the Tiananmen Massacre?

A

The Chinese Military

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8
Q

What did Honecker think of the Tiananmen Massacre?

A

Approved of the use of force which scared many GDR people

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9
Q

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

A

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

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10
Q

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

A

‘New Forum’

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11
Q

Who did ‘New Forum’ join together with?

A

‘Democracy Now’

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12
Q

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

A

Reform, not reunification

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13
Q

When did Gorbachov visit the East in 1989 and why?

A

October - GDR’s 40th anniversary celebrations

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14
Q

How did Gorbachov undermine Honecker in his 1989 visit?

A

Urged Honecker to implement reform but Honecker refused

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15
Q

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

A

‘Monday Demonstrations’ in Leipzig

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16
Q

How many people attended the ‘Monday Demonstrations’?

A

70,000

17
Q

What 2 things did the ‘Monday Demonstrations’ demand?

A
  • Freedom of speech

- Travel

18
Q

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

A

Extra doctors and blood supplies ordered to Leipzig

19
Q

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

A

The willingness of his military to use force

20
Q

When was Honecker replaced as General Secretary?

A

October

21
Q

Who replaced Honecker?

A

Krenz

22
Q

How was Krenz similar to Honecker?

A

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

23
Q

What 3 things did Krenz do to try and calm protests

A
  • Relaxed travel restrictions
  • Ejected many from the party
  • Stepped up his propaganda campaign against the FRG
24
Q

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

A

1 million strong demonstrations

25
Q

What was internationally significant about the first protest under Krenz?

A

Broadcast live on TV

26
Q

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

A

They began to call for reunification

27
Q

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

A

Because Czechoslovakia were concerned that instability would spread there

28
Q

Who was the man in charge of the media?

A

Schabowski

29
Q

What did Schabowski do that was so catastrophic?

A

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

30
Q

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

A

The border guards were unwilling to use force to stop them

31
Q

On what date did Kohl announce his new plan?

A

28th Novemeber

32
Q

What was Kohl’s plan called?

A

The Ten-Point-Plan

33
Q

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

A

A federal system for the whole of Germany

34
Q

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

A

December

35
Q

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

A
  • Party elections
  • Media free from government control
  • Liberalisation of control on the economy
36
Q

Why did divisions form in the SED?

A

Ober whether they should reunite or not

37
Q

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

A

‘Round Table talks’

38
Q

What did some GDR groups want like ‘Democracy Now’?

A

A neutral, democratic country alongside the FRG

39
Q

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

A

Because of popular support for reunification