How did events in 1989 lead to such a sudden opening of the Berlin Wall?

Question 1

What had Honecker proclaimed in 1989 about the wall?

Answer 1

He proclaimed that the Berlin Wall would stand for another 50 or even 100 years.

Question 2

What was project ‘High Tech Wall 2000’?

Answer 2

It planned to computerize the surveillance of the Wall and these plans were pursued with vigor throughout 1989 despite the spiraling costs and deficiencies of the technology.

Question 3

What was the objective of the project ‘High Tech Wall 2000’?

Answer 3

To prevent all escapes while minimizing the border deaths that damaged the GDR’s international reputation.

Question 4

Why this not very useful?

Answer 4

This is because East German’s in Hungary took advantage to the newly opened border with Austria to escape to the West

Question 5

What was this action called?

Answer 5

Holidaying

Question 6

When Honecker visited in October what did he urge Honecker to follow?

Answer 6

He urged him to follow the soviet example and allow controlled reform

Question 7

Did Honecker follow this? What happened?

Answer 7

He refused to compromise and his refusal mean he was finally removed from power

Question 8

Who was Honecker replaced by?

Answer 8

Politburo member Egon Krenz

Question 9

What did Egon Krenz introduce?

Answer 9

Limited reforms

Question 10

What started to change about Hungary?

Answer 10

They had began to introduce reforms such as allowing different political parties to stand in elections and participate in the government

Question 11

Why was this a major worry for the SED?

Answer 11

This is because Hungary shared a land border with the GDR and was meant to be a loyal ally. It was also a favoured holiday destination for East German’s who could now be exposed to and influenced by the changes and reforms being made in another communist state

Question 12

What happened on the 2nd May 1989?

Answer 12

Hungary began to dismantle its border with Austria. The SED didn’t anticipate that it’s citizens use this opportunity to travel via Hungary into Austria. Crossing this border was still illegal but no one was arrested.

Question 13

How many East German’s had done this by the summer?

Answer 13

30,000 and they claimed a WG passport when they entered Austria

Question 14

What happened when these EG’s got to west?

Answer 14

They were warmly received and often were given employment and housing. This encouraged more to emigrate

Question 15

What happened on the 11th of September in Hungary?

Answer 15

The Hungarian government lifted all restrictions on EG’s crossing the border

Question 16

What was different about Austria?

Answer 16

It was a neutral state as it wasn’t part of NATO or the Warsaw Pact

Question 17

How many people had left from January to November 1989?

Answer 17

Over 250,000 EG’s had left either illegally or with permission

Question 18

What was wrong with the people who were leaving?

Answer 18

They were exactly the people the GDR needed as they were well qualified, many in professions in demand such as medicine

Question 19

Who arrived in the GDR on the 6th October 1989?

Answer 19

Gorbachev

Question 20

What was the purpose of Gorbachev’s visit?

Answer 20

To somewhat reluctantly take part in the celebrations of the GDR’s 40th anniversary. He was given an enthusiastic welcome compared to Honecker

Question 21

What was the difference between Gorbachev and Honecker?

Answer 21

They contrasted each other as Gorbachev to the more fresh and dynamic approach whereas Honecker was more rigid and inflexible.

Question 22

What protest was taken out?

Answer 22

70,000 people gathered outside of Liepzig’s St Nikolai Church to protest against the SED. They were exceptionally careful to maintain a peaceful front as they didn’t doubt Honecker’s willingness to attack peaceful demonstrator’s

Question 23

What did this protest show?

Answer 23

Showed that the leadership within the SED was failing and it was apparent to many that the SED’s time was limited.

Question 24

What was seen with Honecker throughout October 1989?

Answer 24

That the 77-year-old displayed a complete incapability to control events

Question 25

What characteristics of Honecker caused the Politburo to be persuaded to remove him?

Answer 25

His hardline approach, yet failure to act decisively

Question 26

What was Honecker asked to his on the 17th October?

Answer 26

He was asked to resign which caught his surprise. He was forced to accept

Question 27

Who was Honecker’s successor?

Answer 27

Egon Krenz

Question 28

How many people attended a demonstration on the 4th of November?

Answer 28

One million people flooded into Alexanderplatz which was broadcasted on GDR television

Question 29

Two days later what happened?

Answer 29

500,000 people marched through Liepzig

Question 30

What did Krenz do between the 6th and 9th of November?

Answer 30

Promised passports and visa for all EG’s to allow the emigration to the west

Question 31

What happened on the morning of the 9th of November? (Before the wall)

Answer 31

The whole of the Politburo resigned which confused lots

Question 32

What did this show?

Answer 32

Showed the disintegration of the SED

Question 33

What happened on the evening of the 9th November?

Answer 33

An exhausted Gunter Schabowski was answering questions from foreign journalists at a press conference broadcast live on GDR television. He read from a piece of paper from Krenz that he hadn’t previously read and it laid out permission for private journeys abroad. He then overlooked the paragraph that announced the start date as 10th November and with a shrug of his shoulders he said it would be coming into force immediately.

Question 34

What was a result of this announcement?

Answer 34

Within an hour the headline had hit the FRG news that the GDR had opened its border and Berliners started to stream towards the wall from both sides

Question 35

What happened at the border crossings?

Answer 35

Border Guards were overwhelmed by crowds. The border troops were as surprised as everyone else and weren’t given any instructions about what to do.

Question 36

What was Checkpoint Charlie?

Answer 36

At 11pm the East German Commandant opened the barrier as he had made his own decision not to use force. This was the first crossing to be opened

Question 37

When were the other parts of the wall opened?

Answer 37

12.02pm was when the GDR police announced that all border crossings were open and the Berlin wall had fallen. People partied all night incleberation