Fall of the Berlin Wall

What is the period of collapse 1989–90 known as?

The Peaceful Revolution or Die Wende (the turning point).

What did Honecker say in his January 1989 speech?

That the Berlin Wall would stand for another 50 or 100 years.

What was ‘Project High Tech Wall 2000’?

Honecker’s plan to computerise border surveillance to prevent escapes with fewer deaths.

When and why was the ‘shoot to kill’ order ended?

February 1989 after international outrage over the shooting of Chris Gueffroy.

When did protests begin in Leipzig and where were they held?

March 1989 at St. Nikolai Church.

How and when did the border start to open?

2 May 1989 – Hungary opened its border with Austria.

Give two key dates when GDR citizens began leaving before the Wall fell.

19 August 1989 (Pan-European Picnic); 11 September 1989 (Hungary removed restrictions on GDR citizens leaving).

How many people left the GDR before the Wall fell?

Around 250,000.

What was significant about people escaping through Hungary?

Mostly skilled workers left, worsening the economy and inspiring protests; pressure grew on the SED.

When were the local elections?

May 1989.

What was significant about the 1989 local elections?

Citizens monitored voting; evidence of major fraud triggered protests.

Give three new opposition groups formed in August–September 1989.

Democratic Awakening, Democracy Now, and New Forum (200,000 signatories); SDP founded October 1989.

Why were these new opposition groups significant?

Mobilised protestors, became symbolic rallying points, and applied political pressure on the SED.

What did the opposition groups issue on 2 October 1989?

A ‘Joint Declaration’ calling for democracy, free movement, freedom of association, end to censorship, and environmental reform

What regular protests began in Leipzig and when?

Monday Demonstrations at St. Nikolai Church began 25 September 1989.

How many people joined the Monday Demonstrations?

25 Sept – 5,000; 2 Oct – 20,000; 9 Oct – 70,000.

What was significant about the 9 October Leipzig protests?

Showed the regime wouldn’t crush demonstrations; encouraged further protests and weakened hardliners.

Why did Gorbachev visit the GDR in October 1989?

To attend 40th anniversary celebrations of the GDR.

What was significant about Gorbachev’s visit?

Crowds chanted for reform (“Gorby!”); 700 arrests; his call for reform undermined Honecker and split the SED.

How did Honecker respond to rising protests?

Refused negotiation; planned mass arrests and detention camps for 10,000 protestors.

When and why did Honecker resign as SED leader?

18 October 1989 – forced out by Politburo members Krenz, Mittag, and Schabowski.

Who replaced Honecker?

Egon Krenz.

What approach did Krenz take as leader?

Introduced limited reforms to preserve socialism; removed key hardliners; promised travel rights from 6 November.

When were the peak demonstrations and how large were they?

4 November 1989 – over 1 million in East Berlin and 500,000 in Leipzig.

What were protestors demanding by November 1989?

Free speech, free elections, free travel, and in some cases unification.

What evidence shows SED support collapsing in late 1989?

Mass exodus of party members and demonstrations by SED’s own base (8 November).

What mistake caused the fall of the Berlin Wall?

Schabowski’s press conference — he mistakenly announced immediate travel freedom without mentioning visa rules.

What date did the Berlin Wall fall?

9 November 1989.

How did border guards react to Schabowski’s announcement?

Confused and unprepared; ultimately opened the checkpoints and let crowds through.

What did the fall of the Berlin Wall not necessarily mean?

It didn’t automatically signal a desire for full unification.

What factors explain the fall of the Berlin Wall?

Mass emigration via Hungary; growing protests and opposition; influence of Gorbachev; failures of Honecker and the SED.