Communist Europe and the Fall of the Berlin Wall

Communist Europe: The Eastern Bloc

  • After WWII, Stalin established the Eastern Bloc as a protective zone of Soviet-controlled nations along Russia's western border.
  • Stalin's aim was to gradually weaken West Germany and eventually reunify Germany under Russian control.
  • The Eastern Bloc countries included:
    • Poland
    • Hungary
    • Romania
    • Bulgaria
  • U.S.S.R

Communist Control

  • East Germany had its own government but it was still controlled by Stalin.
  • Disobedience to Stalin resulted in severe punishment, including torture and death.
  • East Germany used all available resources, including the Secret Police, to prevent people from fleeing to the West.

Fleeing to the West

  • Life improved significantly in West Germany due to American dollars.
  • Life in East Germany worsened, leading many East Germans to seek escape to the West.
  • To prevent East Germans from fleeing, the Soviets built the Berlin Wall.

The Wall

  • During the wall's construction, Eastern Germany's army was ordered to shoot anyone attempting to escape.
  • The wall was heavily fortified with chain fences, concrete walls, landmines, guard towers, attack dogs, and automatic rifles.

Escape Attempts

  • Approximately 5,000 escape attempts to West Berlin occurred during the wall's existence, resulting in at least 200 deaths.
  • The East German government issued shooting orders to border guards, even targeting women and children.
  • Early escape attempts involved jumping from apartment windows, but apartments near the wall were soon demolished.

The Fall

  • The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 occurred after a series of events, similar to falling dominoes.
  • Barriers across Eastern Bloc countries began to be dismantled, creating a ripple effect.
  • Massive protests in East Berlin demanded the wall's removal.
  • Faced with huge crowds, border guards opened the gates, initiating a flood of people.

The Fall (Continued)

  • People used sledgehammers to tear down the wall in the weeks following the protests.
  • The official dismantling of the wall began on June 30, 1990.
  • On October 3, 1990, East and West Germany officially reunified under democratic rule.