Several factors led to the mass exodus of people from East Germany. The major cause was the dwindling economic situation in East Germany. Economic activity between East Germany and the Soviet Union was compromised by competition from the four dragons (Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, and Hong Kong). As the economy of East Germany dwindled the superior economy of West Germany gave an example of the possible benefits of a more democratic system.
Another cause was the lack of nationalism in East Germany. The people of East Germany felt alienated from their government because they had no power to control it. They felt that the GDR (German Democratic Republic) was a subject of the Soviet Union rather than their home. Elections in East Germany consisted of one Communist candidate with no opposition. Soviet troops often flooded the streets because East Germany was Communism's front line against NATO. Even the schools required the people to learn Russian.
Further problems arose when reform-minded Hungary opened their own borders to Austria for East German refugees on September 10, 1989. This opening of the borders with Austria resulted in Hungary being flooded with East Germans hoping to dodge the Berlin Wall. The absence of workers, doctors, and teachers further damaged the GDR's economy. This damage to their economy resulted in the GDR's enforcing border restrictions themselves. The opposing parties viewed these restrictions as a threat, which eventually led to the development of the New Forum. The New Forum was an alliance that encouraged people to voice their opinion on ways to reform government. Eager for reform, the people lost their fears and began to oppose Communism openly. Demonstrations reached their height at a celebration of the GDR's fortieth anniversary. To the surprise of Communist leaders, Gorbachev spoke of the need for reform and the end of Soviet intervention in East Germany. This placed Communist officials under extreme pressure to reform. It made them realize that change was becoming imminent. Reluctantly they began to recognize opposing views and allowed for them to be heard. This was a drastic change considering that just two months earlier criticism could not have been expressed. But these steps toward reform were not enough. The people of East Germany had tasted freedom and now they hungered for more. They placed even more pressure on the officials. In a desperate attempt to regain the trust of the people, government officials released all the people who had been arrested for illegal border crossing and demonstration.
Despite their attempts at reform, the new-found confidence of the people along with the desperate economic situation proved to be too much for the leaders. The opening of the Czechoslovakian border diminished the little authority they had left. On November 7, 1989, they announced their resignation in "the interest of society and of people" (Keithly, 174).
The new officials, recognizing the opposing parties, promised reforms including parliamentary representation, freedom of religion, and a market-orientated economy. A necessary step toward these reforms was taken on November 9 when the new government repealed the travel restrictions. The lifting of the restrictions allowed for free travel between East and West Germany. Within less than four days an estimated three million people visited West Berlin (Keithly, 181). Because the border crossings were insufficient in size, guards resorted to knocking holes through the wall. To the great pleasure of crowds a significant blow was dealt to the wall at Potsdamer Square, which was once the busiest travel circle in all of Europe (Keithly, 182).
The breaking down of the Berlin Wall was a revolution that had its roots back in the French Revolution. The French Revolution has had a lasting effects that show up today. During both revolutions, the fact that the good of the people should be placed in front of the good of the state emerged. People wanted to be independent rather than be under the thumb of a dictator or of the elites of a society. Also, with respect to the modern day revolution of Germany, the destruction of the Berlin Wall exposed the weakness of the political concept of Communism. Communism is an idea that is great in theory or in a utopia. In real life however, accepting the same things as your neighbor goes against human nature. Human beings are not perfect because humans want more, bigger, and better things than everybody else. Once the seed of Democracy has been planted, it must be allowed to grow and develop. The destruction of the Berlin Wall caused the disillusionment of the Warsaw Pact. In addition, the act of breaking down the wall eventually led to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Germany was about to be reunited after a fierce struggle for liberty. The people did not realize, however, that the wall was not the only obstacle in the way of reunification. Their greatest challenge was yet to come.
Back to Goodbye Germany, Hello Wall