by William Harrison
Following the Second World War, Germany was divided into two countries, West Germany (allied with the United States) and East Germany (under the influence of the Soviet Union (now Russia). In 1961, a concrete wall was built through the middle of the former German capital, dividing the western and eastern parts of the city. Those trying to climb the wall from East to West were arrested and sometimes shot dead; few, if any, tried to escape from West to East.
30 years ago, in 1989, revolutions in East Germany and other countries within the Soviet sphere, including Poland, Hungary and what is now the Czech republic, overthrew their governments and demanded freedom and democracy. In November, 1989, the East German authorities announced that they would no longer prevent people from visiting the West part of the city; in December, the gates were opened and in June 1990 demolition of the Wall began. Soon after, East and West were reunified as one country of Germany.
A few sections of the Wall, such as the one shown in the photograph above (taken from Niederkirchnerstrasse) remain today - as a reminder of Germany's divided past.
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| Photograph: William Harrison |
Following the Second World War, Germany was divided into two countries, West Germany (allied with the United States) and East Germany (under the influence of the Soviet Union (now Russia). In 1961, a concrete wall was built through the middle of the former German capital, dividing the western and eastern parts of the city. Those trying to climb the wall from East to West were arrested and sometimes shot dead; few, if any, tried to escape from West to East.
30 years ago, in 1989, revolutions in East Germany and other countries within the Soviet sphere, including Poland, Hungary and what is now the Czech republic, overthrew their governments and demanded freedom and democracy. In November, 1989, the East German authorities announced that they would no longer prevent people from visiting the West part of the city; in December, the gates were opened and in June 1990 demolition of the Wall began. Soon after, East and West were reunified as one country of Germany.
A few sections of the Wall, such as the one shown in the photograph above (taken from Niederkirchnerstrasse) remain today - as a reminder of Germany's divided past.
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