Study of the Domain
The Berlin Wall, erected by the German Democratic Republic (GDR) on August 13, 1961, was a powerful symbol of the Cold War, dividing Berlin into East and West for nearly three decades. In the aftermath of World War II, Germany was split into two states: the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) and the German Democratic Republic (East Germany). West Germany aligned with the Western Bloc and prospered, while East Germany, under Soviet influence, struggled with economic hardships and political repression. During the 1950s, millions of East Germans fled to West Germany through Berlin, threatening the stability of the GDR. To stop this flow of refugees, the GDR, with Soviet backing, constructed the Berlin Wall, initially composed of barbed wire and concrete blocks, later fortified with guard towers, anti-vehicle trenches, and a "death strip."
The Berlin Wall not only divided families and friends but also became a potent symbol of Cold War division. While West Berliners enjoyed relative freedom and prosperity, East Berliners lived under stringent restrictions and surveillance by the Stasi. Despite the oppressive environment, numerous daring escape attempts were made, some successful and many tragic. The Wall stood as a constant reminder of the broader struggle between democracy and communism.
The 1980s brought significant changes. The Soviet Union, under Mikhail Gorbachev, implemented policies of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring), leading to a relaxation of Soviet control over Eastern Europe. In East Germany, mounting public unrest and a desire for greater freedom culminated in mass protests. On November 9, 1989, amid mounting pressure and confusion over a new travel policy, East German authorities opened the border. Jubilant crowds from both sides converged on the Wall, leading to its spontaneous dismantling. The fall of the Berlin Wall marked the beginning of the end for the GDR and paved the way for German reunification in 1990.
The Berlin Wall remains one of the most enduring symbols of the Cold War era. It represents not only the physical and ideological divide of a city and a nation but also the broader struggle for freedom and unity in the face of oppression. Its fall is celebrated as a triumph of the human spirit. The Wall's legacy is preserved through artifacts and memorials. Fragments of the Wall are displayed globally, symbolizing hope and resilience. In Berlin, sections of the Wall, like the East Side Gallery, have been transformed into vibrant open-air art galleries, inspiring artists worldwide. The Berlin Wall Memorial at Bernauer Strasse offers a comprehensive historical account, including original remnants and border fortifications. Objects associated with the Wall, from guard towers to personal items of escapees, are exhibited in museums, connecting people to stories of courage and hardship. The Wall's story and its implications for freedom and human rights continue to inspire educational initiatives, documentaries, books, and films, ensuring that the lessons of this pivotal period in history are not forgotten.
Items
Since the domain that we have decided to study has such a wide possibilities of interpretations the items chosen had to reflect this aspect. We have collected 10 items that connect to the Berlin Wall in many different ways.
Heroes - David Bowie
In 1987, David Bowie played a concert near the Reichstag in West Berlin, a stone’s throw away from the Berlin Wall. It was a concert that many Berliners of the border believe helped harden people’s resolve to bring down the hated barrier that had kept families apart for forty years.
Leap into freedom
This East German soldier, whose leap over a barbed wire barricade between East and West Berlin symbolized the repressions of the Berlin Wall, never was named. Now, two years later, he has been identified and traced to a village in West Germany where he lives with his wife and 11-month-old son.
Brochure "A Wall of Peace"
Brochure “A Wall of Peace”, published by the Political Administration of the Berlin City Command with articles on the correctness and significance of the “anti-fascist protective wall” for socialism in the GDR, 64 pages.
East Side Gallery
The East Side Gallery memorial in Berlin is a permanent open-air gallery on the longest surviving section of the Berlin Wall in Mühlenstraße between the Berlin Ostbahnhof and the Oberbaumbrücke along the Spree.
Il Tunnel Della Libertà
Domenico Sesta, in 1961, a few days after the construction of the Berlin Wall, with his friend Gigi began digging a tunnel to connect East and West by eluding the GDR border guards.
Goodbye Lenin!
In 1990, to protect his fragile mother from a fatal shock after a long coma, a young man must keep her from learning that her beloved nation of East Germany as she knew it has disappeared.
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