Uprisings
In 1978, a Polish cardinal became the head of the Catholic church as Pope John Paul II. A year later, in 1979, he visits Poland. Greeted by cheering crowds, he gives them hope that they can overcome their communist regime. This visit strengthened the anti-communist groups in Poland and made the rulers in Poland and in the other Soviet Bloc countries uneasy.
All around Eastern Europe, people are becoming more and more dissatisfied with the Communist government. In 1980, an illegal ship workers union is formed, called Solidarity. Led by Lech Walesa, Solidarity quickly becomes very popular in Poland. Solidarity starts leading mass strikes against the government, which the communist government puts down with military force. Martial law is declared and a general becomes head of state.
In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev comes to power as the head of the Soviet Union. He believes that in order for the communist Soviet Union to survive, it has to open up and reform itself. Therefore, he loosens strict regulations all over the USSR and engages in more talks and negotiations with the West. He is much more popular with the people than most of his predecessors.
In 1987, US president Ronald Reagan travels to West Berlin, and famously states “Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this Wall.” All over East Germany, inspired by Reagan, Gorbachev, the Pope, and Solidarity, mass protests occur, with frequent shouts of “Wir sind das Volk! Wir sind das Volk!” (We are the people! We are the people!)
In 1978, a Polish cardinal became the head of the Catholic church as Pope John Paul II. A year later, in 1979, he visits Poland. Greeted by cheering crowds, he gives them hope that they can overcome their communist regime. This visit strengthened the anti-communist groups in Poland and made the rulers in Poland and in the other Soviet Bloc countries uneasy.
All around Eastern Europe, people are becoming more and more dissatisfied with the Communist government. In 1980, an illegal ship workers union is formed, called Solidarity. Led by Lech Walesa, Solidarity quickly becomes very popular in Poland. Solidarity starts leading mass strikes against the government, which the communist government puts down with military force. Martial law is declared and a general becomes head of state.
In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev comes to power as the head of the Soviet Union. He believes that in order for the communist Soviet Union to survive, it has to open up and reform itself. Therefore, he loosens strict regulations all over the USSR and engages in more talks and negotiations with the West. He is much more popular with the people than most of his predecessors.
In 1987, US president Ronald Reagan travels to West Berlin, and famously states “Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this Wall.” All over East Germany, inspired by Reagan, Gorbachev, the Pope, and Solidarity, mass protests occur, with frequent shouts of “Wir sind das Volk! Wir sind das Volk!” (We are the people! We are the people!)
In Poland, 1988, Solidarity sets up roundtable negotiations with the Soviet Union. Soon after, freer elections are taking place for Poland’s leadership. Solidarity is expected to win the elections.
In the GDR though, aged leader Erich Honecker still does not want to reform strict regulations. Gorbachev, arriving to enthusiastic shouts of “Gorbi!” in East Berlin, addresses Honecker by saying “Those are in danger who do not react to life”.
In May 1989, a reforming Hungary opens up its border with Austria. Citizens of the German Democratic Republic are then able to vacation to Hungary, travel to Austria, and escape into the Federal Republic of Germany, which shares a border with Austria. East Germans surge into Hungary and take refuge at West German embassies to wait for West German travel papers. Some are forced back into East Germany by police, but many are able to escape into the Federal Republic of Germany.
In autumn of 1989 in the city of Leipzig, East Germany, people meet in churches and thousands take to the streets every Monday to protest the regime. They are undeterred by police who continuously arrest and beat them. Chanting “Wir sind das Volk!” they peacefully protest the Communist government, and hold mass prayers in St. Peters Church. These protests spread to other East German cities. The communist regime is shaken.
East German leader Erich Honecker still finds it fit to celebrate 40 years of the GDR with parades and parties, but many protests still occur. Soon after, he is kicked out of the GDR’s leadership and replaced with the slightly more reform-minded Egon Krenz, who frantically attempts to regain control over East Germany amid mass protests and strikes.
At a press conference on November 9, 1989, in the GDR, Italian journalist Riccardo Ehrmann asks GDR spokesperson Gunter Schabowski about new travel reforms. When asked, ill-prepared Schabowski mistakenly replies: ” we have decided today to implement a regulation that allows every citizen of the GDR to leave the GDR through any of the border crossings immediately, without delay.”
All over Germany and Europe, surprise turned to confusion and joy. The border was open?
At a press conference on November 9, 1989, in the GDR, Italian journalist Riccardo Ehrmann asks GDR spokesperson Gunter Schabowski about new travel reforms. When asked, ill-prepared Schabowski mistakenly replies: ” we have decided today to implement a regulation that allows every citizen of the GDR to leave the GDR through any of the border crossings immediately, without delay.”
All over Germany and Europe, surprise turned to confusion and joy. The border was open?