Jaimielee R.
Yelp
Berlin: A history
Founded in the 13th century, Berlin is rich in history. Not without its problems, this city has experienced many historical movements that have not only formed Berlin but the rest of the world.
Berlin grew from the nearby cities of Berlin and Cölln, which expanded rapidly throughout the Middle Ages. In 1709 King Friedrich I declared the unification of the five towns of Berlin, Cölln, Friedrichswerder, Dorotheenstadt, and Friedrichstadt to form the capital and royal residence of Berlin.
From 1740, Berlin developed into a centre of the Enlightenment, establishing itself at the forefront of European culture, a reputation it still enjoys today. Under the rule of Friedrich the Great, some of Berlin's most well-known monuments were constructed. These include St Hedwig's Cathedral, Prinz-Heinrich-Palais (now Humboldt University) and The Opera Palace. In 1861, the city expanded further with the incorporation of the suburbs Wedding, Gesundbrunnen, Moabit, Chalottenburg, Schöneberg and Rixdorf. In 1871 Berlin was named as capital of the German Reich, becoming the empire's political, economic, and scientific hub.
The 20th century saw the outbreak of the First World War, and Germany's defeat meant the city found it increasingly difficult to feed its people, leading to massive strikes. Kaiser Wilhelm II was eventually ousted, leading to the founding of the Weimar Republic in 1918. This period promised to bring new freedoms and liberties, but was plagued by political and economic instability. Then, during the 'Golden Twenties', Berliners responded in true Berlin style, with cabaret and jazz dominating entertainment in the city. Pleasure Pits were dotted all over, turning the metropolis of Berlin into a 'sextropolis'.
Unfortunately, this era of uncertainty paved the way for Hitler and the Nazi Party. The German people had had enough of poverty and squalor and craved stability. Hitler rose through the ranks of politics at an incredible pace. Appointed Chancellor in 1933, he fused the offices of President and Chancellor, gaining absolute power and becoming Führer of the Third Reich. Home to the Headquarters of the Nazi Party, Berlin was the focal point of Allied attacks on Germany, which resulted in much of the city being destroyed. The wide-spread reconstruction shaped the landscape of the city we recognise today.
After the War, Berlin, along with the rest of Germany, was divided into four occupation zones. These were controlled by the USSR, Britain, the USA and France. Tensions quickly emerged between the Western Allies and the Soviets regarding the management of the German economy. These disagreements came to a head in June 1948, when the Allies introduced a new currency - the Deutschmark. Viewing this as a breach of the Potsdam Agreement, which stipulated that Germany be treated as one economic zone, the Soviets responded by adopting the Ostmark. Separation between the two states became official in 1949. The Western Zones formed the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) with Bonn as its capital, and the East became the German Democratic Republic (GDR), whose capital was East Berlin.
The West flourished under the leadership of Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, with the progressive economic policies of Ludwig Erhard paving the way for the Wirtschaftswunder (economic miracle) of the 1950s and 60s. Meanwhile, the East was crippled by oppressive Communist rule. The economy was stagnant and the people lived under constant surveillance by the Ministry for State Security (Staatsicherheitspolizei or Stasi). The low quality of life drove many East Berliners to seek refuge in the West. To halt the exodus, the East erected the infamous Berlin Wall.
A period of left-wing rebellion and protest erupted in 1968, led mainly by university students and the Rote Armee Faktion (Red Army Faction). Although things had settled down by 1970, some lasting changes were achieved: universities were modernised, the student body was politicised and the Green Party was founded.
By the 1980s, change was in the air, but what came next surprised the world. The Wende (the fall of communism) was gradual, eventually climaxing in the collapse of the Berlin Wall on 9th November 1989. Berlin became a separate city-state; however, economic reform took place in the mid-1990s which led to the signing of the Unification Treaty. In 1991, it was decided that Berlin would once again become the capital and home to the German government.
A stroll in Berlin feels like a walk through history. Its tumultuous past and varied cultural tapestry has made Berlin the buzzing capital you are visiting today.
