History of Europe

Did people want the Berlin wall to be torn down?

The vast majority of East Germans wanted the Berlin Wall to be torn down. The wall had been constructed in 1961 by the East German government to prevent its citizens from escaping to the West. It was a symbol of the division of Germany and the oppression of the East German people.

There were a number of reasons why East Germans wanted the wall to be torn down. First, it was a barrier to freedom of movement. East Germans were not allowed to travel freely to the West, and even if they were able to get permission to travel, they were subject to strict controls. The wall made it difficult for East Germans to visit friends and family in the West, and it also made it difficult for them to travel for work or education.

Second, the wall was a symbol of the division of Germany. East Germans were proud to be German, and they wanted to be part of a unified Germany. The wall reminded them of the division of their country and the fact that they were second-class citizens.

Third, the wall was a source of economic hardship for East Germans. The East German economy was in decline, and the wall made it difficult for businesses to operate. The wall also made it difficult for East Germans to get jobs in the West, where the wages were higher.

In 1989, a series of peaceful demonstrations began in East Germany. These demonstrations were led by a group of young people who wanted to bring about change. The demonstrators called for the wall to be torn down and for the East German government to be reformed.

The East German government initially refused to listen to the demonstrators, but eventually, they were forced to give in. On November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall was opened. This event was a major turning point in the history of Germany. The wall's collapse led to the reunification of Germany and the end of the Cold War.