Fall of the wall Flashcards
Opening of the Iron Curtain
○ Hungary and Austria remove the sealed borders.
○ The opening of the Iron Curtain was popular in East Germany.
§ Tens of Thousands flocked to Hungary
○ GDR refugees were escaping through Prague to reach Hungary.
○ GDR refugees also stood inside the West German embassy.
○ The large movement was tolerated by Czechoslovakia initially.
§ The movement became difficult when it grew too large.
End of Honecker
○ Honecker became ill and stepped down to name Krenz as the leader.
○ Many elites disliked Honecker’s incompetence and wanted a “biological solution”.
○ Krenz promised reforms but people saw him as a disciple of Honecker.
§ Protests demanded his resignation continued.
○ November 1: Krenz authorized the reopening of the border with Czechoslovakia which had been sealed to prevent East Germans to flee to West Germany.
§ November 4: Lead to the Alexander Platz demonstrations.
□ The largest gathering and demonstration in East Germany.
○ Krenz approved the resignation of Prime minister and two thirds of the Politburo.
New East German Immigration Policy
○ It stipulated that East Germans could apply for permission to travel abroad.
○ Krenz decided on November 9 that refugees would be allowed to exit directly through crossing points in East Germany and West German including Berlin.
