- He invented both the alcohol thermometer (1709) and the mercury thermometer (1714)
- The invention consisted of a glass tube with mercury inside, the temperature was able to be read by calibrated marks on the tube by the length of the mercury
- To increase the sensitivity of the thermometer, there is usually a "bulb" of mercury at the bottom of the tube, the top of the tube may be filled with nitrogen and is kept at a lower atmospheric pressure which is called the "vacuum"
- Mercury thermometers are still used today for meteorology purposes but have been banned in the medical feild and have been replaced by Galistan thermometers which is a liquid alloy of gallium, indium, and tin
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Presentation 5: Inventions and Industry during the 18th Century
Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit:
Presentation 2 - Poets and Writers in the 18th Century
Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock:
- He attended the Gymnasium in Quelinberg and in 1739 he attended the classical school of Schulpforta
- While attending this school he became intrigued with Greek and Latin versification, here he wrote some meritorious idylls and odes in German
- While still in school he drafted a plan for "Der Messias" which is one of his most famous peices of work
- After finishing school he went to University called Jena he later dropped out and joined a band of boys who contributed to Bremer Beiträge. During this period 3 cantos of Der Messias were anonymously published
After the death of his wife in 1758 Klopstocks poetry became vague and unitelligible - In 1773 he published the last 5 cantos of the Messias and then retired to Hamburg, Germany
- He is most known for his influence on Geothe, the Goettinger poets, and the Sturm and Drang movement.
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Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Why the EU will continue to be a pivotal organization for Germany in the 21st century
1.The EU allows people to live in other countries within the EU freely, this allows for people to move about freely, have jobs in other countries and a sustainable economy.
2.Germany is able to sell their goods to other countries in the EU free of taxes and terrifs.
3. The EU is a big protector of the environment, Germany benefits from this because they have a lot of land that is protected and that are considered National Parks.
4. All countries within the EU use the Euro as its currency, which is good for Germany because when German citizens are travelling they dont have to worry about exchanging currencies.
5. If Germany ever "falls" again as it had during WWII the EU will be able to support and help them.
6. Being in the EU helps all the countries remain peaceful with each other.
7. The EU aslo allows for Germany to remain a strong competitor in the world market.
8. The countries in the EU can work together to solve global issues.
9. Germany joining the EU kind of reassures their reputation for most countries who would "hate" Germany for things they have done in the past.
10. Since joining the EU Germany has flourished, they are now selling more products then importing products.
11. The EU is very protective of the environment, this helps Germany in producing more renewable resources.
12. Germany is no longer seen as a constant threat but rather a powerful ally to the countries in the EU.
2.Germany is able to sell their goods to other countries in the EU free of taxes and terrifs.
3. The EU is a big protector of the environment, Germany benefits from this because they have a lot of land that is protected and that are considered National Parks.
4. All countries within the EU use the Euro as its currency, which is good for Germany because when German citizens are travelling they dont have to worry about exchanging currencies.
5. If Germany ever "falls" again as it had during WWII the EU will be able to support and help them.
6. Being in the EU helps all the countries remain peaceful with each other.
7. The EU aslo allows for Germany to remain a strong competitor in the world market.
8. The countries in the EU can work together to solve global issues.
9. Germany joining the EU kind of reassures their reputation for most countries who would "hate" Germany for things they have done in the past.
10. Since joining the EU Germany has flourished, they are now selling more products then importing products.
11. The EU is very protective of the environment, this helps Germany in producing more renewable resources.
12. Germany is no longer seen as a constant threat but rather a powerful ally to the countries in the EU.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Radio station broadcasting in Germany
Is the mass media more globalized that the people who comsume it?
- I think that because of the mass media the people become more globalized, because they are hearing stuff about other countries.
What does it mean when patterns across the Western globe are so similar?
-The western countries are more interested in things that other countries are doing, and try to pick out the things they think are "good" about other countries and immitate it.
- I think that because of the mass media the people become more globalized, because they are hearing stuff about other countries.
What does it mean when patterns across the Western globe are so similar?
-The western countries are more interested in things that other countries are doing, and try to pick out the things they think are "good" about other countries and immitate it.
Where do cultural differences "survive" if media do not carry them - or do they?
- Cultural differences survive within the people who are willing to accept the differences
What can you say about Radio in Germany?
- It is very similar to American radio, it plays what is popular but has select radio stations that play other types of music.
German Print Media Reviewed
The newspapers in Germany, all have their own unique twist. I think they have many things in common with newspapers here in America, for example they cover many different topics. Although some of the newspapers may only cover the news in their general area, while others discuss the news in different countries as well. One of the main differences is that a some of these newpapers appear in many different countries not just in Germany.
Top 20 Radio Stations
After listening to each of the 20 stations for a few mins, I have come to the conclusion that they play a lot of techno based music. Probably for the discos that a lot of the younger people like to go to, to dance and have a good time. They also play a lot of American music, I think that American music has a big influence all over the world. Although many countries still play more traditional music, as we do here. I think the stations provide a wide variety of music to fit the personal prefernces of the citizens in Germany.
Radio Stations
Most: Bavaria has the most with 78 stations
Least: Bremen and Mexklenburg -Vorpommern are tied with the least and have 6 stations
Least: Bremen and Mexklenburg -Vorpommern are tied with the least and have 6 stations
Monday, October 18, 2010
Book Discussion
On Monday during class we discussed, the soldiers view towards authority. We also discussed how the novel is a core piece of German Literature. One topic we talked about was how intellectual the postman is, we had said that his job was not very intellectually challenging, and how he turns power hungry, so he goes in the military to get some form of authority. Germans either defy or embrace authority and the government. Many soldiers did not have an identity after the war, they were so young when they joined they only had the identity of childhood before the war, and after the war, returning home as men, they could only relate to the military. We discussed the "lost" generation, and how you can shape your identity whether it be through god, business, success, or something else. Many of the soldiers had a hard time shaping a new civillian identity after the war.
On Wednesday during class we had to take part in and watch or listen to other groups discussing the main points of chapter 9. I think this exercise gave us a deeper understanding of what was really going on in the book, an specifically the significant changes to the main character during the chapter.
On Wednesday during class we had to take part in and watch or listen to other groups discussing the main points of chapter 9. I think this exercise gave us a deeper understanding of what was really going on in the book, an specifically the significant changes to the main character during the chapter.
Top Three Blogs
1. Lexi Bell- Her blog is neat and organized. All entry's are posted, and she has posted good photos, and information.
Overall Appearance-25
Completeness-20
Solid blogging-20
Images-8
2. Sion Owen- His blog is also well organized, and He has all entry's posted. I however did not see any images.
Overall Appearance-22
Completeness-20
Solid Blogging-20
Images-0
3. Jessica Nikula-Her blog was inviting and fun to look at. She has all entry's posted, and lots of images.
Overall Appearance-30
Completeness-20
Solid Blogging-20
Images-10
Overall Appearance-25
Completeness-20
Solid blogging-20
Images-8
2. Sion Owen- His blog is also well organized, and He has all entry's posted. I however did not see any images.
Overall Appearance-22
Completeness-20
Solid Blogging-20
Images-0
3. Jessica Nikula-Her blog was inviting and fun to look at. She has all entry's posted, and lots of images.
Overall Appearance-30
Completeness-20
Solid Blogging-20
Images-10
Monday, September 27, 2010
Saarland
http://www.mapzones.org/maps/germany/Saarland_Germany.gif
Saarland was named because of the Saar River that flows through the small state.
Saarland was named because of the Saar River that flows through the small state.Saarland has a population of about 1 million people
The state was once an important cole mining center, although coal is now imported Saarland is now a place for techonology and mid-sized businesses.
Saarland borders both France and Luxembourg
The capital of Saarland is Saarbruecken
Saarland is one of the most densley wooded areas in Germany
Saarland is a little smaller than Rhode Island
The Saar territory was administered to France in the Treaty of Versailles
Saar territory was restored to German control in 1935 and given the name the Saarland Province, it later became a state of Germany in 1957
Trivia Questions...Group 2
Group 2 Trivia Questions
Life in Germany
1. When and where did German scientists recently discover a new species of ape?
2. What city is known as the salt capital of Germany? When did the salt production end?
3. What type of schooling is forbidden?
German History
1. What was the difference in population in Germany from 1939 to 1946?
2. In the early and middle eleventh century the Saxon kings were able to defeat which Germanic tribes thus strengthening the Elbe Saale frontier?
3. What Germanic tribe held onto their tradition of worshiping heathen gods the longest?
German Media
1. What date did the "television contract" (Fernsehvertrag) get signed?
2. The Deutsche Welle first began broadcasting is what year?
3. What German newsmagazine is on the rise while its predecessor is on the decline?
German States: Bavaria
1. Who are the three primary Germanic tribes to inhabit Bavaria in history?
2. Pope Benedict was born in town of Marktl Bavaria. Where did he live his adolescence?
3. The Hofbrauhaus is a famous beer hall in Munich Bavaria. What family still owns and operates this historic site?
German States: Schleswig-Holstein
1. Where was the chief base for the Third Reich's navy operations?
2. Schleswig-Holstein was part of Denmark until what year?
3. What is the world famous annual rock fest that takes place in Schleswig-Holstein?
German States: Westphalia
1. The Landtag of North Rhine Westphalia convenes to which city in Westphalia?
2. Where can the best soil in North Rhine-Westphalia be found? (specific place)
3. What are the names of the two broad trails, one a road the other a trading route in North Rhine-Westphalia that can be traced back to prehistoric times?
Berlin
1. What animal infestation did the U.S. Army eradicate in Berlin?
2. What is this and what does it stand for? (Picture Link: http://www.planetware.com/i/photo/berlin-d1434.jpg)
3. What was the full birth name of the mayor of West Berlin who was in office during JFK’s “Ich bin ein Berliner Speech?”
Final Category – Poetry & Cars
1. “At Bacharach on the Rhine, Lorelei is lingering” is the English translation of the first line of whose poem?
2. “I greet Berlin as three times
I band my head, three times
against one of the walls” is the English translation of whose stanza?
3. How does the BMW logo represent the company’s history?
Life in Germany
1. When and where did German scientists recently discover a new species of ape?
2. What city is known as the salt capital of Germany? When did the salt production end?
3. What type of schooling is forbidden?
German History
1. What was the difference in population in Germany from 1939 to 1946?
2. In the early and middle eleventh century the Saxon kings were able to defeat which Germanic tribes thus strengthening the Elbe Saale frontier?
3. What Germanic tribe held onto their tradition of worshiping heathen gods the longest?
German Media
1. What date did the "television contract" (Fernsehvertrag) get signed?
2. The Deutsche Welle first began broadcasting is what year?
3. What German newsmagazine is on the rise while its predecessor is on the decline?
German States: Bavaria
1. Who are the three primary Germanic tribes to inhabit Bavaria in history?
2. Pope Benedict was born in town of Marktl Bavaria. Where did he live his adolescence?
3. The Hofbrauhaus is a famous beer hall in Munich Bavaria. What family still owns and operates this historic site?
German States: Schleswig-Holstein
1. Where was the chief base for the Third Reich's navy operations?
2. Schleswig-Holstein was part of Denmark until what year?
3. What is the world famous annual rock fest that takes place in Schleswig-Holstein?
German States: Westphalia
1. The Landtag of North Rhine Westphalia convenes to which city in Westphalia?
2. Where can the best soil in North Rhine-Westphalia be found? (specific place)
3. What are the names of the two broad trails, one a road the other a trading route in North Rhine-Westphalia that can be traced back to prehistoric times?
Berlin
1. What animal infestation did the U.S. Army eradicate in Berlin?
2. What is this and what does it stand for? (Picture Link: http://www.planetware.com/i/photo/berlin-d1434.jpg)
3. What was the full birth name of the mayor of West Berlin who was in office during JFK’s “Ich bin ein Berliner Speech?”
Final Category – Poetry & Cars
1. “At Bacharach on the Rhine, Lorelei is lingering” is the English translation of the first line of whose poem?
2. “I greet Berlin as three times
I band my head, three times
against one of the walls” is the English translation of whose stanza?
3. How does the BMW logo represent the company’s history?
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Bayerische Wald
- The Bayerische Wald (Bavarian Forest) is the oldest national park in Germany
- This forest has been completely returned to nature.
- No humans live here
- There are wet valleys, streams, bogs, moors and meadows in this forest
- The Bavarian Forest is the largest contiguous area of protected forest in central Europe.
- Many rare species have made the Bayerisch Wald their home
lynx, black stork, eagle owl, and the three- toed woodpecker are a few examples
- There are 300km of walking trails
- 200km of cycling paths
- Mountain biking is all popular here
- This forest is not well known which makes it a great place to go to avoid tourism
- The Bayerische Wald contains Germany's cleanest air
- This forest use to be covered in glaciers
- Home to the tallest mountains in Bavaria
- One of the oldest hand- axes in Germany was found here around 80,000 years ago
Topics Of Berlin
Friday, September 10, 2010
16 German States
1. Schleswig-Holstein- This state is known for its flounder.
2. Hamburg- This state has one of the few families left in the quartiersmann business.
3. Bremen- This state has the largest port for imported goods.
4. Lower Saxony- hardest workers.
5. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania- This state is known for its dairy farming.
6. Berlin- This state has the oldest still operating sausage stand that has lasted before and after WWII
7. Saxony-Anhalt- Earliest risers in germany.
8. North Rhine-Westphalia-This state had the largest strike when Krupp threatened to shut down the steel mill at Duisburg-Rheinhausen.
9. Hesse- highest foreign population
10. Rhineland Palatinate- This state is known for its wine.
11. Saarland- This state is known for its connection to france and its french cuisine.
12. Baden-Wuerttemberg- This state is known for its woodwork.
13. Bavaria- This state is known for being electronically advanced.
14. Thuringia-This state is known for its art and glass blowing.
15. Saxony-microelectronics
16. Brandenburg- This state is home to the Hohe Flaeming nature reserve a 4 square mi of land protected for nature. People come to this state to see untouched nature.
2. Hamburg- This state has one of the few families left in the quartiersmann business.
3. Bremen- This state has the largest port for imported goods.
4. Lower Saxony- hardest workers.
5. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania- This state is known for its dairy farming.
6. Berlin- This state has the oldest still operating sausage stand that has lasted before and after WWII
7. Saxony-Anhalt- Earliest risers in germany.
8. North Rhine-Westphalia-This state had the largest strike when Krupp threatened to shut down the steel mill at Duisburg-Rheinhausen.
9. Hesse- highest foreign population
10. Rhineland Palatinate- This state is known for its wine.
11. Saarland- This state is known for its connection to france and its french cuisine.
12. Baden-Wuerttemberg- This state is known for its woodwork.
13. Bavaria- This state is known for being electronically advanced.
14. Thuringia-This state is known for its art and glass blowing.
15. Saxony-microelectronics
16. Brandenburg- This state is home to the Hohe Flaeming nature reserve a 4 square mi of land protected for nature. People come to this state to see untouched nature.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Wartburg Castle
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wartburg_Eisenach_DSCN3512.jpg
Wartburg Castle, which is near Eisenach was founded by Count Ludwig der Springer in 1067. The castle has been renovated several times in its existence, from 1952 to 1966 the East German Government restored it to what it looked like in the 16th centure. One of the many the renovations include the Luther room which was restored to its original floor and paneled walls.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Luther_Room-Wartburg-Eisenach.jpg
Wartburg has had enormous impact on German history. It is said to be one of the most important historical castles of Germany. A draw bridge is the only way a person may enter Wartburg Castle, this amazing castle was built on a hill above Eisenach. The Castle still has most of the original hallways and tapestries, paintings, and furniture. The interior of Wartburg Castle can only be viewed on guided tours. The Wartburg Castle is also famous for one of its most famous inhabitants, Martin Luther, he translated the New Testament of the bible from Latin to German in just 11 weeks. He also translated the Old Testament, later both his translated New and Old testaments were published and called the Luther Bible.
On October 18, 1817, the first Wartburg Festival took place, about 450 students, who were members of the first German fraternities, they came together to celebrate the victory over Napolean two years earlier, and to condemn conservatism and ask for German unity.
http://www.germanplaces.com/germany/wartburg-castle.html
Wartburg Castle, which is near Eisenach was founded by Count Ludwig der Springer in 1067. The castle has been renovated several times in its existence, from 1952 to 1966 the East German Government restored it to what it looked like in the 16th centure. One of the many the renovations include the Luther room which was restored to its original floor and paneled walls.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Luther_Room-Wartburg-Eisenach.jpg
Wartburg has had enormous impact on German history. It is said to be one of the most important historical castles of Germany. A draw bridge is the only way a person may enter Wartburg Castle, this amazing castle was built on a hill above Eisenach. The Castle still has most of the original hallways and tapestries, paintings, and furniture. The interior of Wartburg Castle can only be viewed on guided tours. The Wartburg Castle is also famous for one of its most famous inhabitants, Martin Luther, he translated the New Testament of the bible from Latin to German in just 11 weeks. He also translated the Old Testament, later both his translated New and Old testaments were published and called the Luther Bible.
On October 18, 1817, the first Wartburg Festival took place, about 450 students, who were members of the first German fraternities, they came together to celebrate the victory over Napolean two years earlier, and to condemn conservatism and ask for German unity.
http://www.germanplaces.com/germany/wartburg-castle.html
World Heritage List
Castles of Augustusburg and Falkenlust at Brühl
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/288
Collegiate Church, Castle, and Old Town of Quedlinburg
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/535
Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/532
Speyer Cathedral
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/168
Wartburg Castle
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/897
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/288
Collegiate Church, Castle, and Old Town of Quedlinburg
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/535
Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/532
Speyer Cathedral
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/168
Wartburg Castle
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/897
Berlin Wall Project
Berlin Wall Project
The Berlin Wall
How and Why the Berlin Wall was Built
How
The barrier was built by the German Democratic Republic (GDR, East Germany) starting August 13, 1961. In the city of Berlin the wall stretched 43 kilometers long and is also known as “The Death Strip”. The total wall, including the length outside of Berlin, was 140 Kilometers. The wall was 12 feet high with smooth pipe lining the top to make it more difficult to scale. It also included Barbed wire, dogs on leashes, beds of nails, 116 guard towers and, anti-vehicle trenches.
The Berlin Wall went through 4 stages of construction before it was torn down
1. Wire fence (1961)
2. Improved wire fence (1962–1965)
3. Concrete wall (1965–1975)
4. Concrete wall with trenches (Border Wall 75) (1975–1989)
Why
The life in West Germany was much better than in the East after 1948. West Germany, including West Berlin, had financial help through the Marshall Plan from the USA. In East Germany a communist system was established and many people had to suffer under repressions of the Communist party. The wall served to prevent the massive emigration
Rescue and Escape Stories
-The East German families of Peter Strelzyk and Günter Wetzel worked together to create a homemade hot-air balloon. Their wives stitched together curtains, bed-sheets, and random scraps to construct a 65-foot-wide, 75-foot-high balloon. On the night of September 15, 1979, the group launched their contraption, which had just enough fuel to make it over the wall and into the land of Coca Cola and fancy Levi jeans.
-Professional gangs built tunnels that would go under the Berlin Wall (and charged extortionate fees for refugees to use them). One tunnel began in an East Berlin graveyard, where “mourners” brought flowers to a grave and then disappeared underground. And they would have gotten away with it to until Communist officers discovered a baby carriage left by the “grave”. Sealing up the tunnel followed.
-Holger Bethke shot an arrow from an East German rooftop over the Berlin Wall and managed to rig a makeshift pulley system and swing himself to freedom. Years later he flew across the Wall in a micro light aircraft, that he decorated with Russian stars, to rescue his brother Egbert.
-The East German government issued shooting orders to border guards dealing with defectors, though such orders are not the same as "shoot to kill" orders. GDR officials denied issuing the latter. In an October 1973 order later discovered by researchers, guards were instructed that people attempting to cross the wall were criminals and needed to be shot: "Do not hesitate to use your firearm, not even when the border is breached in the company of women and children, which is a tactic the traitors have often used".
-Early successful escapes involved people jumping the initial barbed wire or leaping out of apartment windows along the line, but these ended as the wall was fortified. East German authorities no longer permitted apartments near the wall to be occupied, and any building near the wall had its windows boarded and later bricked up. On August 15, 1961, Conrad Schumann was the first East German border guard to escape by jumping the barbed wire to West Berlin.[57] On 22 August 1961 Ida Siekmann was the first casualty at the Berlin Wall: she died after she jumped out of her third floor apartment at 48 Bernauer Strasse.
-Another dramatic escape was carried out on April 1963 by Wolfgang Engels, a 19-year-old civilian employee of the Nationale Volksarmee. Engels stole a Soviet armored personnel carrier from a base where he was deployed and drove it right into the wall. He was fired at and seriously wounded by border guards. But a West German policeman intervened, firing his weapon at the East German border guards. The policeman removed Engels from the vehicle, which had become entangled in the barbed wire.
-East Germans successfully defected by a variety of methods: digging long tunnels under the wall, waiting for favorable winds and taking a hot air balloon, sliding along aerial wires, flying ultra lights, and in one instance, simply driving a sports car at full speed through the basic, initial fortifications. When metal beams were placed at checkpoints to prevent this kind of defection, up to four people (two in the front seats and possibly two in the boot) drove under the bar in a sports car that had been modified to allow the roof and windscreen to come away when it made contact with the beam. They lay flat and kept driving forward. The East Germans then built zigzagging roads at checkpoints. The sewer system predated the wall, and some people escaped through the sewers, in a number of cases with assistance from the German student group.
-If an escapee was wounded in a crossing attempt and lay on the death strip, no matter how close they were to the Western wall, Westerners could not intervene for fear of triggering engaging fire from the 'Grepos', the East Berlin border guards. The guards often let fugitives bleed to death in the middle of this ground, as in the most notorious failed attempt, that of Peter Fechter (aged 18). He was shot and bled to death, in full view of the Western media, on August 17, 1962. Fechter's death created negative publicity worldwide that led the leaders of East Berlin to place more restrictions on shooting in public places, and provide medical care for possible “would-be escapers”. The last person to be shot while trying to cross the border was Chris Gueffroy on February 6, 1989.
Why the Berlin Wall Came Down
Russia lost its strong hold on East Germany in the 1980's. Then, East German leadership lacked the power and ability to handle the growing discontent of its people.
The boarders between East and West Germany were opened on November 9, 1989 and the Berlin wall was torn down by the end of 1990. The collapse of the Berlin Wall contributed to the collapse of communism and ended the cold war.
Although the opening of the wall was seen as a good thing, fear and anxiety spread throughout the rest of Europe. The fears of reunifying East and West Germany would again lead to war as it had in 1939. Over the next year steps were taken to reunite Germany after 31 years of separation. In the following weeks of November 9, 1989 people from both sides gathered to watch bulldozers make new border crossings. Even though sections of the wall were dismantled or demolished on November 9, 1989, the official dismantling of the wall did not start until June 13, 1990 by the East German Military.
Facts About the Berlin Wall
• Around 5,000 people successfully escaped into West Berlin.
• The Berlin Wall was erected in the night.
• The second generation wall was built to prevent escape.
• There were over 190 people killed on the Berlin Wall.
• There were over 200 people injured by shooting from the Berlin Wall.
• Gunter Litwin was the first victim who was shot down by an East German border guard in Berlin on August 24, 1961.
• The Berlin Wall stopped East German laborers from working in West Berlin.
• East Germans were imprisoned in their own country.
• Berlin became a place of tension between the United States and the Soviet Union.
• The Berlin Wall split up families and friends.
• The Berlin Wall came down on November 9, 1989.
http://www.berlin.de/mauer/geschichte/index.en.html
http://www.freedomhaters.org/content/craziest-berlin-wall-escape-stories?page=2
www.dailysoft.com/berlinwall/history/facts.htm
www.dailysoft.com/berlinwall/history/escape.htm
www.dailysoft.com/berlinwall/faq/index.htm
http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/history-of-the-berlin-wall-4685.html
www.helium.com/items/306623-the-history-of-the-berlin-wall
The Berlin Wall
How and Why the Berlin Wall was Built
How
The barrier was built by the German Democratic Republic (GDR, East Germany) starting August 13, 1961. In the city of Berlin the wall stretched 43 kilometers long and is also known as “The Death Strip”. The total wall, including the length outside of Berlin, was 140 Kilometers. The wall was 12 feet high with smooth pipe lining the top to make it more difficult to scale. It also included Barbed wire, dogs on leashes, beds of nails, 116 guard towers and, anti-vehicle trenches.
The Berlin Wall went through 4 stages of construction before it was torn down
1. Wire fence (1961)
2. Improved wire fence (1962–1965)
3. Concrete wall (1965–1975)
4. Concrete wall with trenches (Border Wall 75) (1975–1989)
Why
The life in West Germany was much better than in the East after 1948. West Germany, including West Berlin, had financial help through the Marshall Plan from the USA. In East Germany a communist system was established and many people had to suffer under repressions of the Communist party. The wall served to prevent the massive emigration
Rescue and Escape Stories
-The East German families of Peter Strelzyk and Günter Wetzel worked together to create a homemade hot-air balloon. Their wives stitched together curtains, bed-sheets, and random scraps to construct a 65-foot-wide, 75-foot-high balloon. On the night of September 15, 1979, the group launched their contraption, which had just enough fuel to make it over the wall and into the land of Coca Cola and fancy Levi jeans.
-Professional gangs built tunnels that would go under the Berlin Wall (and charged extortionate fees for refugees to use them). One tunnel began in an East Berlin graveyard, where “mourners” brought flowers to a grave and then disappeared underground. And they would have gotten away with it to until Communist officers discovered a baby carriage left by the “grave”. Sealing up the tunnel followed.
-Holger Bethke shot an arrow from an East German rooftop over the Berlin Wall and managed to rig a makeshift pulley system and swing himself to freedom. Years later he flew across the Wall in a micro light aircraft, that he decorated with Russian stars, to rescue his brother Egbert.
-The East German government issued shooting orders to border guards dealing with defectors, though such orders are not the same as "shoot to kill" orders. GDR officials denied issuing the latter. In an October 1973 order later discovered by researchers, guards were instructed that people attempting to cross the wall were criminals and needed to be shot: "Do not hesitate to use your firearm, not even when the border is breached in the company of women and children, which is a tactic the traitors have often used".
-Early successful escapes involved people jumping the initial barbed wire or leaping out of apartment windows along the line, but these ended as the wall was fortified. East German authorities no longer permitted apartments near the wall to be occupied, and any building near the wall had its windows boarded and later bricked up. On August 15, 1961, Conrad Schumann was the first East German border guard to escape by jumping the barbed wire to West Berlin.[57] On 22 August 1961 Ida Siekmann was the first casualty at the Berlin Wall: she died after she jumped out of her third floor apartment at 48 Bernauer Strasse.
-Another dramatic escape was carried out on April 1963 by Wolfgang Engels, a 19-year-old civilian employee of the Nationale Volksarmee. Engels stole a Soviet armored personnel carrier from a base where he was deployed and drove it right into the wall. He was fired at and seriously wounded by border guards. But a West German policeman intervened, firing his weapon at the East German border guards. The policeman removed Engels from the vehicle, which had become entangled in the barbed wire.
-East Germans successfully defected by a variety of methods: digging long tunnels under the wall, waiting for favorable winds and taking a hot air balloon, sliding along aerial wires, flying ultra lights, and in one instance, simply driving a sports car at full speed through the basic, initial fortifications. When metal beams were placed at checkpoints to prevent this kind of defection, up to four people (two in the front seats and possibly two in the boot) drove under the bar in a sports car that had been modified to allow the roof and windscreen to come away when it made contact with the beam. They lay flat and kept driving forward. The East Germans then built zigzagging roads at checkpoints. The sewer system predated the wall, and some people escaped through the sewers, in a number of cases with assistance from the German student group.
-If an escapee was wounded in a crossing attempt and lay on the death strip, no matter how close they were to the Western wall, Westerners could not intervene for fear of triggering engaging fire from the 'Grepos', the East Berlin border guards. The guards often let fugitives bleed to death in the middle of this ground, as in the most notorious failed attempt, that of Peter Fechter (aged 18). He was shot and bled to death, in full view of the Western media, on August 17, 1962. Fechter's death created negative publicity worldwide that led the leaders of East Berlin to place more restrictions on shooting in public places, and provide medical care for possible “would-be escapers”. The last person to be shot while trying to cross the border was Chris Gueffroy on February 6, 1989.
Why the Berlin Wall Came Down
Russia lost its strong hold on East Germany in the 1980's. Then, East German leadership lacked the power and ability to handle the growing discontent of its people.
The boarders between East and West Germany were opened on November 9, 1989 and the Berlin wall was torn down by the end of 1990. The collapse of the Berlin Wall contributed to the collapse of communism and ended the cold war.
Although the opening of the wall was seen as a good thing, fear and anxiety spread throughout the rest of Europe. The fears of reunifying East and West Germany would again lead to war as it had in 1939. Over the next year steps were taken to reunite Germany after 31 years of separation. In the following weeks of November 9, 1989 people from both sides gathered to watch bulldozers make new border crossings. Even though sections of the wall were dismantled or demolished on November 9, 1989, the official dismantling of the wall did not start until June 13, 1990 by the East German Military.
Facts About the Berlin Wall
• Around 5,000 people successfully escaped into West Berlin.
• The Berlin Wall was erected in the night.
• The second generation wall was built to prevent escape.
• There were over 190 people killed on the Berlin Wall.
• There were over 200 people injured by shooting from the Berlin Wall.
• Gunter Litwin was the first victim who was shot down by an East German border guard in Berlin on August 24, 1961.
• The Berlin Wall stopped East German laborers from working in West Berlin.
• East Germans were imprisoned in their own country.
• Berlin became a place of tension between the United States and the Soviet Union.
• The Berlin Wall split up families and friends.
• The Berlin Wall came down on November 9, 1989.
http://www.berlin.de/mauer/geschichte/index.en.html
http://www.freedomhaters.org/content/craziest-berlin-wall-escape-stories?page=2
www.dailysoft.com/berlinwall/history/facts.htm
www.dailysoft.com/berlinwall/history/escape.htm
www.dailysoft.com/berlinwall/faq/index.htm
http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/history-of-the-berlin-wall-4685.html
www.helium.com/items/306623-the-history-of-the-berlin-wall
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