The turning point in 1989: A historic milestone full of hopes, conflicts and unexpected developments

The global importance of the revolution of 1789 – was it really closed?

In the GDR, for example, the historians of the Socialist Unity Party explained that the actual realization of the revolution took place only through the October Revolution of 1917. That means: In 1789, the real goal – the socialist society – was only achieved later for the GDR. They saw the legacy of 1789 under the sign of socialism, which intheir ideology is the true continuation and realization of revolutionary thoughts. At that time, no one could foresee that only a few months later a completely different revolution, namely the peaceful revolution in the GDR, would herald the end of the Berlin Wall and pave the way for German unity. These events should be profoundly European political systemChange and lead the continent into a new era. It was hard for many contemporaries to imagine that the ideas of 1789, which for centuries formed the basis for freedom and self-determination, could become reality in the reality of a communist state in Eastern Europe. But that’s exactly what should happen. Within a very short time, the thesis proved that the revolutionfrom 1789 was already completed and can only be regarded as history, as untenable. The social crisis in the GDR was profound, and many people hoped that this crisis would finally be overcome. However, at that time only a few knew how this change should actually take place, and even less how intensity and drama it take placewould. No one could predict how events would develop. What was even more complicated: except in Poland and Hungary, none of the Eastern Bloc countries have any clear perspective on who would emerge victorious from the crisis. Would the old authoritarian regimes assert their power? Or would they have to clear the way for the reformers who came up within their ranksdo? For most observers, it seemed unthinkable at the time that there could be alternatives. It was hardly thought possible that the existing power structures could be broken, let alone that the reform forces would gain the upper hand. The idea of a peaceful and controlled transition was hardly present at the time.

The year 1989 – between revolutionary memories and the reality of failure

One of the most fascinating features of 1989 is the irony that runs through the events. While the celebrations for the “Great Revolution” began in many countries, the year itself was also characterized by a deep commemoration of German revolutionaries, whose fates shaped German history significantly. The year began with the commemoration, especially in the GDRThomas Müntzer, one of the most important German revolutionaries, who is known for his radical ideas of freedom and justice. For many, Müntzer symbolized the eternal hope of a more just society, but his fate also stands for the disappointments that repeatedly accompanied the efforts of freedom in Germany: They failed, stopped halfwayOr could never fully achieve their original goals: The first of all, the Palestine Müntzer, who was executed during the Peasants’ War in 1525, is considered a central figure in the fight against the oppressive powers of his time. His radicalism and his commitment to social justice still make him a symbolic figure for the revolutionary spirit. The memory of him was in the GDR in theJanuary 1989 deliberately celebrated to underline the connection between the past and the current social challenges. The official view was formulated by Karlen Vesper, the editor at the “Neue Germany”. She emphasized that Müntzer’s “bold idea” had become reality in the GDR and that the GDR was thus the “executive of the will” of his strugglebe This not only stylized Müntzer as a heroic figure, but also a legitimate forerunner of the socialist society that was sought in the GDR. Interestingly, this capture of Müntzer by the SED was a conscious strategy. Although Müntzer fought against the authorities – in direct contrast to Luther, who preached obedience – he was a model in the GDRstylized for the revolutionary resistance to oppression. However, the following applies to the SED regime: every uprising against the authorities, as long as they were not directed against their own rule, was considered fundamentally correct and necessary. This means that Müntzer’s historical picture was exploited for his own purposes.

Honecker and the political staging of the Müntzer commemoration

On January 19, 1989, Erich Honecker, then the chairman of the SED, gave an important speech on the occasion of the Müntz commemoration. He referred to the recently concluded CSCE follow-up conference in Vienna and tried to defend human rights in the GDR. Honecker claimed that the GDR would respect all human rights and that the conference was a great success becausethe GDR was able to bring in numerous proposals. Many citizens of the GDR initially saw things differently: They were skeptical and demanded consistent human rights compliance. The GDR had undertook to grant everyone the right to leave their country and return – a right that should be guaranteed by law. A church employee even applied for the foundingAn “Association for Observation and Promotion of the CSCE Process in the GDR” inspired by the Helsinki Watch Groups to control human rights compliance. But all these initiatives were in vain, but the GDR was isolated internationally because of its poor human rights record. Even so-called “brother states” such as Poland, Hungary andThe Soviet Union kept a distance and showed little understanding for the situation in the GDR. Instead, Honecker put responsibility for the limited freedom of travel to the United States and the Federal Republic of Germany. He argued that the wall would only last as long as the conditions that led to its construction were not changed. His words, theThe permanent existence of the Berlin Wall prophesied, triggered fear and terror in many people. The vision of a centenary of the Wall seemed insurmountable and became a symbol of the repressive state in the GDR. Opposition groups, including Ludwig Mehlhorn, Stephan Bickhardt and Hans-Jürgen Fischbeck, answered Honecker on January 23 with an open letter: hermade it clear that the wall was primarily directed inwards to control the population. They called for not to wait fifty years, but to bring about changes immediately. At this point, no one could have guessed that Honecker’s forecast would be unintentional. Because in the autumn of the same year, the reason for the existence of the wall was within a few weeksTorn away: The dictatorship of the SED.

The reality of human rights in the GDR – victims and tragic victims

The actual situation of human rights in the GDR was also extremely precarious in the last years of its existence. The victims of the repressive border regime still testify to the brutality with which the regime took action against its own population. On February 6, 1989, 20-year-old Chris Guefroy was fatally killed in a firefighting at the Berlin Wall. He was the last knownFatal victims who died on the Berlin Wall by the border regime. Less than two months later, on March 8, 1989, Winfried Freudenberg died in an attempt to escape. He fled over Berlin with a hot air balloon, but fell and died. The international public protested outraged against these actions, while in the GDR people increasingly despaired andbecame impatient. In the last months before the fall of the Wall, more deaths were registered. On August 22, GDR citizen Werner Schulz was accidentally shot dead by Hungarian border posts while he wanted to flee to Austria with his family. A few months later, in October, 23-year-old Dietmar Pommer was attempted to escape over the Oder of Polishshot border officials. He was on his way to entering the Federal Republic of Germany and is considered one of the last victims of the GDR border regime. These events show that the most brutal measures against those willing to flee were used until shortly before the end of the GDR. But despite all the oppression and violence, the spring months of 1989 began, the final collapse of the systemto initiate. People felt that times were changing and hope for a better future grew stronger.

The road to German unity – a short but bloody way

The path from 1989 to German unity was characterized by enormous conflicts, social upheavals and personal tragedies. The events of the year mark not only the end of the GDR, but also the beginning of a new age in Europe. The fall of the Wall, the peaceful revolution and the subsequent reunification are an expression of a long-cherished desire forfreedom and self-determination. But behind the scenes there were decades of oppression, victims and serious conflicts that made the way there extremely bloody, heavy and often emotionally stressful. Today we remember this time to appreciate the importance of freedom, human rights and democracy – values that should never be lost despite all the setbacks.