Why did the Berlin Wall fall?

Solidarity movements in Polad kickstarts reform. 

Abandonment of the Brezhnev Doctrine - GDR was more reliant on USSR because it's an artificial country, couldn't restructure without support. 

The SED used propaganda to maintain superiority in the Eastern bloc, e.g. anti-Soviet propaganda about homelessness and food shortages. Censorship of Soviet media.

In November 1988 - SED banned the Soviet Newspaper Sputnik and five films that positively portrayed Gobrchev's policies. Teacher banned from using a Soviet article from Pravda.

Impact 

Party split into non-Gorbachev supporters and Gobachev supporters. 

Emergence of counter-culture in the 1960s.

Brief liberalisation of the Prague Spring in Czechoslovakia

Main opposition young people (25-40 age group)

Other issues included? Peace, Ecological Problems, Third World issues, gay rights - led to formation of autonomous groups

80-90 ecological groups based in the larger cities of Leipzig where environmental problems were rife. 

Environmental Library (1986) in Berlin, self-printed journal of, Umweltblatter had a circulation of 2000 a month, the members of this press were arrested by the Stasi.

By January 1988, 100 activists were arrested and deported to West Germany, after disrupting an SED rally. 

The GDR generation had no experience of a single Germany as it was too unrealistic.

Desired the promotion of peace and a central alternative political culture. 

Fuelled by the implentation of military training and increase of world war tension in early 1980s.

Peace groups such as the iniciative for Peace and Human Rights (IFM) began to foster contacts oustside of the GDR and into the Soviet bloc. It was targeted by the Stasi but was protected by the protestant church. 

The protestant church always provided care and support for groups such as the eldery and disabled and therefore played a variety of roles into society. Thus, it became hard to fit in a box.

For smaller groups, ot offered a degree of protection from the SED.

Some church leaders merely wanted to survive in a climate where 80% (1950) 30%(1980s) were religious.

= 'Church within Socialism' 

Was the only major organization allowed outside the SED with its own affairs.

Any political elements of the church were allowed to be contained within it's own sphere.

The accord fuelled significant elements of reform as it provided a forum for discussion. 

The Junge Gemeinde was particularly resented by the SED as the church was by many, it rivalled the FDJ as it averted attention. 

Stasi placed agents at all levels from bishops - church lawyers. In some church synods 25% of members were informers. 

Many in the church saw themselves as political opposition. THe church became a focal point for those dissatisfied with the regime. 

The state began a more open repression of the church, realising they couldn't control it for much longer, especially as it had no structure or hierarchy, leaving it open to debate and lacking in control. 

Groups such as the IFM meant they debated topics involving even the SED within the Church. 

By the summer of 1987, the church from the lowest ranks had begun working with groups such as the IFM and disagreed with the tops more subtle approach to the SED.

In May 1989, GDR won 98% odf the vote, but it was becoming obvious that those in the West enjoyed much higher standards of living than themselves. 

The niche element of society of venting through jokes and leisure activities had become status quo but by the 1980s, there was actually a possibility of sustainable political change. 

The biggest group highlighted by the central institute for Youth Research in Leipzig found that less than 20% of young people felt strong identification with the GDR. 

The population had become more active in voicing their opinions.