Declassified: Rise and Fall of the Wall (Part 5/5)

For three decades, it symbolized the chasm between East and West, a brutal, grey barrier which divided a city and was a constantly-simmering focal point of the Cold War. But on November 9, 1989, the long-oppressed citizens of East Berlin broke the first chink in its 96 miles of concrete and barbed wire, signaling the start of one of history's most dramatic political transformations. A simple mistake by an East German official (who announced free transit to the West) unleashed joyful and anarchic celebrations on either side of the Wall. Germans East and West rushed to embrace each other, but how would the Soviets respond? Would they reinforce GDR border guards and fire on the revelers? Would the try to force the gates closed? Would they fire on the West, unleashing World War III? The world watched and waited.

Drawing on formerly secret archives from both sides of the Wall and the memories of those who risked their lives to cross the deadly barrier, Declassified: The Rise and Fall of the Wall presents all the detail and drama in a non-stop, fast-moving montage cut to a rock and roll beat. Featuring rare footage, insider reports and interviews with pivotal figures like President George Bush Sr. and Mikhail Gorbachev, this is an unforgettable portrait of a Cold War icon.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• USA
• Russia
• Germany
• Berlin
• Wall
• Documentary

[abdulbade]

@jumpnjza2

well, im not a capitalist, nor do i like nato, but come on no communist country ever achieved anything for their people. im more of a socialist

[aegispsiaen]

Jenny28583: It was made for American audiences ;)

[jumpnjza2]

@abdulbade

Actually yeah they did.

[OneHand80]

Sum parts of the wall sold for big money because of sum art on it.

[llmorbvsll]

this documentary doesn't mention the monday demonstrations. At it's peak there were 500.000 people demonstrating in Leipzig and other cities. Every Monday... Apart from demonstrations being illegal and many getting arrested. 500.000 is almost 3% of population. In the US that would be 9 million. In a single city, regularly on monday, illegaly and without formal organisation. A few just started it and and it ever grew then. That's why they originally thought about allowing travel in the 1st place

[FixedNewsChannel]

@tomylaw - You keep typing the same thing over and over again. I'd say it is you who is the propaganda merchant.

[Koosiey]

@tomylaw You should get your´e facts straight. The yanks are the biggest murderers since mankind.

starting with the 60 million indians, and still going on today!

[isurfu2ube]

Gorbachev allowed them to take down the wall! GDR would crush everyone with their tanks if they wanted to. but Russia decided to let the people do what they wanted to do..

[YesIamEccentric]

So Gorbachev was the ultimate Communist.... Or appeared to be in this interview....

[jumpnjza2]

@tomylaw

I can't be bothered arguing with some NATO cocksucker who sees the cold-war as a battle between freedom and tyranny. Go educate yourself.

[tomylaw]

@jumpnjza2 You communist bastard... People have the right to be free and not be monitored, manipulated and repressed. Communism only brings hatred, poverty and stagnation. RIP the 100 millions of victims and heroes of the most cruel form of government and brainwashing doctrine.