The Cold War: Berlin with the Wall (1960s-80s)


Figure 1.--One of the symbols of at free West Berlin was the Schoeneberger Saengerknaben. The Choir was one of Germany's most famous choirs. Unlike many other notable choirs, the Schoeneberger Saengerknaben has a relatively recent foundation, in fact a child of the Cold War. The choir was founded immediately after World War II. It became one of Berlin's best loved cultural symbols in the darkest days of the Cold War. Berlin was at the center of the Cold War and the bright clear voices of the Schoeneberger Saengerknaben choristers was a beakon of hope from the beleagered city. They in a small way symbolized the emergence of Berlin from the dark NAZI past to a democratic free city situated behind the Iron Curtain and evenually the Berlin Wall. Here we see the boys singing during Christmas 1969. The Choir made a tradition singing at the terrible barrier seoparating the city. The caption read, "With their clear voices the boys sing Xmas song and carols. Listening to the famous boy's choir are not only the police on duty but als representatives of the American, British, and French protective powers and the ihbitants of the houses mear to the wallon the eastern side and 'GDR' border guards." Schoeneberger Saengerknaben choristers were at the Reichstag when President Kennedy gave his famous speech pledging to stand with West Berliners. The boys sang at the Wall in 1961 when it was built--a lament to separation from the choir members in east Berlin. A different generation sang at the Wall when citizens of East and West Berlin breeched the Wall.

When the Berlin Wall went up, rising political leaders in the developing world saw Soviet Communism as the future. Men like Fiedel Castro committed to the Soviets. Many other committed to Soviet policies. The alure of raod development attracted many. But so did the idea of dictatorship and permanent control of power. Largely unseen at the time was the degree to which West Berlin was developing avibrant free economy as was West Germany while East Berlin and East Germany were growing economic failures. Actually East Germany was the most successful part od the Soviet Empire. But it pailed in camparison to the German economic Miracle. In fairness, the West Germans supported West Berlin, but West Germany was a huge economic success. And only the Wall which year by year the East Germnans made increasingly deadly, prevented large numbers of East Germans from defecting to the West. And the bright lights of a vibrant free city was in sharp conterast to grey, crumbing East Berlin. This was apparent to both Berliners and Germans. Outside of Germany opinions varied in Europe. There was very substantial support for socialist thought and even admiration of the Soviets. Few understood the very significant economic problems developing in the Soviet Union. Or for that matter the economic problems that Socialism was laying for the European future. Gradually the focus of the Cold War shifted away from Berlin. But no where else was the character of Soviet opression and the failure of Communism so apparent. Willie Brandt's Ost-Politik attempted to deal with the East Germans, but did nothing to change the character of the East German regime or situation in Berlin. Ideology convinced many. A secrets could be cocealed in the Gulag. But the Wall could not be hidden and Soviet propaganda could never explain it.








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Created: 12:26 PM 3/10/2013
Last updated: 12:26 PM 3/10/2013