The Fall of the Berlin Wall

Construction on Berlin Wall began in 1961, but it would divide the city until 1989. But what was life like in divided Berlin?

The Berlin Wall divided the city for nearly 30 years, but it inspired some iconic artwork.

The fall of the Berlin Wall was the first step towards German reunification. The political, economic and social impact of the fall of the Berlin Wall further weakened the already unstable East German government. Germany reunited on 3 October 1990, 11 months after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

But why did the Berlin Wall fall?

The Berlin Wall fell on 9 November 1989. By the end of 1990, much of the Wall had been demolished. 

Explore our timeline of key events in the Berlin Wall’s history using IWM’s film collection.

On 9 November 1989, government spokesman Gunter Schabowski announced at a press conference that every citizen of East Germany would be allowed to travel to the West, effective immediately. Discover 8 photos from IWM's collection illustrating the fall of the Berlin Wall. 

The Berlin Wall came to represent the ideological divisions of the Cold War. At the end of the Second World War, Germany was divided into four zones of occupation under the control of the United States, Britain, France and the Soviet Union. Berlin, although located within the Soviet zone, was also split amongst the four powers.

The Potsdam Conference was the last meeting of the ‘Big Three’ Allied leaders during the Second World War. At Yalta in February 1945, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, American President Franklin D Roosevelt and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin had agreed to meet again following the defeat of Germany, principally to determine the borders of post-war Europe.

The Berlin Airlift was the first major confrontation between the East and the West during the Cold War. It was known as Operation 'Plainfare' by the British and Operation 'Vittles' by the Americans.