It was a shinning time of dark history when world war II took place and Berlin was on the center. The Nazi regime rose and fell here, the city was bombed to death, and Hitler’s Third Reich crumbled. In this blog post, we walk through the history of WW2 Berlin, covering the events that changed the course of the city’s history and what they meant for its inhabitants.
1. The Start of the War
World War II starts with Germany, led by Adolf Hitler, invading Poland on September 1, 1939. Also in the following years Berlin was the capital of Nazi Germany and the centre of Hitler’s power.
Hitler changed the 1930s Berlin city, as massive construction projects were supervised by Hitler, turning it into center of Nazi propaganda hub. The regime put up iconic buildings like the Reich Chancellery and the Olympic Stadium, showcasing its grandeur and ambition.
2. The Battle of Berlin
It was the final major offensive in the European theatre of World War II: the Battle of Berlin, from 16 April to 2 May 1945. The city was captured by the Soviet Red Army under the command of Marshal Georgy Zhukov, particularly in a fierce assault as it was.
In this battle, fighting was very intense in Berlin with large amount of destruction. Entire neighborhoods were bulldozed into rubble, and much of the city’s buildings were destroyed. Some areas of the city today are still bearing the scars of this battle.
2.1 The Fall of the Reichstag
The Fall of the Reichstag is one of the symbolism most moments of the Battle of Berlin. The Soviets were specifically interested in knocking down the Reichstag, the German parliament building. It was on April 30, 1945, that Soviet soldiers hoisted the victory banner over the Reichstag, only slightly more intact than the Berliners had done to hide their secrets.
This iconic image of the flying Soviet flag above the ruined and burnt-out Reichstag, as well as the rest of the city, is a sign of the end of Nazi ideology and rule, and a symbol of the beginning of a new era for Berlin and for Germany as a whole.
3. The Berlin Wall
After World War II, Berlin was divided into East and West. One such historical moment was the Berlin Wall and its running construction, beginning with 1961.
Nearly three decades long it stood as a physical and ideological barrier, to prevent mass migration of East Berliners into the Western part of the city. Many escape attempts were made (often accompanied by tragedy). Families were separated.
On November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall fell and for Berlin was a landmark event for the world. The Cold War was showing signs of ending and Germany was becoming reunited.
4. Remembering WW2 Berlin
Today, the scars of WW2 Berlin can be still found in its architecture and memorials. The visits to these sites can be a powerful and educational reminder of the importance of remembering history.
Some notable places to visit include:
The Holocaust Memorial: This memorial at the Brandenburg Gate honors the millions of Jews who were killed in the Holocaust.
The Topography of Terror: Located on the site of the Gestapo and SS headquarters, this museum gives a hair raising tour of the crimes that the Nazi regime perpetrated.
The Reichstag: The Reichstag, now the seat of the German parliament and a stark reminder of Berlin’s difficult past, now offers a particular view over the city.
4.1 Learning from History
We understand the events of WW2 Berlin because we can learn from them the consequences of war, totalitarianism and the defense of democratic values.
The past needs to be remembered so that things like this never happen again. Berlin is a landmark for this, proud of its strength and desire to rise above its most challenging times.
Finally, Berlin was deeply affected by World War II, as its history was affected and the cityscape is left in the hands of the memory. We can understand the reach of WW2 Berlin by decoding key events and legacies of this period and reflect on the city’s incredible journey to reconciliation, unity and peace.