After watching the BBC’s documentary about
Berlin, I found it very interesting that two features of the city throughout
its history have been the clash of ideas and the struggle for freedom. Points
in history demonstrating this that I found intriguing were the character and
reign of Frederick the Great and the struggle between East and West Germany
after World War II.
Frederick the Great was born in Berlin in
1712 and eventually became King of Prussia. Throughout his life, Frederick
embodied a clash between idealism and militarism, between liberation and
oppression. From an early age he enjoyed music and the arts. However his
father, Frederick Wilhelm I, disliked this and enrolled Frederick in military
training. The ruler carried this dichotomy with him during his reign.
While king, he was a passionate patron of the arts and promoter of enlightenment ideals. He especially supported Voltaire and his ideas on social reform, equality, and education and put the ideas into practice in Prussia. Frederick is also known for his military genius. He expanded the kingdom, invading Saxony, Austria, and other lands. He brought enlightenment ideas with him and came to be known as a warrior philosopher. Many Germans look to Frederick the Great for inspiration for both reform and militarism. I found it interesting that communist East Germany was strongly against Frederick at first because Adolf Hitler looked up to him for his military might. They even had his statue removed in Berlin. They later changed their minds, embracing him and his ideas of compassion and tolerance. They also looked to his model for a militarized nation. They hoped affiliating with Frederick would help gain support from the people and give them historical legitimacy.
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| Portrait of King Frederick II by Anton Graff. Adolf Hitler kept a portrait of the king as one of his most prized possessions. source |
While king, he was a passionate patron of the arts and promoter of enlightenment ideals. He especially supported Voltaire and his ideas on social reform, equality, and education and put the ideas into practice in Prussia. Frederick is also known for his military genius. He expanded the kingdom, invading Saxony, Austria, and other lands. He brought enlightenment ideas with him and came to be known as a warrior philosopher. Many Germans look to Frederick the Great for inspiration for both reform and militarism. I found it interesting that communist East Germany was strongly against Frederick at first because Adolf Hitler looked up to him for his military might. They even had his statue removed in Berlin. They later changed their minds, embracing him and his ideas of compassion and tolerance. They also looked to his model for a militarized nation. They hoped affiliating with Frederick would help gain support from the people and give them historical legitimacy.
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| This statue of Frederick the Great was removed, then replaced by East Berlin authorities. source |
Unfortunately re-associating with Frederick
the Great did not solve East Germany’s problems. People were still unsatisfied
with tyranny and the terrible divisions created by dividing both Berlin and the
nation as a whole. Following the end of World War II, the Allies divided Germany
into four military occupation zones. Those in the west controlled by the United
States, United Kingdom, and France were merged while East Germany remained
under the Soviet Union. This caused conflict with the democratic west and
communist east, especially in Berlin. The city was also divided among the
allies, even though it was located in East Germany. Those in the west were
basically prisoners, especially once the Berlin Wall was built around West
Berlin in 1961. The wall divided not only the land, but also families and
friends. The people of Berlin demonstrated their strength and desire for
freedom throughout the Cold War Era, enduring much hardship and oppression.
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| A map of Germany showing its divisions among the Allies after World War II source |
I found it interesting that East Berlin
became a place of refuge for North Vietnamese communists despite all the bitter
conflict. They made Berlin their home and found work. I thought it was sad that
once Berlin was unified again the Vietnamese were displaced a bit. German
Berliners were upset that they had taken jobs. One Vietnamese man said he
didn’t feel like a true Berliner, even though he had lived there almost his
whole life. I found this surprising, especially when I heard some of what JFK
said when he traveled to Berlin: “All free men, wherever they may live, are
citizens of Berlin.” That Vietnamese man, however, still felt like an outsider.
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| JFK giving his famous "Ich Bin Ein Berliner" speech, which inspired hope in many citizens of Berlin. source |
As an American, I found it somewhat easy to
understand the two things characteristic of Berlin. Though perhaps not as
extreme, Americans experience clashing ideas, especially since our nation, to
use a cliché, is a melting pot of different cultures and peoples. Throughout
history, Berliners have faced much oppression and have fought time and again
for their freedom. In America, we have a tendency to take our freedoms for
granted. Learning about the struggles Berliners have endured was very eye
opening for me. It also made me think about those struggling for freedom and
equality in American society today. I look forward to spending time in Berlin
and getting to know more about its rich history and culture. (671)
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