Historical Context
Key Dates
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What is the Wendezeit?
The term Wendezeit describes the time of the political changes in divided Germany until the official reunification in 1990.
The German word "Wende" represents a "turning point" or "change of direction"
It is often understood that the Wendezeit started with the demonstrations in 1989. It represented a process of sociopolitical change that led to, among other openings, the opening of East Germany's borders to the Western world.
Monday Protests in Leipzig
Reunification and Beyond
The Berlin Wall formally divided East and West Berlin, creating a physical barrier not only between the two political entities, but also between the increasingly opposing viewpoints, ideologies, and ways of life for those living within Germany.
When the wall fell on November 9th, 1989, a formerly divided city and country was suddenly reunited. Yet, a distinct separation remained between who and what belonged to East and West Germany. There was a visible, public unification that was displayed through public celebrations, concerts, and performances; however, the outward appearance of unity was merely a façade masking the great difficulties of a reunited country that was largely still very divided.
Impacts of Reunification
Despite how joyous and historic the moment was for most Germans, it also brought a host of economic and political challenges. Many rejoiced and citizens on both sides celebrated the wonderful unification of Berlin. This celebration was brought to a halt as they learned the complicated reality of merging two countries with opposing political ideologies.
As the effects of reunification became more prominent, many Germans began to miss life before the wall had fallen. Many East Germans believed their loss of jobs, income, and culture could be blamed on capitalism. This even led to a cultural phenomenon called “Ostalgie” or a nostalgia for aspects of life in East Germany. Many West Germans resented the East for bringing all their problems and slowing the economy. Despite the initial excitement about reunification, many citizens from the East and West began to miss the life they had before and resent one another for the changes.
Pop Culture
Ossi (Easterner) and Wessi (Westerner) are informal names that became popular ways to distinguish former citizens of East Germany and West Germany. The term Besserwessi (besser meaning "better") which is a pun on Besserwisser ("know-it-all") also emerged and indicated a Wessi who felt superior to Ossis. Some former East Germans felt that former West Germans did not respect their culture and that East Germans were assimilated into West German culture, rather than the two cultures being united as equals (equal preservation of cultures was promised in the Unification Treaty of the two German governments). These people were sometimes called Jammerossis (jammer meaning complaining).This term was even named the German Word of the Year in 1991 by the Gesellschaft für deutsche Sprache.
The Wendezeit was an incredibly turbulent time and within this period of transition, and there are many pieces of forgotten history that got overlooked in the chaos.