Berlin History: A Tale of Two Sides

Frederick the Great of Prussia serves
as an example of militarism and new ideas

Before watching this documentary, I will be safe to admit that I may have known little to nothing about Berlin history. Its history may be one of the most colorful stories in the world, filled with highs and lows. Berlin had periods of violence, fear, and confusion but also served as the center for new ideas, freedom, and reform.

Berlin's conflicting history can be well represented by a famous man named Frederick the Great. Frederick, also known as Fritz, was born into the royal family and grew up rebellious. He performed classical poetry and played the flute, contrary to his father's will. At a very young age, he became engaged in the arts, despite his family's military background. When Frederick became the King of Prussia, he led a brutal and dominating military conquest, gaining control of sections of Poland, Saxony, and Austria. Frederick was a bit of a two-sided figure, who loved the arts and playing the flute but also revealed violent, dominating characteristics which foreshadows Berlin's long history of ups and downs. Fritz eventually had a statue created on the top of the Brandenburg Gate which farther on would act as the divide between East and West Berlin.

Brandenburg Gate: an old divider between East and West Berlin

Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg:
Past leaders of the communist party in Germany
who were killed for their cause

What I was truly amazed by was how well Frederick's story portrays and exemplifies Berlin's history as a whole. Fast forward to the 19th Century, East Berlin was nicknamed "Red Berlin" for all of the violence and unrest that surrounded the city. This developed after the end of World War 1 when two republics were declared, including the communist party. Two individuals named Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht lead the communist party and the political unrest lead to a bloody uprising where communists gained control of the city, and then lost control and many were killed.

May 6, 1933, the Nazi party attacked Hirschefeld's
institution while burning other books labeled "degenerate"

Despite all of the violence that existed among ideas that swarmed Berlin, Berlin became a center of freedom of censorship and expression. Censorship was being lifted as the communist party gained power, which lead to Hirschfeld taking part in gay rights activism in the 1920's and also starting a sexual research institute. The good times can only last so long however until Hitler came to power and attacked this institute while also burning literature that was considered (degenerate) in the "coming of a new age" of the Nazi Party.

The Palace of the Republic after original Stadtschloss
was torn down

It was due to separations of ideals that created the all-too-famous Berlin Wall in the first place after World War II. The wall began on "Barbed Wire Sunday" where it meant to separate Communist East Berlin and Capitalist West Berlin. This wall cut communities, families, and friends apart from each other. Both sides claimed that they were the "true Germany," and it is ironic that Berlin became the capital of Germany as it is today, despite such a past. The differences between East and West Berlin and the history behind the city makes it a perfect capital. Even the development of architecture has something to say about it as well. For example, when the Stadtschloss was torn down after the Cold War, it was the original city palace and center of the German Empire. The spot where the Stadtschloss was, they had tore it down on the East Berlin side and turned it into a palace of Republic. Some East Berliner's loved the new Parliament building but many individuals did not like the change, believing that the old Stadtschloss building meant something to the ideals of the German people and the building was renovated yet again back to its original form.


 The city reveals Germany's development through a clash of ideals, philosophies, and instability. Berlin's survival speaks wonders for the German people in what they have been able to withstand and persevere through in the past. The fact that East and West Berlin came together again is a shock to me after listening to the documentary. The story of Berlin is so similar Frederick the Great: Berlin has a militaristic background, but has developed into a country that praises, values, and supports different ideas, views, and idealistic principals.

WORD COUNT: 697

Martin Luther: A Man of Courage, Faith, and Reform

A portrait of Martin Luther who would
later become one of the most influential 
religious and cultural reformers in history

Martin Luther is most commonly known as a religious reformer because of  his writings that targeted Catholicism (95 Thesis). One thing that I did not fully understand before watching the documentary was that Luther was much more; his influence stretched across cultural and political grounds and set a strong example for future reform across the world.

His religious influence was that of huge proportions. Luther's ability to write well carried his insights and across lands like wildfire. His study of Catholic and Christian doctrine led him to discover flaws in the Church which played a huge role in the German way of life. Luther argued that the road to salvation in Christianity was only through the relationship between God and the individual, thus minimizing the Church's role as an intermediary between the two. Another one of Luther's arguments was against the idea of the seven sacraments that were practiced by the Catholic Church. Through his study of the Bible, he discovered that the sacred book only recognizing two sacraments: Baptism and the Last Supper. These two arguments that Luther posed were at the center of the Church's doctrine and practices. His "95 Theses" and other writings gained support throughout Europe and the Church met him with intense retaliation including verbal attacks, threats, and finally excommunication which threatened Luther's life and his future in the afterlife, all for standing up for something he believed. The Church put him under so much stress that he had to go into hiding and if it was not for Frederick the Wise who helped hide him, he would not have been as successful in spreading his agenda. Not only did Luther speak out against Catholic doctrine, but he also translated the Bible into German, which was huge development in the spreading of Christianity to all of the common people, especially in Germany. This translation made the Bible accessible to almost everyone in Germany.

Roman Emperor Charles V who
agreed to meet with Luther and allow 
him to speak at the Diet of Worms

Diving deeper into Luther's story, one will realize that his actions caused a cultural revolution and set precedent for future reformation. At the heart of it, Luther was simply a man, who stood up to one of the most powerful forces and cultural influences at the time: the Catholic Church. To think that a man with an opinion and witty style of writing could summon the attention of the most powerful people in Europe such as Roman Emperor Charles V was astonishing.

 Not only that, but he was one of the first people to utilize the printing press to gather an extensive audience to view his work. Some might even consider his writings some of the first examples of propaganda ever used in history. He portrayed the Church as a financial drain on the people of Germany and Europe, such that the Church was using all the money for their personal "indulgences." His case eventually brought him to "Diet of Worms" where he argued his case. The individuals at the hearing only asked that he denounce all of his writings but he refused. The refusal to give-in and trust in his own beliefs is an ideal that I believe is incorporated into our American society today. We are told from a very young age that "we can be anything and do anything we want to" which translates to characteristics like confidence and perseverance in whatever one may believe in, practice, dream, etc. Luther's influence stretched beyond religion, and even convinced violent uprisings from peasants and other groups to take radical, often violent action. Luther's impact stretched even farther than he could have imagined and it revealed that his words could have huge repercussions in the world around him. Regardless of the side effects, Luther's success in pursuing his ideals and under such powerful duress demonstrates that one ordinary voice has the power make a difference.

Martin Luther at the "Diet of Worms" where he voiced his
concerns against the Catholic Church in front of the major
powers of Europe at the time

Personally, after seeing the documentary and learning more about Martin Luther, I see him as a sign of courage to stand up to such powerful authority even with risk of death and losing everything he had. Even if someone may disagree with Luther's beliefs, one cannot deny that his perseverance is something that all Germans, Americans, and all people can look up to.


WORD COUNT: 630