The Berlin Wall (1): Potsdamer Platz

In its heyday, the early 20th century, Potsdamer Platz was the busiest traffic intersection in Berlin. Eleven traffic policemen did their best to control the 60,000 cars - plus numerous trams, cyclists and pedestrians - crossing it daily. So in 1924 Berlin adopted an American idea, and it was here that the very first traffic lights in Europe were installed.

At the end of World War II, just 21 years later, Berlin lay in ruins and was divided into four sectors, i e zones of occupation. Potsdamer Platz was crossed by the dividing line between the Eastern (Russian controlled) sector of the city and the British and American controlled sectors. The square had been devastated. Its rubble was removed to a Schuttberg but no rebuilding was undertaken on the site of the square. The dividing line, which a few years later became a national border, was a very sensitive area.

Click for a photo of a less sophisticated section of the "Wall" in Berlin at that time.


The message

The message on the large placard reads:

Peace and Security in Europe means (or requires) the recognition of existing realities.

The German Democratic Republic (GDR) had been proclaimed in 1949, but for decades West Germany refused to recognise its existence as a separate state. Operating under the Hallstein Doctrine, West Germany refused diplomatic recognition to any other state recognising the existence of the GDR. My guess is that this sleight, which rankled greatly within the GDR (which yearned for legitimacy), explains the poster's reference to "the recognition of existing realities".


Viewing platform

The message was only fully visible to people standing on the wooden platform constructed on the Western side of the Berlin Wall. There were several in the town, and it was a "must" for tourists to peer across into the forbidden, occupied territory. This was perhaps a little macabre, but it may also have served a means for Berliners separated from family members "over there" to look over and see their former home.


A footnote to the war of words and slogans being waged.

When the GDR was proclaimed, East Berlin was made its capital. However, in the GDR it was referred to as either "Berlin" or "Berlin, Capital of the GDR". (It should be remembered that during the partition of the country, Western Germany's capital was Bonn.)



PHOTOGRAPHIC INFO:
Camera: Minolta M1 (35mm film)
Kodachrome slide: 1/125th sec, f/8
The film speed would have been either 25 or 64 ASA/ISO.

[Blip created in April 2014]