Berlin History

The history of Berlin, the capital of Germany again since the reunification in 1990, started in the 13th century on an island on the river Spree as twin city with the name Berlin-Cölln. Cölln was first mentioned in an official document in 1237, Berlin on the northern banks of the Spree island in 1244. In 1307, both of the cities received a common city hall.

Berlin's name is probably due to the Slawonian term "berl" meaning "swamp".

At the beginning of the 15th century, Friedrich I became elector of Mark Brandenburg until 1440.

Until the end of the Second World War, Berlin was ruled by the Hohenzollern Dynasty first as margraves of Brandenburg, then as kings of Prussia and finally as German Emperors.

During the Thirty Years' War, Berlin suffered seriously: more than 30% of the buildings were destroyed and Berlin's population was reduced by 50%. Elector Friedrich Wilhelm started a policy of immigration and tolerance. Berlin became larger again and suburbs were founded, e.g. Friedrichswerder and Friedrichstadt. Many Jewish families from Austria as well as French Protestants (Huguenots) immigrated during this period. At the beginning of the 18th century, 20% of Berlin's population was French which of course had a large influence on the city.

In 1701, Friedrich I was crowned king of Prussia and Berlin became capital city. The population of Berlin still increased and new suburbs developed that were incorporated to become part of Berlin later. In 1871, Berlin was appointed capital of the just founded German Empire.

Due to extensive incorporations after the First World War, Berlin reached a population of 4,000,000 people.

After the takeover of the Nazis in 1933, Berlin became capital of the Third Reich. Berlin's Jewish population was eliminated.

Berlin was seriously destroyed during the Second World War. After the surrender in 1945, the city was split up into four sectors. The western part of Berlin belonged to the U.S., United Kingdom and France, the eastern part to the Soviet Union. According to aggreement, the allies were in charge of Berlin together. This, however, did not last long and arguments between the allies caused an economic blockade of West Berlin. This blockade was resolved by an airlift.

In 1949, the German Democratic Republic (GDR) as well as the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) were founded. The government of the FRG moved from Berlin to Bonn which became the new capital of West Germany. East Berlin became the capital of the GDR. On August 13th 1961, the Berlin Wall was built by the GDR. From then on, the transition between East and West Berlin was only possible at special border crossings. This, however, did not apply to citizens of East Berlin and the GDR.

28 years later, in 1989, the Berlin Wall fell and in 1990, Germany was reunified and Berlin became the German capital again. In 1991, it was decided to move the government from Bonn to Berlin. After extensive building works in the government quarter, this was carried out in 1999.