Berlin’s colorful history spans eight or more centuries. The city was first documented in 1244. But recent excavations suggest that the German capital may be even older. Archaeologists discovered an oak beam in 2008 that probably dates back to the year 1183. Throughout these centuries, Berlin saw dazzling to dark epochs.
(1244) Berlin – medieval trading center
Founded in 1244, the current metropolis began when the twin towns, Berlin and Coelln, merged and became one medieval trading center. At that time, the city had roughly 8,500 inhabitants.
(1411) Berlin – electors’ residence
Starting in the 14th century, the Hohenzollern ruled the city for 500 years. The first Hohenzollern to rule Berlin was Elector Friedrich I of Brandenburg. The last was King and Emperor Wilhelm II who ruled until 1918.
(1701) Berlin – royal capital
During the Hohenzollern rule, Berlin became the royal residence of Friedrich I, King of Prussia. He helped the city develop into a center of enlightenment. The city’s red brick city hall, which is still standing today, was built during that period.
Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate
built 1788-1971
commisioned by Friedrich I, King of Prussia
(1871) Berlin – imperial capital
Berlin became the capital of the German Reich, and its population grew to over 1 Million. 1914 brought the beginning of World War I. Toward the end of that war, hunger and war-weariness lead to massive strikes in the city.
(1918) Berlin – Weimar Republic
When World War I ended in 1918, Emperor Wilhelm II was ousted and the Weimar Republic, Germany’s first democracy, was formed. Excessive reparation demands levied on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles caused run-away inflation and widespread unemployment. In 1923, when the inflation reached its peak, a kilo of rye bread sold for 3.6 million marks. Meanwhile, Berlin had incorporated many towns and rural communities so that the population had grown to almost 4 million.
Next week, the thumbnail sketch of Berlin’s colorful history will take the reader from 1933 to the present, visit
http://www.walled-in-berlin.com/j-elke-ertle/berlins-long-history/
For a sneak peek at the first 20+ pages of my memoir, Walled-In: A West Berlin Girl’s Journey to Freedom, click “Download a free excerpt” on my home page and feel free to follow my blog about anything German: historic or current events, people, places or food.
Walled-In is my story of growing up in Berlin during the Cold War. Juxtaposing the events that engulfed Berlin during the Berlin Blockade, the Berlin Airlift, the Berlin Wall and Kennedy’s Berlin visit with the struggle against my equally insurmountable parental walls, Walled-In is about freedom vs. conformity, conflict vs. harmony, domination vs. submission, loyalty vs. betrayal.
Tags: Berlin's history, elector's residence, imperial capital, medieval trading center, post WWII, royal capital
