Chancellor Helmut Kohl's speech and German reunification | DW Documentary

Six weeks after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Helmut Kohl went to Dresden. The enthusiastic reception he received there acted as a catalyst for a rapid German reunification. The speech Kohl gave there was the most difficult and probably most important speech of his life.
Peter Limbourg will never forget December 19, 1989. That’s when, as a young television correspondent reporting on the historic events surrounding the fall of the Berlin Wall, he went to Dresden, where the West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl was to meet with the de facto East German leader Hans Modrow to stabilize the situation in the communist state. But shortly after his arrival, it became clear that the thousands of East Germans lining the streets and giving him an enthusiastic welcome were in no mood for lengthy negotiations. They wanted a united Germany -
and as fast as possible. Until then, Kohl had thought it would take at least three or four years to bring the two Germanies together, but this day in Dresden made him realize that everything could go much faster. His spontaneous speech in Dresden turned into a rhetorical tightrope act. He knew he couldn’t disappoint the East Germans nor snub the four Allied Powers, and that "Any slip of the tongue would have been immediately interpreted in Paris, London or Moscow” as sign of nationalism. Thirty years later, Limbourg goes back to Dresden and talks to the political leaders of the time and to the citizens of Dresden who, like himself, witnessed that historic moment.
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Пікірлер: 87

  • @SiVlog1989
    @SiVlog1989 Жыл бұрын

    "Ladies and gentlemen, my dear young friends, dear fellow countrymen," what a masterful choice of words by Helmut Kohl to begin his speech in Dresden. It was probably the first time they experienced what West Germans had felt from the start of the division of Germany, that they felt that the German people were inseparable, that Germany didn't end with the Inner German border

  • @SiVlog1989

    @SiVlog1989

    9 ай бұрын

    *a reference to one of the signs placed by the Inner German Border that read: "Hier ist Deutschland nicht zu ende! Auch drüben ist Vaterland!" English translation: "Germany doesn't end here! The Fatherland is over there as well!"

  • @redskitter
    @redskitter3 жыл бұрын

    I'm not a German but i feel emotional when i watched this. I pray also that Korea will reunite soon.😭😭

  • @Z_worldwide

    @Z_worldwide

    3 жыл бұрын

    Unfortunately that is a lot less likely. The circumstances regarding the 2 Koreas is different from Germany. The Soviet union was dying in 1989, it couldn't manage itself much less its territories. China is still strong and shows no sign of letting go of North Korea. If only because it's a buffer state.

  • @cultulenergiei9713

    @cultulenergiei9713

    3 жыл бұрын

    SOS !. Romania is a State that practices Political and Religious Persecution. I Lungu Caius Octavian have been subjected for 20 years to a Total Blockade, Total Holocaust by the Branch, the EU ROU CS Caransebes of the Atlantido Globalist Organization Returned by Moses. Practically the Political Occult, Jurist, Crusade, Securitate of the West ROU Together with the Occult Christian Order of the Cross of Nayron Cristi. They considered me a guinea pig (Hidden Experiment) and forbade me: A) Access to the most basic sources of economic income., B) THEY FORBID ME TO HAVE CHILDREN., Threatening, blackmailing any girl who talks to me. ALL OF THIS HAPPENS IN A NATO MEMBER STATE. EU, LEADING BY A GERMAN PRESIDENT., I INFORMED THE PRESS AND THE EUROPEAN AUTHORITIES BUT THEY HIDDEN EVERYTHING. G: Rumänien ist ein Staat, der politische und religiöse Verfolgung praktiziert. I Lungu Caius Octavian ist seit 20 Jahren einer totalen Blockade, einem totalen Holocaust durch die Zweigstelle, der EU-Herde ROU CS Caransebes der von Moses zurückgekehrten Atlantido Globalist Organization, ausgesetzt. Praktisch der politische Okkultist, Jurist, Kreuzzug, Securitate der West-ROU zusammen mit dem okkulten christlichen Orden des Kreuzes von Nayron Cristi. Sie betrachteten mich als Versuchskaninchen (Verstecktes Experiment) und verboten mir: A) Zugang zu den grundlegendsten Quellen des wirtschaftlichen Einkommens. B) Sie verbieten mir, Kinder zu haben., Jedes Mädchen, das mit mir spricht, bedrohen, erpressen. All dies geschieht in einem NATO-Mitgliedsstaat. EU, FÜHREND VON EINEM DEUTSCHEN PRÄSIDENTEN. Ich habe die Presse und die europäischen Behörden informiert, aber sie haben alles versteckt.

  • @cultulenergiei9713

    @cultulenergiei9713

    3 жыл бұрын

    SOS! Rumänien ist ein Staat, der politische und religiöse Verfolgung praktiziert. I Lungu Caius Octavian ist seit 20 Jahren einer totalen Blockade, einem totalen Holocaust durch die Zweigstelle, der EU-Herde ROU CS Caransebes der von Moses zurückgekehrten Atlantido Globalist Organization, ausgesetzt. Praktisch der politische Okkultist, Jurist, Kreuzzug, Securitate der West-ROU zusammen mit dem okkulten christlichen Orden des Kreuzes von Nayron Cristi. Sie betrachteten mich als Versuchskaninchen (Verstecktes Experiment) und verboten mir: A) Zugang zu den grundlegendsten Quellen des wirtschaftlichen Einkommens. B) Sie verbieten mir, Kinder zu haben., Jedes Mädchen, das mit mir spricht, bedrohen, erpressen. All dies geschieht in einem NATO-Mitgliedsstaat. EU, FÜHREND VON EINEM DEUTSCHEN PRÄSIDENTEN. Ich habe die Presse und die europäischen Behörden informiert, aber sie haben alles versteckt.

  • @cultulenergiei9713

    @cultulenergiei9713

    3 жыл бұрын

    Plase helpe me!

  • @davidlonhol8016

    @davidlonhol8016

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@cultulenergiei9713 can we get in touch?(sunt unele intrebari despre care poate dunmneavoastra stiti mai multe).

  • @SiVlog1989
    @SiVlog1989 Жыл бұрын

    I know that in Eastern Germany there's anger, specifically about how Reunification was handled, but I have to say, as a Brit, seeing the Frauenkirche so beautifully restored after being destroyed in WW2, is a feel good story. If I get a chance to visit Dresden, I will undoubtedly visit the Frauenkirche

  • @frankmeier9918
    @frankmeier99184 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, Helmut!

  • @kimnovack2910
    @kimnovack29104 жыл бұрын

    My father met helmet and said he was a stand up guy!!

  • @Visionery1

    @Visionery1

    4 жыл бұрын

    @ Kim Novack, Helmut, pronounced Hel (as in HELish) and moot. :)

  • @MrSicc274
    @MrSicc2742 жыл бұрын

    Great documentary. Watching from South Auckland New Zealand

  • @pdd60absorbed12
    @pdd60absorbed124 жыл бұрын

    Great docs with spoken English or subs. Thank you.

  • @kimlog7476

    @kimlog7476

    4 жыл бұрын

    It would have been much better with the subs

  • @cultulenergiei9713

    @cultulenergiei9713

    3 жыл бұрын

    SOS!. Romania is a State that practices Political and Religious Persecution. I Lungu Caius Octavian have been subjected for 20 years to a Total Blockade, Total Holocaust by the Branch, the EU ROU CS Caransebes of the Atlantido Globalist Organization Returned by Moses. Practically the Political Occult, Jurist, Crusade, Securitate of the West ROU Together with the Occult Christian Order of the Cross of Nayron Cristi. They considered me a guinea pig (Hidden Experiment) and forbade me: A) Access to the most basic sources of economic income., B) THEY FORBID ME TO HAVE CHILDREN., Threatening, blackmailing any girl who talks to me. ALL OF THIS HAPPENS IN A NATO MEMBER STATE. EU, LEADING BY A GERMAN PRESIDENT., I INFORMED THE PRESS AND THE EUROPEAN AUTHORITIES BUT THEY HIDDEN EVERYTHING. G: Rumänien ist ein Staat, der politische und religiöse Verfolgung praktiziert. I Lungu Caius Octavian ist seit 20 Jahren einer totalen Blockade, einem totalen Holocaust durch die Zweigstelle, der EU-Herde ROU CS Caransebes der von Moses zurückgekehrten Atlantido Globalist Organization, ausgesetzt. Praktisch der politische Okkultist, Jurist, Kreuzzug, Securitate der West-ROU zusammen mit dem okkulten christlichen Orden des Kreuzes von Nayron Cristi. Sie betrachteten mich als Versuchskaninchen (Verstecktes Experiment) und verboten mir: A) Zugang zu den grundlegendsten Quellen des wirtschaftlichen Einkommens. B) Sie verbieten mir, Kinder zu haben., Jedes Mädchen, das mit mir spricht, bedrohen, erpressen. All dies geschieht in einem NATO-Mitgliedsstaat. EU, FÜHREND VON EINEM DEUTSCHEN PRÄSIDENTEN. Ich habe die Presse und die europäischen Behörden informiert, aber sie haben alles versteckt.

  • @cultulenergiei9713

    @cultulenergiei9713

    3 жыл бұрын

    SOS!. Rumänien ist ein Staat, der politische und religiöse Verfolgung praktiziert. I Lungu Caius Octavian ist seit 20 Jahren einer totalen Blockade, einem totalen Holocaust durch die Zweigstelle, der EU-Herde ROU CS Caransebes der von Moses zurückgekehrten Atlantido Globalist Organization, ausgesetzt. Praktisch der politische Okkultist, Jurist, Kreuzzug, Securitate der West-ROU zusammen mit dem okkulten christlichen Orden des Kreuzes von Nayron Cristi. Sie betrachteten mich als Versuchskaninchen (Verstecktes Experiment) und verboten mir: A) Zugang zu den grundlegendsten Quellen des wirtschaftlichen Einkommens. B) Sie verbieten mir, Kinder zu haben., Jedes Mädchen, das mit mir spricht, bedrohen, erpressen. All dies geschieht in einem NATO-Mitgliedsstaat. EU, FÜHREND VON EINEM DEUTSCHEN PRÄSIDENTEN. Ich habe die Presse und die europäischen Behörden informiert, aber sie haben alles versteckt.

  • @cultulenergiei9713

    @cultulenergiei9713

    3 жыл бұрын

    SOS!., Plase Helpe Me !

  • @tareqalbeesh9788
    @tareqalbeesh9788 Жыл бұрын

    I freaking love Germany and the German history.

  • @niggeli
    @niggeli4 жыл бұрын

    This was very eye opening document. Thank you.

  • @carlbyronrodgers
    @carlbyronrodgers4 жыл бұрын

    Very informative.

  • @Thang292
    @Thang2922 жыл бұрын

    He is truly the father of Germany 🙏

  • @aadithyaawali667
    @aadithyaawali6673 жыл бұрын

    Helmut the greatest European leader of 20th century

  • @norbertschmitz3358

    @norbertschmitz3358

    Жыл бұрын

    🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 from Germany

  • @adroitspartan7907
    @adroitspartan79074 жыл бұрын

    Great documentar on the behind the scenes story of German re-unification. Dresden is a great city. Is the Emil Reimann cafe still around with its red serviettes ?

  • @benzwithomies
    @benzwithomies3 жыл бұрын

    Never knew about German Reunification until this film quite Interesting

  • @styx4947
    @styx49473 жыл бұрын

    Hate to say it, but they(East Germany), didn't "accomplish" much. Essentially they built a mini version of the U.S.S.R. but in the German language. A gigantic forward operating base for the Red Army.

  • @bigbrain2178

    @bigbrain2178

    3 жыл бұрын

    yeah lel. The east was economically dead

  • @alexanderjacobsen7382
    @alexanderjacobsen73824 жыл бұрын

    Hans Mudrow; a sad, jealous man. He still is annoyed about the people taking away his power, and creates delusions to justify his stance ('Mixed reception'?!?!?!!?)

  • @jcreed09

    @jcreed09

    3 жыл бұрын

    Modrow was an anti-communist Nazi, then he was indoctrinated by the Soviets as a prisoner of war and became a committed Communist, shows he can't think for himself and is drawn to authoritarian regimes, he's either fascist or communist.

  • @nicolasg92lb
    @nicolasg92lb3 жыл бұрын

    Why would anyone dub this speech, subtitles would have been a much better choice. We lost so much of the emotion of the speech.

  • @rosiebook5207
    @rosiebook52072 жыл бұрын

    11.20 what is the green and white flag? I googled- doesn't seem to be East or West Germany's.

  • @ger13nunyah56
    @ger13nunyah564 жыл бұрын

    Cool

  • @ashutoshify9237
    @ashutoshify92374 жыл бұрын

    Ohh dw great thing after putin as well Infact all of yours. your research, screen transitions ❤️❤️🇮🇳

  • @SA2004YG
    @SA2004YG4 жыл бұрын

    Politics always get in the way of good things

  • @DWDocumentary

    @DWDocumentary

    4 жыл бұрын

    Hi goodvibration, despite your KZread name you did not see the good vibrations coming out of that day? Just joking...stay tuned & enjoy

  • @SA2004YG

    @SA2004YG

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@DWDocumentary the world is complex and things are rarely purely good or bad is all

  • @klaudiagrob
    @klaudiagrob2 жыл бұрын

    Excellent document. Well I'm glad that Germany reunited but everyone should have a benefit from this. People should appreciate the fact that there is no wall and they can go wherever they want in their own country. A lot of people in the East Germany feel that they were left behind. But not only there, there are people in Poland too who feel that they were left behind.

  • @eimisavageofficial9196
    @eimisavageofficial9196 Жыл бұрын

    German unity is just yesterday ..not old

  • @mohamudbishar3245
    @mohamudbishar32454 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, I love you 💕

  • @richardque4952
    @richardque49523 жыл бұрын

    Kohl remind me of truman or close between truman and cladius Single event that accidental throw him into center stages.but able to ride out of the storm.

  • @johnvicente7142
    @johnvicente71424 жыл бұрын

    Who's here on 2019 Dec

  • @jesseshadrack9326

    @jesseshadrack9326

    4 жыл бұрын

    Northern Stealth well it was uploaded a day ago, Ofcourse.

  • @juanparacchini4772
    @juanparacchini47723 жыл бұрын

    Next walls to come down.....the ones surrounding the european union, and the ones found in other big nations.

  • @lokendralimbu8910
    @lokendralimbu89102 жыл бұрын

    Yeah Deutschland

  • @raskltube
    @raskltube4 жыл бұрын

    Ireland hint hint

  • @greenknitter

    @greenknitter

    2 жыл бұрын

    I'm Irish and yes to reunification for us but not how it was done in Germany where the East Germans became second class citizens and West German capitalists scotched competition by buying up thousands of businesses for cents on the dollar and closing them throwing workers on the scrap heap. Treuhand was a disaster for East German workers and was not done according to democratic principles. My partner was born in the GDR and I know what happened there.

  • @bnkundwa
    @bnkundwa Жыл бұрын

    The world believed in German science. An important moment in German identity.

  • @julien344
    @julien3443 жыл бұрын

    When you tell about the ones who were still believing in the communist regime, "including public service", are you meaning that public services are a communist thing ? I do not understand.

  • @TheInternetFan
    @TheInternetFan4 жыл бұрын

    Maike Richter? Seriously? You couldn't get Kohl's sons to speak about their dad?

  • @mateuszkunda9400

    @mateuszkunda9400

    3 жыл бұрын

    what's wrong about her?

  • @riccardoesposito5317
    @riccardoesposito53173 жыл бұрын

    A Paoloooooo

  • @eimisavageofficial9196
    @eimisavageofficial9196 Жыл бұрын

    If east german exist it will be much better like north and south korea.. Central german leader ignore east german .. This problem will never stop ..

  • @lexied
    @lexied4 жыл бұрын

    They need reparations for the Germans murdered.

  • @kimnovack2910

    @kimnovack2910

    4 жыл бұрын

    Germans are strong people we dont need reperations we learn from the past and look to the future!!

  • @jcreed09
    @jcreed093 жыл бұрын

    "The Third Way" dear God, I remember that Pipe Dream of the naive poet Socialists of 1990...hoped GDR would continue as a democratic Communist-lite independent country, they were delusional.

  • @john10000ish
    @john10000ish4 жыл бұрын

    Europe's reunification with middle East will be something.

  • @appleslover

    @appleslover

    3 жыл бұрын

    NeoRoman Empire

  • @josephstalin8423
    @josephstalin84234 жыл бұрын

    Such a sad time in history!

  • @kimnovack2910

    @kimnovack2910

    4 жыл бұрын

    From ashes can the phoenix only fly again!!!

  • @mrslavinator1057
    @mrslavinator10573 жыл бұрын

    Personally I think the East Germans should’ve had more of a say in the re unification. It was clear that most of them didn’t want reunification. I see it as more of an Annexation rather than a reunification

  • @tainewarner5752

    @tainewarner5752

    Жыл бұрын

    Annexation rather than reunification ... what a load of rubbish

  • @JVendittelli
    @JVendittelli4 жыл бұрын

    Germany owes reparations to all of Europe. Take every German's wealth and give it to Europeans.

  • @JollyOldCanuck

    @JollyOldCanuck

    3 жыл бұрын

    They already paid their reparations, the Soviets stole it all, but they still paid it in full.

  • @mateuszkunda9400

    @mateuszkunda9400

    3 жыл бұрын

    Ha Ha Ha

  • @himanshubhushan4791

    @himanshubhushan4791

    3 жыл бұрын

    UK and France owe reparations to entire Africa, India,Pakistan, Middle East, Oceania. Give that first.

  • @Amiami-oy6pt

    @Amiami-oy6pt

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@himanshubhushan4791 Asia

  • @RoderikvanReekum

    @RoderikvanReekum

    Жыл бұрын

    Like at the end of World War 1, that worked out well!