The movie last month about the building and eventual fall of the Wall left us excited, overwhelmed, and thankful. But what came afterwards? Join us for the movie After the Wall: A World United by Executive Producer and Houstonian John Hesse on Thursday, September 18, 2014, at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall, 2353 Rice Boulevard, Houston, TX 77005.
Politicians, peaceful protesters, and the general population in the former East Germany did not want to become part of West Germany. Would there be one Germany, and what kind of Germany would there be? Would it be a socialist state? The Russians, especially the Generals, were frantic that they would have to go home now; the good days were over. There were at least half a million Russian soldiers in East Germany. Would they indeed leave, would they leave for good?
Gorbachev faced severe criticism within Russia over the fall of the Wall. Declassified papers from that time show that serious thought was given to leave the Soviet military in place, while also stationing NATO soldiers in East Germany. Another, serious recommendation from a Russian expert on Germany was to build up the Wall again, even if it would take one million Russian soldiers to seize control of the former Russian-controlled East.
German allies in the West were lukewarm about the two Germanys joining. Neither the French nor the English wanted a united Germany. Margaret Thatcher is supposed to have said that she loved Germany so much, she “would love to have two of them.”
We cordially invite you to join us on Thursday for the showing of After the Wall – A World United. Last time we were about 60 people. Please respond now to angelika@houstonleipzig.org to let us know that you’re coming, because we have to give the caterer good numbers by Tuesday.
Registration will begin at 6:15 p.m., the movie at 7:00 p.m. Meeting fees are $10 for members, $5 for students, and $15 for nonmembers, regardless of whether you participate in the reception. Ample parking is available on the Rice University parking lot off Greenbriar for $1, credit cards only.
Bring a neighbor, bring a friend and let’s remember what happened when German became united.