Officially, the origin time of Berlin has been assumed around 13th century. But, few archeologists suggest that the city was already established approximately 45 years before the officially announced time. The suburb of Spandau and Köpenick which joined the city in 1920 was first mentioned in 1197 and 1209 respectively. Cölln (on the Fisher Island); the central part of Berlin was first time mentioned in 1237. During the reign of Fredrick II; the city got special recognition and known as the capital of the Margraviate of Brandenburg. Citizens’ revolt was a crucial time period in Berlin history. After the defeat of citizens in the protest in 1448 against the construction of a new royal palace by Elector Frederick II Irontooth; the city became the royal residence of the Brandenburg electors and officially became Lutheran.
The most brutal time in the history of Berlin was the period of thirty years’ war between 1618 and 1648. It has been assumed that approximately one third houses and half of the population were lost. The great elector Frederick William initiated a policy of promoting immigration and religious tolerance and its consequences was the twenty percent occupancy of French and their cultural influence in Berlin’s residents by 1700. Other immigrants were Bohemia, Poland and Salzburg. Industrial revolution during 19th century perfectly transformed the city’s economy and hence population also increased. Eventually in 1871; it became the capital of the newly founded German Empire.
On 30th January 1933 Nazi Party came into the power and destroyed Jewish community. After the end of the war in Europe, Berlin again received number of refugees from the Eastern provinces. Soon two German states formed and cold war started. Due to the intense cold war; Berlin wall was constructed on 13th August 1961. But, the transition in market based economy in East Germany created pressure and citizens gained free access across the Berlin wall on 9th November 1989. Eventually, on 3rd October 1990 the two parts were reunified as the Federal of Germany. |
