1990 - 1999
"Blühenden Landschaft" (flourishing landscape)
In 1990, the then-German Chancellor Helmut Kohl coined the term "Blühende Landschaft" (flourishing landscape). In a televised speech, he announced his vision of a promising economic future for the new federal states.
After the fall of the Berlin Wall, however, the West German consumer wave spills over. On August 8th, 1990, the largest German supermarket chain opened its first store in the East, followed by other companies.
Two Plus Four Agreement
On September 12th, 1990, the Two Plus Four Agreement is signed in Moscow. The two German states and the four victorious powers of the Second World War – the USA, the USSR, France, and Great Britain – are signees. It establishes the final internal and external sovereignty of a united Germany. It takes effect on March 15th, 1991.
Attacks on the "Sunflower House“ in Rostock-Lichtenhagen
Riots with right-wing extremist backgrounds increase sharply in the 1990s. Attacks on the "Sunflower House“ in Rostock-Lichtenhagen take place between August 22 and 26, 1992. These attacks are considered the most severe racially and xenophobically motivated attacks in Germany since the end of the Second World War.
First trial of the Berlin Wall shootings
On September 2nd, 1991, the first trial of the Berlin Wall shootings begins. The four border guards are accused of shooting Chris Gueffroy at the Berlin Wall on February 5th, 1989. Chris Gueffroy was the penultimate fatality at the Berlin Wall and also the last victim to die from the use of firearms.
The destruction of these Stasi files
As profound political upheavals announce themselves in the GDR in the fall of 1989, the State Security (Stasi) starts destroying files on a large scale, beginning in November. Citizens form vigils and occupy the office buildings to prevent the destruction of these Stasi files. Their actions save a large proportion of the documents. On December 29th, 1991, the „Stasi Records Act“ comes into force, regulating access to files and granting those affected access to their files.
Club scene
In Berlin, in particular, a veritable revolution in club culture takes place in 1989. The fall of the Berlin Wall is not only a political turning point but also the beginning of a new club scene6 specializing in techno music. Berlin has no curfew but plenty of free spaces and buildings. This attracts many techno enthusiasts to the metropolis.
Digital mobile telephony
In the summer of 1992, digital mobile telephony is introduced in Germany. Initially, the „Motorola International 3200“ – with a weight of more than 500 grams, a battery capacity for up to 120 minutes of talk time, and a price of around DM 3,000 – prevails.
Withdrawal of the Red Army
The final withdrawal of the Red Army from the territory of the former GDR and East Berlin takes place in 1994. The withdrawal was stipulated in the Two Plus Four Treaty and took over four years. For decades over 330,000 Soviet soldiers lived with their families in 3,000 barracks on the territory of the former GDR.
