The rise and fall of the Berlin Wall - Konrad H. Jarausch

譯者: Szu-Wen Kung 審譯者: Marssi Draw

In the early hours of August 13, 1961,

1961 年 8 月 13 日凌晨

East German construction workers flanked by soldiers and police

東德的建築工 在軍人與警察的護衛下

began tearing up streets and erecting barriers throughout the city of Berlin

開始動工撕裂街道並築起障礙物

穿越整個柏林

and its surroundings.

及鄰近區域

This night marked the beginning of one of history's most infamous dividing lines,

這個夜晚見證史上 惡名昭彰隔離線的誕生

the Berlin Wall.

柏林圍牆

Construction on the wall continued for the next decade

城牆的建設持續了十年之久

as it cut through neighborhoods,

切割鄰里

separated families,

分散家庭

and divided not just Germany, but the world.

不只分裂德國還有全世界

To understand how we got to this point,

想了解造成此局面的原因

we have to go back to World War II.

我們必須回到第二次世界大戰

America, Britain, and France

美國、英國和法國

joined forces with the Soviet Union against the Axis Powers.

聯合蘇聯一同對抗軸心國

After they defeated Nazi Germany,

在德國納粹戰敗後

each of the victorious nations occupied part of the country.

每個戰勝國佔領德國的某個部分

The division was meant to be temporary,

這樣的分裂原本只是暫時的

but the former allies found themselves at odds

但之前的聯軍對戰後的歐洲

over their visions for post-war Europe.

彼此意見分歧

While Western powers promoted liberal market economies,

西方強權想提倡自由市場經濟

the Soviet Union sought to surround itself with obedient Communist nations,

蘇聯希望周圍都是順從的共產國家

including a weakened Germany.

包括衰敗的德國

As their relations deteriorated,

在雙方關係惡化後

the Federal Republic of Germany was formed in the West

德意志聯邦共和國在西德成立

while the Soviets established the German Democratic Republic in the East.

蘇聯在東德建立 德意志民主共和國

The Soviet satellite countries restricted Western trade and movement,

蘇聯的衛星國家限制 與西方的貿易交流與互動

so a virtually impassable border formed.

形成隱形的邊界

It became known as the Iron Curtain.

即著名的鐵幕

In the former German capital of Berlin, things were particularly complicated.

在德國的前首都柏林情勢尤為複雜

Although the city lay fully within the East German territory of the GDR,

儘管整個城市 隸屬東德的領土範圍內

the post-war agreement gave the allies joint administration.

戰後協議賦予同盟國聯合管轄權

So America, Britain, and France created a Democratic enclave

因此美、英、法在柏林西區

in Berlin's western districts.

成立民主領地

While East Germans were officially banned from leaving the country,

雖然東德人民 被明文禁止離境

in Berlin, it was simply a matter of walking,

實際上在柏林日常的步行

or riding a subway, streetcar or bus,

搭乘地鐵、電車或公車

to the Western half,

便能輕易到達西邊

then traveling on to West Germany or beyond.

然後進入西德或其他國家

This open border posed a problem for the East German leadership.

這道門戶大開的邊界 為東德的領導階層帶來麻煩

They had staked a claim to represent the Communist resistance against Hitler

他們宣示代表共產主義對抗希特勒

and portrayed Western Germany as a continuation of the Nazi regime.

並將西德型塑成 希特勒政權的延續

While the U.S. and its allies poured money into West Germany's reconstruction,

當美國及其同盟國 為西德注入資金幫助重建

the Soviet Union extracted resources from the East as war reparations,

蘇聯則從東德擷取資源 作為戰敗賠償

making its planned economy even less competitive.

這讓東德的經濟前景更缺乏競爭力

Life in East Germany passed under the watchful eye of the Stasi,

東德人的生活受到 東德國家安全部的嚴密監視

the secret police whose wiretaps and informants monitored citizens

祕密警察透過監聽和線民監視市民

for any hint of disloyalty.

防範對國家每一絲的不忠誠

While there was free health care and education in the East,

儘管東德的醫療和教育免費

the West boasted higher salaries,

西德則吹擂較高的薪資

more consumer goods,

更多民生物質

and greater personal freedom.

及更多的個人自由

By 1961, about 3.5 million people, nearly 20% of the East German population,

到 1961 年約三百五十萬人 佔東德總人口的近 20%

had left, including many young professionals.

離開東德 包括許多年輕的專業人士

To prevent further losses,

為防止進一步的人才流失

East Germany decided to close the border, and that's where the Berlin Wall came in.

東德決定關閉邊界 柏林圍牆因此而建

Extending for 43 kilometers through Berlin,

穿越柏林市的牆長 43 公里

and a further 112 through East Germany,

貫穿整個東德的牆 長達 112 公里

the initial barrier consisted of barbed wire and mesh fencing.

起初的圍牆主要是 帶刺鐵絲網與鐵網柵欄構成

Some Berliners escaped by jumping over the wire

有些柏林市民跳越過鐵絲

or leaving from windows,

或跳窗脫逃東德

but as the wall expanded, this became more difficult.

但當圍牆擴建後難度則變高

By 1965, 106 kilometers of 3.6-meter-high concrete barricades had been added

截至 1965 年已加蓋 長 106 公里高 3.6 公尺的水泥牆

topped with a smooth pipe to prevent climbing.

牆頭上加裝光滑管防止攀爬

Over the coming years, the barrier was strengthened with spike strips,

接下來幾年還不斷強化 增加釘刺帶

guard dogs,

護衛犬

and even landmines,

甚至地雷

along with 302 watchtowers and 20 bunkers.

沿牆還建有 302 座哨塔 與 20 個碉堡

A parallel fence in the rear set off a 100-meter area called the death strip.

位於牆後 100 公尺處有道平行的柵欄 兩者之間為所謂的死亡地帶

There, all buildings were demolished and the ground covered with sand

在此範圍內的建築物都被拆除 地上鋪上沙子

to provide a clear line of sight for the hundreds of guards

提供上百名警衛一目了然的視野

ordered to shoot anyone attempting to cross.

下令射殺企圖越牆的人們

Nevertheless, nearly 5,000 people in total managed to flee East Germany

儘管如此 在 1961 到 1989 年間

between 1961 and 1989.

仍有近五千人逃離東德

Some were diplomats or athletes who defected while abroad,

有的是外交人員或運動員 趁在國外時脫逃

but others were ordinary citizens who dug tunnels,

但其他平民百姓則是挖地道

swam across canals,

游過運河

flew hot air balloons,

搭乘熱氣球

or even crashed a stolen tank through the wall.

甚至開偷來的坦克車推垮圍牆

Yet the risk was great.

但是風險很高

Over 138 people died while attempting escape.

超過 138 人在企圖逃逸時死亡

Some shot in full view of West Germans powerless to help them.

西德人眼睜睜目睹 逃亡者被射殺，卻幫不上忙

The wall stabilized East Germany's economy by preventing its work force from leaving,

圍牆防止勞力流失 穩定東德經濟

but tarnished its reputation,

但也惡名昭彰

becoming a global symbol of Communist repression.

在國際間成了 共產主義高壓的象徵

As part of reconciliation with the East,

西德在與東德調解的過程中

the Basic Treaty of 1972 recognized East Germany pragmatically

於 1972 年簽訂兩德基礎條約 實質上承認了東德

while West Germany retained its hope for eventual reunification.

但同時也抱持最終的統一大願

Although the Eastern regime gradually allowed family visits,

東德政權逐漸允許探視家人

it tried to discourage people from exercising these rights

但藉由困難的官僚程序和高額費用

with an arduous bureaucratic process and high fees.

遏阻人們這麼做

Nonetheless, it was still overwhelmed by applications.

儘管如此，申請數量仍舊龐大

By the end of the 1980's,

到 80 年代末期

the liberalization of other Eastern Bloc regimes

蘇聯集團政權的解放

caused mass demonstrations for free travel and demands for democracy.

引發大規模抗議 訴求旅行自由與民主

On the evening of November 9, 1989,

在 1989 年 11 月 9 日的夜晚

East Germany tried to defuse tension by making travel permits easier to obtain.

東德簡化旅行核可的申請 試圖藉此緩和緊張的局面

But the announcement brought thousands of East Berliners

不過消息一出 讓上千位東柏林居民

to the border crossing points in the wall,

湧向柏林圍牆兩德邊界處

forcing the surprised guards to open the gates immediately.

迫使吃驚的警衛立即打開閘門

Rejoicing crowds poured into West Berlin

欣喜若狂的民眾湧入西柏林

as people from both sides danced atop the wall.

兩邊的人們在牆頭上手舞足蹈

And others began to demolish it with whatever tools they could find.

有人用隨手可得的工具動手拆牆

Although the border guards initially tried to maintain order,

雖然起初邊界警衛試著維持秩序

it was soon clear that the years of division were at an end.

多年的分隔明顯畫上句點

After four decades, Germany was officially reunified in October 1990.

四十年後德國 在 1990 年10 月正式統一

And the Soviet Union fell soon after.

蘇聯隨後不久即垮臺

Today, parts of the wall still stand as a reminder

今日部分圍牆遺跡仍在

that any barriers we put up to impede freedom,

提醒人們任何建立 用來阻礙自由的障礙

we can also break down.

我們同樣可以拆除