h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: The Berlin Wall - A2424638
Author: broelan - U155058

Skankyrich's 'Walls' entry has prompted me to revisit this, because in trying to come up with a snippet for him, it seems there really should be an entry for this.

The problem is that this has already been edited, as part of Mu Beta's Billy Joel project.

What changes or adjustments can I make to this to make it an entry worthy of the Guide on its own?

I have a few new avenues you could open up with regard to this entry.

You could mention that it was the world's longest graffiti art gallery? Make mention of the cultural significance of the wall?

There's more than one faceoff between Soviet and Western troops that could've triggered WW3 to mention (General Clay's dispatch of ten tanks to Checkpoint Charlie which put them nose-to-nose with the Russians for 17 hours, springs to mind).

If you wanted to delve into the political situation prior to the wall, a mention of the Berlin airlift could be added.

One thing you haven't mentioned is the location of Berlin - it was completely enclosed by East Germany - with no land access to the West at all. That's probably key to setting the scene, with West Berlin being an outpost "deep in enemy territory" as it were.

And surely that last paragraph can be extended? A bit of the fall of the USSR, the re-uniting of East & West Germany? Pad it out a bit.

Otherwise, this is a great starting point for what could be a comprehensive entry on one of the 20th Century's defining landmarks.

Are there any quotes from people with perspectives on this you may add?

The Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall were two defining moments of the 20th century political landscape. This entry seems to have plenty about the Rise, but perhaps a bit more background around the Fall. Obviously it was significant for the people of Berlin and Germany, but there is the global impact of the end of the Cold War, and all those revolutions in 89 and the fall of the eastern bloc.

Whilst the wall coming down was a symptom rather than a cause, it was an incredibly powerful symbol of the, umm, zeitgeist.

Some quotes would be nice. Anyone from Berlin around?

I'm sure a quick message in Ask will find out if any Berliners are about.

Given that it's the busy season, I'm probably going to put this off until after the first of the year. I'll leave it here in the meantime in case anyone else has suggestions.

I have a few other old entries I could probably expand to EG worthiness, too.

If you'd like, I'll hit the Cold War reference books?

By all means

I've got a week off work over Christmas, so I'll do you a little report on the wall before the end of the year. Just because I'm pining for my dearly departed History course, you understand?

Did you kknow that there is a wall museum in (former) West Berlin?
http://www.mauermuseum.de/english/frame-index-mauer.html

I remember going there when we made our school trip to West Berlin 30 years ago. It was so crazy the means people thought up to escape.

I totally forgot about this! Fortunately, I got a nice new Cold War book for Christmas, so that should have some nice information!

There's no rush. I haven't given it any thought at all yet.

I will though! Maybe towards the end of the month, or next month. I've got so many other things to catch up first.

you don't need to add a pic the scouts etc can do that

Hey broe? You still about? Working on this?

Are you still working on this, broelan?

This entry has great potential. Are you still working on it?

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Oooh, um.... hello
I didn't remember having this anywhere in the pipeline, which would explain why I haven't done anything with it in four years. Probably I was feeling optimistic about it before my internet access was cut off.

I'm back online now, but I really don't have the time to dedicate to this entry. It definitely needs to be written, but I can't be the one to do it (at least not in the forseeable future). Anyone wishing to have a go at this, you have my blessing.

Broelan hasn't posted since March and this entry created over a decade ago and has been in the Edited Guide Writing Workshop for several years. Broelan's last comment here was ' It definitely needs to be written, but I can't be the one to do it (at least not in the forseeable future). Anyone wishing to have a go at this, you have my blessing' so I've moved it from Edited Guide Writing Workshop to the Flea Market: F74125?thread=8309347

Should Broelan return and want to tackle this entry himself, he can simply click on the 'remove' icon next to the entry on the <./>Writing-Fleamarket</.> page.

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