The images of the demolition of the Berlin Wall on November 9th, 1989, are still vivid in the memories of millions around the world. However, that day was only the culmination of a larger Peaceful Revolution in Eastern Germany that did not always produce such impressive graphical material as the fall of the wall. What were the preconditions for November 9th, and finally to the unification of Germany? And how does the German Peaceful Revolution compare to, for example, movements in Iran, Ukraine, and Burma? Can it inform the dynamics of peaceful revolutions around the world today and in the future? Or is each country so uniquely defined by its history and culture that global comparisons of peaceful revolution are wishful thinking?

Speaker:

Matthias Matussek German journalist at Der Spiegel

Vera Lengsfeld German politician, human rights activist, author

Charles Maier Professor of History, Harvard University

Kelly Golnoush Niknejad Founder, Editor-in-Chief, Tehran Bureau

Stefanie Friedhoff Special projects manager at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard