Thousands flock to a demonstration organized by the German peace movement in Bonn’s Hofgarten
Towards the end of the 1970s, West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt warned his countrymen that the deployment of Soviet SS-20 medium-range missiles had upset the delicate nuclear balance established during the Cold War, threatening Western Europe, which lacked equivalent weapons. Many Europeans began to doubt that the USA would respond to a Soviet attack on Western Europe with intercontinental missiles, thereby risking its own destruction. From 1979, NATO followed a dual strategy: the deployment of its own medium-range nuclear missiles in Western Europe, and a simultaneous offer to negotiate with the Soviet Union on their limitation. However, this resulted in hardening of positions between East and West, especially since the Soviet Union had just invaded Afghanistan.
The increase in East–West tensions boosted the German peace movement, which attracted support from many ordinary citizens in both states. On 10 October 1981, the West German peace movement organized the largest mass demonstration in West German history, with some 300,000 people gathering in the Hofgarten in Bonn. Ordinary citizens followed the tense negotiations between East and West, responding with demonstrations. After negotiations broke down, half a million people gathered in Bonn in 1982. In the wake of this collapse, well over a million people took part in peace demonstrations across Germany in 1983. Ultimately, US cruise and Pershing missiles were deployed to Germany despite opposition from over 60% of German citizens. Two years later, the new Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev contacted the USA to discuss disarmament. This eased tensions and weakened the German peace movement.
About the Deutschlandmuseum
An immersive and innovative interactive museum covering 2,000 years of German history
The whole year at a glance
