During the Cold War, a German turned into a symbol of steadfastness in the face of Moscow

After the deterioration of relations between the former allies in World War II, the Soviet Union headed on June 24, 1948 to cut off all roads leading to West Berlin, thus declaring the beginning of what was known as the Berlin Blockade, which was classified at the time as one of the most important events of the Cold War.

Hoping to continue transporting supplies towards this besieged region under their influence, the Americans, the British and the French did not hesitate to establish an air bridge to supply West Berlin with its food and energy supplies. Thanks to this, the Soviets moved after about 10 months to end their siege, so that life could return to normal in West Berlin.

In the midst of this siege, the mayor of West Berlin, Ernst Reuter, emerged as one of the most prominent faces rejecting Soviet domination of the region. After being a supporter of Bolshevik thought in the past, Reuter turned into a prominent opponent of Moscow’s tendencies and ambitions in the region.

He was influenced by the Bolsheviks and met Lenin and Stalin

During the period of World War I, Ernst Reuter, born on July 29, 1889 in the city of Aabenraa of the German Empire at that time, joined the German army before being sent to fight against the Russians on the Eastern Front. After being wounded on the battlefield, Reuter was captured by the Russian army.

During his arrest, Reuter came into contact with Russian soldiers and was influenced by Bolshevik thought and the revolutionary values ​​that permeated the Russian Empire at that time. With the success of the Bolshevik Revolution, Bolshevik officials appreciated the role and capabilities of Ernst Reuter, who had met at some point in Lenin and Stalin. Later, Reuter attained an important position and was appointed People’s Commissar of what was then known as the Volga German Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.

Although Lenin commissioned him to form a pro-Bolshevik front in Berlin, Ernst Reuter was expelled from the Communist Party due to internal disagreements. With the rise of the Nazis, the latter fled Germany while enduring anti-Moscow ideas.

Popular thanks to the Berlin blockade

With the end of World War II, Ernst Reuter returned to Germany. Thanks to his popularity, the latter was elected mayor of West Berlin in June 1947. At the same time, the Soviet Union refused to recognize its authority over the region, while describing it as an opponent and a traitor.

With the beginning of the Soviet blockade of West Berlin, Ernst Reuter became a symbol of unity for the city’s residents, who rallied around him and acted on his advice. In front of the ruined Reichstag Palace, Ernst Reuter delivered a speech on September 9, 1948, to some 300,000 West Berliners who gathered to support him and hear his guidance. With this speech, Reuter urged the world not to abandon and support West Berlin. On the other hand, the latter denounced the Soviet blockade imposed on West Berlin and accused Moscow of detaining its residents and trading in their suffering.

Thanks to what he did during the siege, Reuter gained great popularity that allowed him to maintain his position until his death in 1953. During Reuter’s tenure, West Berlin witnessed the founding of the Free University of Berlin and the adoption of many reforms. Simultaneously, the latter called on the city authorities to provide protection and food for the East German population fleeing towards Berlin.