How did Berlin become the capital of reunified Germany?
Overview of the decision to make Berlinârather than Bonnâthe capital of reunified Germany.
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz; Thumbnail © Meinzahn/Dreamstime.com; © minnystock/Dreamstime.com; © Vasile Bobirnac/Dreamstime.com
-
EncyclopĂŠdia Britannica, Inc.Media Editor: Lauren Sims
-
EncyclopĂŠdia Britannica, Inc.
-
EncyclopĂŠdia Britannica, Inc.Some of the world's tallest mountains are actually growing.
-
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, MainzBrief overview of the women's movement in West Germany during the 1970s.
-
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, MainzLearn about the power struggle between Pope Gregory VII and King Henry IV of Germany, including the king's walk to Canossa.
-
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz; Thumbnail © Maximn/Dreamstime.comOverview of aerial bombardment in Europe during World War II, with a detailed discussion of the Battle of Britain.
-
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz; Thumbnail © Vasile Bobirnac/Dreamstime.com; © Badboo/Dreamstime.com; German Federal Archives (Bundesarchiv), Bild 183-1989-1118-018/Robert RoeskeLearn about the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
News •
City life leaves subtle genetic traces in Berlin squirrels
• Nov. 12, 2026, 8:40 AM ET (Phys.org)
The leader of a German conservative party is found dead at a Berlin hotel
• Nov. 5, 2026, 9:38 AM ET (AP)
Transcript
NARRATOR: Berlin or Bonn? In 1991 the question of the capital city is subject to passionate debate.
MICHAEL HERBIG: "Bonn always sounded a bit, well Bonn. Starting in the news, Bonn. It was really provincial, somehow. Please donât get me wrong, but thatâs how it was, Bonn.â
FRIEDHELM OST: "Bonn was straightforward. The government quarter was built on a grander scale. Everyone met everyone else three or five times a day. You just bumped into people. And of course Bonn did this republic a great service."
NARRATOR: In 1949 this Rhineland town was only meant as a provisional solution. It didnât find support from everyone.
ANTONIUS JOHN: "Tactical reasons played their role and utilitarian considerations - and I want to put this very carefully - utilitarian considerations that had been helped on their way. There was even an enquiry into blackmail."
NARRATOR: Konrad Adenauer is a devoted Rhinelander. He backs Bonn over Frankfurt. The Old Man, as the chancellor is known, relishes the home advantage. In the following 40 years, the second republic becomes the first stable democracy on German soil. Bonn isnât Weimar, they say. Six German chancellors go into office here, even after the former GDR joins West Germany in 1990. But with unification, the question of the capital comes up again. Bonn or Berlin? Itâs a passionate debate.
WILLY BRANDT: "Berlin was an outpost of freedom in hard times. It doesnât deserve to be palmed off with an honorary title without real content."
NORBERT BLĂM: "Bonn has not done its duty and can go."
NARRATOR: Again, the vote is tight. Itâs for Berlin. Relief and jubilation at the Spree. Where barbed wire and the wall once cut through the city, the biggest building site in Europe begins to take shape.
OST: "Of course Bonn did do a great service to the republic. Without the forerunner Bonn, the jump to Berlin wouldnât have worked so well."
NARRATOR: Many signals are set with the vote for Berlin.
MANFRED GĂRTEMAKER: "Since 1990 we have something new, which can definitely be described as the Berlin Republic. It is a term that underlines that things havenât just changed in the GDR, but also in the German Federal Republic and in Europe and in the world."
NARRATOR: The historical building dates back to the empire. The members of Parliament are aware of its controversial history.
WOLFGANG THIERSE: "We all agree that Berlin will stand for freedom and democracy, and for European politics."
MICHAEL HERBIG: "Bonn always sounded a bit, well Bonn. Starting in the news, Bonn. It was really provincial, somehow. Please donât get me wrong, but thatâs how it was, Bonn.â
FRIEDHELM OST: "Bonn was straightforward. The government quarter was built on a grander scale. Everyone met everyone else three or five times a day. You just bumped into people. And of course Bonn did this republic a great service."
NARRATOR: In 1949 this Rhineland town was only meant as a provisional solution. It didnât find support from everyone.
ANTONIUS JOHN: "Tactical reasons played their role and utilitarian considerations - and I want to put this very carefully - utilitarian considerations that had been helped on their way. There was even an enquiry into blackmail."
NARRATOR: Konrad Adenauer is a devoted Rhinelander. He backs Bonn over Frankfurt. The Old Man, as the chancellor is known, relishes the home advantage. In the following 40 years, the second republic becomes the first stable democracy on German soil. Bonn isnât Weimar, they say. Six German chancellors go into office here, even after the former GDR joins West Germany in 1990. But with unification, the question of the capital comes up again. Bonn or Berlin? Itâs a passionate debate.
WILLY BRANDT: "Berlin was an outpost of freedom in hard times. It doesnât deserve to be palmed off with an honorary title without real content."
NORBERT BLĂM: "Bonn has not done its duty and can go."
NARRATOR: Again, the vote is tight. Itâs for Berlin. Relief and jubilation at the Spree. Where barbed wire and the wall once cut through the city, the biggest building site in Europe begins to take shape.
OST: "Of course Bonn did do a great service to the republic. Without the forerunner Bonn, the jump to Berlin wouldnât have worked so well."
NARRATOR: Many signals are set with the vote for Berlin.
MANFRED GĂRTEMAKER: "Since 1990 we have something new, which can definitely be described as the Berlin Republic. It is a term that underlines that things havenât just changed in the GDR, but also in the German Federal Republic and in Europe and in the world."
NARRATOR: The historical building dates back to the empire. The members of Parliament are aware of its controversial history.
WOLFGANG THIERSE: "We all agree that Berlin will stand for freedom and democracy, and for European politics."
Last Modification: