MOSCOW, November 5, 2009. Russian Public Opinion research Center (VCIOM) presents the data about who and why, in views of Russians, erected the Berlin Wall, and what caused the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Only 24% of Russians are aware of the fact that the Berlin Wall was constructed by the USSR and German Democratic Republic. Respondents who are most aware of that are 45-59-year-old Russians (28-29%), Muscovites, St.Petersburgians and residents of big cities (29%). Ten percent is confident that the construction was due to the initiative of Germany and residents of Berlin; 6% think that it was western allies and Federal Republic of Germany; according to 4% of respondents, it was a bilateral initiative of the USSR and allies. Fifty-eight percent of respondents do not know whose initiative it was to construct the Berlin Wall.
The main reason of the erection of the Berlin Wall, which is strengthening of the USSR`s position, protection of the communist regime against the influence of West and prevention of mass migration of people to West Germany, is properly understood by 24% of Russians. Those who gave correct answer were primarily elderly citizens (33%) and metropolitan residents (32%). Second popular answer was "manifestation of the Cold War" and redistribution of the spheres of influence (19%). Other answers were as follows: prevention of conflict and a new war, prevention of resurgence of fascism (4%), and symbolic boundary between the two states (3%). Half of respondents do not know anything about the purpose of the Berlin Wall Construction (50%).
The basic reason that led to the fall of the Berlin Wall, which is the USSR`s policy change and weakening of its influence, is known for 27% of Russians. Most of them are respondents aged above 35 (30-32%), Muscovites and St.Petersburgians (43%). Second popular reason mentioned by Russians is dissatisfaction of the residents of Germany (21%). Three percent think that the Berlin Wall was demolished because of the warming relations between the countries. Nevertheless, 52% of our fellow-citizens do not know why the Berlin Wall fell.
Those who are not aware of who and why constructed the Berlin Wall, as well as why it what demolished, are basically 18-24-year-old Russians (70-79%) and residents of Russian rural area (59-67%).
The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on October 31 - November 1, 2009. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 140 sampling points in 42 regions of Russia. Themargin of error does not exceed 3.4 %.
In your opinion, who erected the Berlin Wall? | |
USSR, German Democratic Republic | 24 |
Germany, residents of Berlin | 10 |
Western Allies, Federal Republic of Germany | 6 |
It was a bilateral initiative of USSR and allies | 4 |
Other | 0 |
Hard to tell | 58 |
In your opinion, why the Berlin Wall was built? | |
To strengthen the USSR`s position, to protect communist regime against pernicious influence of West, to prevent mass migration of people to West Germany | 24 |
This is one of manifestations of the Cold War, redistribution of spheres of influence between East and West | 19 |
To prevent conflicts or a new war , to prevent resurgence of fascism | 4 |
It was the symbolic boundary between the two states | 3 |
It was a meaningless and stupid decision, whim of politicians | >1 |
Other | >1 |
Hard to tell | 50 |
In your opinion, what led to the fall of the Berlin Wall? | |
A change in USSR`s policy , weakening influence of the USSR | 27 |
Dissatisfaction of the residents of Berlin | 21 |
Warming relations between the two nations | 3 |
Other | >1 |
Hard to tell | 52 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or www.wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!