Removal of Hungary's border fence with Austria

Quick Facts: Who was Removal of Hungary's border fence with Austria?

Subject:

Removal of Hungary's border fence with Austria

Known for:

The dismantling of the Iron Curtain border between Hungary and Austria in 1989.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

In May 1989, the Hungarian People's Republic began removing the barrier along its border with Austria, amidst the end of communism in Hungary, which was part of a broad wave of revolutions in various communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The border was still closely guarded and the Hungarian security forces tried to hold back refugees. The dismantling of the electric fence along the 240 kilometres (149 mi) long border was the first fissure in the Iron Curtain. The Pan-European Picnic then caused a chain reaction in East Germany that ultimately resulted in the demise of the Berlin Wall.

Career & Major Achievements

In April 1989, the Hungarian government ordered the electricity in the barbed-wire border fence along the Hungary–Austria border to be turned off. On 2 May, the Border Guard of Hungary began removing sections of the barrier, filmed by Western TV crews summoned for the occasion. On 27 June Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gyula Horn, and his Austrian counterpart, Alois Mock, held a symbolic fence-cutting ceremony at the Sopron (Hungary) border crossing. The open border meant that it was easier for Hungarians to cross into Austria for goods and services; many Hungarians availed themselves of this to purchase consumer goods which had been unavailable or scarce in their own country; a visible sign of this in the first few weeks was that many cars could be seen in Austrian towns such as Graz with washing machines strapped to them.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The most famous crossing came on 19 August, when, during the Pan-European Picnic between Austrians and Hungarians, over 900 East Germans on holiday in Hungary rushed the border and escaped into Austria and then travelled safely to West Germany. The open border infuriated East German officials, who feared a return to the days before the Berlin Wall, when thousands of East Germans fled daily to West Berlin. Although worried, the Soviet Union took no overt actions against Hungary, taking a hands-off approach.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1989: 1989 Milestone — In May 1989, the Hungarian People's Republic began removing the barrier along its border with Austria, amidst the end of communism in Hungary, which was part of a broad wave of revolutions in various communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Removal of Hungary's border fence with Austria

True or False: “Did the initial removal of the Hungarian-Austrian barrier happen immediately after the collapse of communism?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The process began in April 1989 when the government ordered electricity to be turned off, preceding the full dismantling.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. J. Ayer — Historical peer (Died in 1989) (1989): Influential English philosopher known for logical positivism and emotivism.
• Abbie Hoffman — Historical peer (Died in 1989) (1989): Iconic American activist, co-founder of the Yippies, and counterculture figure.
• René Antoine Ferchault de Réaumur — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Pioneering French natural scientist, renowned for entomology and the Réaumur temperature scale.
• René Barrientos — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Bolivian military officer and politician who served as the 47th President of Bolivia.
• René Belbenoît — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: French criminal and author known for escaping Devil's Island and publishing memoirs.
• René Caillié — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: French explorer renowned for being the first European to return alive from Timbuktu.

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