Berlin - 1. Dangerous Ideas

The story of Berlin is one of a clash of ideas that would shape the modern world.

The 18th-century king Frederick the Great was a contradictory character whose legacy would define Berlin as a place of both aggressive militarism and enlightened idealism. He would be embraced as an icon by Hitler and, later, the Communist leaders in East Berlin. But Frederick's liberalism created a city in which new theories of sex and sexuality could flourish, inspiring groundbreaking art.

During the Cold War, the street that bore the king's name, Friedrichstrasse, was also brutally divided - and irreconcilable. Only after the Berlin Wall fell in 1989 was King Frederick returned to his desired resting place. The funeral was intended as a laying-to-rest of more than just a body. (R)

Broadcast on:

BBC Two, 11:50pm Tuesday 17th November 2009

First broadcast:

Saturday 14th November 2009

Duration:

60 minutes

Available until:

8:29pm Saturday 5th December 2009

Categories:

• Audio Described,
• Factual,
• History