In understanding the collapse of the Berlin Wall it is important to have some background knowledge of the Cold War. The Cold War was characterized by political and military confrontation between the Soviet Union and the United States and, or their allies. It spanned the period from the end of the second world war, that is from 1945 to the early 1990s.

What was the Cold War?

The term “Cold War” refers to the state of hostility, without direct military action, between the two superpowers: the superpowers or the United States of America and USSR. It was basically political in that it was communism versus capitalism.

The Berlin Wall

To properly grasp the importance of the event it is necessary to focus on the goal and making of the Berlin Wall.

In 1961, the German Democratic Republic better known as East Germany erected a wall dividing East and West Berlin. It was principally designed to ensure that the East Berlin citizens were barred from moving to West Berlin which was well-developed.

The wall, which was built in total length of 155 kilometers or 96 miles, was made of a concrete wall and watchtowers, anti-vehicle trenches and a cruel “death strip” zone in the middle of both sides which was heavily guarded.

The Fall of the Berlin Wall

The more important change in the nature of the Cold War that occurred at this time was the beginning of the dismantlement of the division in Germany: the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989. This was an event which signified the closure of the two Germany and later on reunification of Germany.

Catalysts for Change

The fall of the Berlin Wall was not a spontaneous event, but rather the result of various factors:

• Internal Pressure: The people of East Germany had begun to get frustrated with the oppressive government that was in place and the restrictions of their actions that came with it.
• Social Movements: Social actions and protests for political change have been escalating in East Germany.
• Political Changes: The drive towards political liberalization and a more relaxed attitude towards the East European states developed in the Soviet Union under the leadership of Mikhail Gorbachev, who initiated glasnost and perestroika.

The Historic Event

One of the most interesting moments of the ‘perestroika’ process was that on November 9, 1989 the government of the GDR with astonishment declared a possibility to open the borders. Huge numbers of people lined the various points of crossing including the checkpoint charlie as well as the bornholmer bridge, waiting to get into west Berlin.

With time people amassed at the barricades and pressured the border guards; the guards finally yielded and opened the gates to let the East Berliners into West Berlin. People came to embrace this event and look at it …as freedom plus one thing that amazed people was that families and friends that were separated for decades were reunited.

The Aftermath

The fall of the Berlin Wall had profound effects on Germany, Europe, and the world as a whole:

• German Reunification: After the division the two German states East and West Germany were officially reunified on October 3rd, 1990. This finally paved a way to the unification of Germany and the birth of a unified, democratic nation.
• End of the Cold War: The top event of the year was the resulting break-up of the Soviet Union and the cold war between the east and the west was eased by the fall of the Berlin Wall.
• European Integration: It led to increased freedom of movement from theEastern block to other parts of Europe America as well as helping the spread of several other democratic movements across most parts of Europe.

Conclusion

It is important to have an awareness of the Cold War and the events that led to the event in which the Berlin Wall fell. Symbolically the wall which was broken down was one of change, division concluded, and freedom sought.

With this event analyzed it gives a powerful understanding of the world and the turning point that hit not only Germany but the rest of the world as well.