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Berlin Wall and the Cold War: A Comprehensive Guide

by | Mar 7, 2024 | Cold War Tour Berlin

Introduction

Berlin Wall remains one of the most originate markers of the Cold War. East Germany constructed the wall in 1961 separating the city of Berlin physically and symbolically for nearly three decades. This all-embracing Berlin Wall guide will incorporate the briefly mentioned historical information, information about building, meaning, and consequences.

 

1. Historical Background

The post World War Two division of Germany into west and east blockages was the beginning of the Cold War. The cold war between America and Russia goes on and on culminating to building of the wall in Berlin.

 

1.1 East and West Germany

During the post World War II, the country was divided into four occupation zones across the entire territory of Germany. under Soviet administration, the eastern part at that was known as the German Democratic Republic (East Germany). The western sectors constituted the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany), friends of the United States of America and allied countries.

 

1.2 The Iron Curtain

The term ‘Iron Curtain’ used by President of the United States, Winston Churchill meant a curtain of orthodoxy and steel that bisects Europe from East and West parallel to the role of a curtain that separates the stage from the audience. The physical barrier representing this split, was the Berlin Wall.

 

2. The construction of the Berlin Wall.

Berlin wall was erected in the early morning of the 13th of August, 1961. It was mainly as a result of increased emigration of east Germans to the west which was a more developed part, and the facility was arranged by the soviet union.

 

2.1 Wall Structure

The Berlin Wall was built entirely of standard concrete interlocking blocks at certain intervals; it even featured barbed wire and checkpoints protected by armed personnel. This stretched about 155 kilometers, it encompassed West Berlin and made it impossible for anyone to travel between the east and the west.

 

2.2 Checkpoints

However, for those people who were allowed to cross the wall, there were several check-point lines created for passage through the wall. Checkpoint Charlie, was situated within the Friedrichstraße crossing was probably the most well known of them all.

 

3. Significance and Impact

The Berlin Wall divided democracy and communism and the wall falling signified the bringing of Cold War to an end. It is about time to discuss its relevance and implications in greater depth.

 

3.1 Political Symbol

Berlin Wall was first and foremost Iron Curtain and division of communist world and the west during the cold war period. It was serving as a symbol of the conflict of the two ideologies of the East and the West.

 

3.2 Escaping Oppression

For east germans the wall was a dividing line between themselves and the goodies existing in the west. Several people even tried to cross over or sneak under this wall risking the Here, their dear lives.

 

3.3 Fall and Reunification

The event that did much to highlight the end at the then known world was the falling of the Berlin Wall on 9th November 1989. It resulted in the German reunification in October 1990 and the Dissolution of USSR later.

 

4. Aftermath and Legacy

The Fall of the Berlin Wall, the unification of Germany and Europe were not simple changes, but were the significant changes to the greater portion of the World. It helps to remember division and the victory over oppressive authorities up to today.

 

4.1 Memorialization

Many types of monuments and museums have been installed to pay tribute to the Berlin Wall and fight for liberty. Among the parts of the wall painted with murals, the piece called the East Side Gallery is famous among tourists.

 

4.2 Global Impact

The break down of the Berlin Wall put an end to the Cold War and the division of the world powers. It provided a sense of hope of democracy and led to further dictat to Pro-Democracy movements all over Eastern Europe.

 

Conclusion

The barrier that divided Germany as part of the Cold War architecture was the Berlin Wall. It was built, crucial for the history course, and then fell to the ground. Analyzing the background of the construction and the existence of the Berlin Wall offers valuable knowledge of the combating sides of the Cold War.

Berlin Wall and the Cold War: A Comprehensive Guide