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Cold War Berlin Wall Facts

by | Mar 7, 2024 | Cold War Tour Berlin

Berlin Wall was one of the strong representatives of the Cold War as the large concrete wall that separated East and West Berlin from 1961 through 1989. Constructed by the Government of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), the wall had turn into an agonizing phrase which manifested the sharp geopolitical rift of the time. It is with this in mind that in this article, the reader will be taken through some facts about the Berlin Wall that should help in understanding it better.

 

1. Construction and Demolition

The actual building of the wall started on August 13, 1961, the actual wall comprised of the concrete wall, a wire barricade, and watch towers. The aim was towards stopping general migration from the East to the West Germany. This wall was existing for nearly 28 years and finally pulled down on November 9 1989 because of political changes in Eastern Europe.

 

2. Length and Components

These included the BBW proper, which was approximately 155 kilometers (96 miles) long, of which the incorporated Greifswalder Tunnel and project Toilet were 1.5 and 1.3 kilometers long, respectively. It consisted of a concrete wall which was 3.6 meters high, 1.2 meters wide. It also had a ‘death strip’ a band of approximately 30 meters (98 feet) wide, equipped with anti-vehicle trenches, barbed wire, and tripwires and watchtower.

 

3. Impact on Berliners

This paper will how the presence of the Berlin wall influenced the lives of Berliners. Some people lost their loved ones and others were left behind on each side of the wall. Wall was the symbol of the division of the city and created the mood of both fear, loneliness and hopelessness for anybody who lived in the east side of Berlin.

 

4. Escape Attempts

Thanks to this feature, many people attempted dangerous staking for freedom even through the Berlin wall was rather solid. Others attempted to scale over it or attempted to find their way through by digging a tunnel to West Berlin. Others had to adopt rudimentary techniques like hot air balloon, zipline and others even went camouflaged in vehicles. Some were not successful and those that received the information faced very serious repercussions if caught.

 

5. Checkpoint Charlie

Checkpoint Charlie was one of the remarkable division crossing tips between East and West Berlin. , It has gained its relevance because of the division of the world between the superpowers of the world- the United States and Soviet Union during the Cold War period. Such dramatic moments were observed at the checkpoint, for instance, the tank confrontation between American and Soviet tanks in 1961.

 

6. The Fall of the Wall

It is totally relevant to mark the Berlin Wall’s fall in 1989 as the beginning of the end of Cold War. This was for the reason that it came about through a cocktail of political and social transformation in Eastern Europe. It was said that the Brandenburg gate was opened 9th November 1989 always people can cross between east and west Berlin within ease. The bringing down of the wall set a series of events which culminated in the unification of Germany in 1990.

 

Conclusion

The Berlin Wall is an example of how societies in the development of the cold war and most especially during the cold war stage were divided. Its building and destruction represent the victory of freedom and aiming at individuals in opposition to the divider of authorities. Knowledge of events related to the construction of the Berlin Wall brings attention to the everyday struggle of people living under dictatorship and should remind people of the need to protect the rights of minorities..

Cold War Berlin Wall Facts