The Cold War was a period of intense political tension and military rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union, lasting from the late 1940s to the early 1990s. Germany and Berlin were at the epicenter of this geopolitical conflict, divided by a physical and ideological barrier known as the Berlin Wall. In this blog post, we will explore the impact of the Cold War on Germany and the city of Berlin, and how a map can help us understand this complex historical period.
1. The Division of Germany
Following World War II, Germany was divided into two separate entities: The two Germany were the Federal Republic of Germany formally known as West Germany linked to the western powers and the German Democratic Republic, commonly known as East Germany and under Soviet influence. It stemmed from The Yalta Conference which was held in 1945.
Thus the division of Germany happened mainly on theoretical differences between the Soviets and the Western Allies. While the Western powers were aiming at democracy, capitalisation, and free markets the Soviet Union wanted communism and a socialist economy.
The Berlin Wall
Germany had Berlin as its capital; West Berlin was a pocket of capitalism in the heart of East Germany while East Berlin was part of the USSR. In order not to lose its population to the western part of Germany, the east German government built the widely condemned Berlin Wall in 1961.
This wall of concrete was a material representation of the cold war which separated families, friends and a nation for nearly three decades. The wall was surrounded with watchtowers, barbed wire on its both sides and a ‘death strip’ to ensure nobody tried to escape from East Germany.
- The Impact on Berlin
The impact of the division of Berlin was felt both on citizens and on the city at large, as this paper argues. The soviet union under its control in East Berlin also maintained a regime of communism that curtailed individualism and innate ideals of a population served by ubiquitous watchful eyes. West Berlin, on the other hand, did get the shining economic developments and emerged as an icon of anti-Soviet spirit.
More so during the cold war period spying and counter spying was rife in Berlin with each side keen on observing the other side. Some past well known episodes are construction of spy tunnels by the USA and the USSR among other substantial instances indicative of the spying era.
The Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie or Charlie Checkpoint was one of the best known border crossings between East and West Berlin in the Cold War period. It was built in the Friedrichstraße crossing and over time it assumed the look of the tension point and focus for diplomatic incidents. The checkpoint itself is still visible today and the tired visitors can find several information panels presenting the history of Checkpoint Charlie.
- Understanding with Maps
Cartography cannot be dismissed as a means of studying history; therefore, taking stock of the maps can help in gaining the understanding of the effects of the Cold War on Germany and Berlin. Here are a few ways in which maps can help:
Visualization of the Division
One should try to use a map of Germany and Berlin in order to show the physical separation of East and West. This way, boundaries, such as the Berlin Wall or the border between East and West Germany, make it easier for the learners to understand the degree of the division.
Geopolitical Influences
They also allow for the geopolitical forces to come out clearly during the cold war. For instance, the situation of military facilities and direct diplomatic presence could be demonstrated on a map, as well as the geopolitical relations that led to the confrontation of two worldviews.
Historical Events
It is possible to compile historical overviews that are connected with the events that took place during the Cold War on maps. For example, a map can use the significant and valuable features such as the construction and demolition of the Berlin Wall and other fight, negotiate, and spy important for Germany and Berlin zones.
Conclusion
The division of the country and the city during the Cold War was the cause of unfavorable changes in the lives of millions of people. It is pertinent to grasp the historical background of this period so as to appreciate or deduce the experience of the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the division of Germany.
Maps are another effective aid for the students as the primary concepts and events of the Cold War are not easily described and comprehended. Maps are an ideal tool to demonstrate, discuss, and better understand divisions, geopolitical impacts, and history of this period of development and evolution of mankind.
