The partition of Berlin into east and West was one of the most celebrated features of the cold war. From the year 1945 to 1990, the city stood a division of two different worlds in terms of ideologies, economies and even lifestyle. Thus, in this blog post, let through the analysis of the potential interested parties, we will look at the major differences between East and West Berlin during this period.
1. Political Ideology
The political systems of the two Berlin between East and West Berlin differed in many ways with the former being an experience of the Iron curtain. Soviet district of East Berlin had a communism regime. All spheres of people’s life were regulated by the government, including media and economic activities. , West Berlin which was controlled by the United States adopted liberty, freedom and the tenets of democracy as well as capitalism. Democratic system has more freedom of individual and multiple parties were allowed.
2. Economic Systems
The economy between East and West Berlin was completely contrasting to each other. During East Berlin the state became the owner of all industries and businesses in the region. The government significantly controlling the economy and emphasizing the industries related to defensive and strength. West Berlin on the other hand had a more open economy with trade being done by private owners. Especially it was mostly concerned with consumer goods and its people enjoyed a relatively higher quality of life.
2.1 Poverty vs Prosperity
As pointed by various critics, the nature of economy made East Berlin more of a poverty stricken area. Low wages and few opportunities for work meant a low standard of living, too. Whereas, those living in east berlin had to struggle with supressed economy, where as in west Berlin the companies started to invest and offered better employment opportunities.
2.2. Consumer Goods and entertainment
The east berliners only had access to fewer consumer goods and entertainment. Cars and electronics or fashion accessories were easily spotted in supermarkets and other shops that lined up the road segments. Moreover, the lifestyle and also the artistic opportunities for West Berliners were enriched through theaters, clubs and musically performances.
3. Travel Restrictions
The restrictions on travelling were very effective in splitting the East and West Berlin. The actual barrier was erected in 1961 by way of the Berlin wall that separated the east from the west. People of East Berlin were allowed extremely limited rights to travel to and fro West Berlin. On the other hand, West Berliner enjoyed mobility and could freely transport themselves to other parts of the west German Territory.
4. Social Control
East Berlin was tightly controlled culturally by the Stasi, or the officers of the state police GDR, the German Democratic Republic. They spied citizens’ activities, silenced opposition and compelled the citizens to report their fellow citizens. There was, however, much more concentration on individual liberties, privacy and people’s freedoms in West Berlin.
5. Architectures and Infrastructures
The division of Berlin even also affected many infrastructures and architectons in many ways. East Berlin underwent massive construction which included the construction of numerous large apartments structures and monumental buildings all built mainly from concrete. On the other hand, West Berlin Rat unified the pre- war look of the buildings while embracing modern architectural designers.
Conclusion
Some of the major differences which arose as a result of the division of Berlin during the Cold War were, political systems, economic policies, movement restriction, social regulation, and lifestyle. Although personal liberties and the income per capita was relatively low in East Berlin, West Berlin enjoyed all the glamour of Western freedoms ad capitalist economy. The division ceased in 1989 when the much-famed Berlin Wall was torn down, and Germany was reunified.
