Cold War could be defined as a confrontation between the USA and USSR and their allies, that began after the WWII and lasted until early 1990s. Thus Berlin, the capital of Germany, was one of the major theaters of operation at this time. In this article, the author will aim at analysing how the Cold War, as well as the division of powers in Berlin, influenced lives of people in the city.

Division of Berlin

At the end of Second World war up to 1949 Germany was split into four zones whereby each was controlled by United State of America, Union of Soviet Socialists Republic, Great Britain and France respectively. The same division was made for Berlin too, however that was located well and truly within the Soviet zone. Sooner, there emerged and grew struggle in ideological and political grounds between the Soviet Union and other occupying powers to the extent that they resulted in complete separation of Berlin.

Part of Berlin was divided into three parts of western powers in 1949 – the American, the British and the French zones collectively forming West Berlin while the Soviet zone forming East Berlin. These divisions were evident when in 1961 the grew a wall known as the Berlin wall physically splitting the city into two regions.

The Berlin Wall

In the history of the Cold War the building of the Berlin wall was another important landmark. It was put up as a barrier to the emigration of the increasing numbers of East Germans to West Germany through Berlin; the East German regime disliked seeing competent and skillful workers and experts moving out in large numbers.

The wall was surrounded with protection and had such things as barbed wire, watchtowers and anti-vehicle trenches. Friends and families were divided in a single night; crossing the wall was especially dangerous at that time and often fatal. Some of the most famous structure from this years is the Berlin’s wall which has separated west and east Berlin and came down in 1989.

Life in West Berlin

The physical and political division hence did not hinder West Berlin from becoming a lively and successful city. It was a symbol of capitalist and democracy in which the western powers heavily invested what they believe was much superior to the Soviet-east. West Berlin they had financial assistance and support, West Berlin population has benefited through get access and enjoy many things like consumer goods and better living standard.

Life in East Berlin

If we look at the experience of living in East Berlin it was very much different from that observed in the west. The East Germany had centrally directed controls with closely planned economic system. The state controlled the basic means of the population and its relations, and the individual rights were restricted.

East Berlin, as shown by their economy and political oppression, did not make its people happy. But when people tried to protest or showed the opposition to the governmental policies, severe reactions were expected. The Stasi, the East German secret police, was following civilians, and any protests were immediately put down.

Spionage and Espionage

Because East and West Berlin existed as distinct halves of the same city, much espionage activity took place in Berlin. The Americans and the Soviets both designated Berlin as a city to spy on the other. The Berlin Wall and the highly secured borderline helped occasion secret-related operations.

Both sides used spies and intelligence agencies to gather information most preferably to blind side the other. Events which have made it to the history books include the downing of the U-2 spy plane over Soviet territory further straining relations between the two superpowers.

The Fall of the Berlin Wall

The reticular structure of a city is symbolic, so the demolition of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989 was a vital moment in the Cold War and in Berlin. It was a sign of the end of the division of the country, and also the reunification of the whole nation – Germany.

Residents congregated to the wall and pulled down parts of the barriers; they chanted that the split halves of the city were now connected. The fall of the Berlin Wall, concom end of 1989, led to the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990 and signaled the slowly coming to an end of Cold War.

Conclusion

This paper seeks to analyze the effects of the Cold War on Berlin and the people of Berlin in particular. It ruled the city physically separated by the Berlin Wall for almost three decades and developed the clear distinctions of living standards between East and West Berlin. The destruction of the wall, and the subsequent re-unification of Germany, which marked the last act of the cold war.

Berlin is now a prosperous and centralized city, nonetheless, history of the Cold War can be still felt in it. This period can thus be well explained by visiting Berlin as this presents an opportunity to learn on the complexities as well as ramifications of this period.