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How Does the Berlin Wall Connect to the Cold War

by | Mar 7, 2024 | Cold War Tour Berlin

Welcome to our blog post where we will explore the significant connection between the Berlin Wall and the Cold War. If you are an absolute beginner to this topic, don’t worry, we will provide you with all the necessary information to understand the context, history, and implications surrounding the Berlin Wall and its relationship to the Cold War.

Understanding the Cold War

Results: Cold War was a period of continuing conflict between nations after the end of the Second World War until the beginning of 1990s between the US and USSR. It was expressed in ideological political and military confrontation but without use of weapons by the two world superpowers.

The Construction of the Berlin Wall

The other barrier was an actual structure which separated Berlin diagonally into two parts: East and West. The wall was built by the Germany Democratic Republic (GDR) – also known as East Germany in 1961 in order to curb movement of people to west Germany. The formation of the wall arose due to the fact that many east Germans were fleeing to the west a region that was fully embraced democracy and was rich hence being a threat to the soviet.

The Iron Curtain

Even before the construction of the Berlin Wall, Europe was divided with the help of the idea of the “Iron Curtain.” This term indicated the division of the political, economical and social principles of the western democratic countries and the eastern communistic countries led by USSR.

Escaping from East to West

You know prior to the time when the Berlin Wall was erected a number of East Germans used to travel to West Germany mainly through Berlin. The barrier that split Berlin into East and West allowed the East Germans to easily move to the West. This led into effect of massive emigration exercise whereby the intellectuals in East Germany mainly qualified staff, physical assets and experience emigrated in mass to west.

Building the Wall

To counter this, the East Germans government acting in cooperation with the Soviet Union put up the Berlin Wall during the night of August 13. After the Second World War, the wall was built out of concrete walls and barbed wire, watch towers and a narrow death strip in between to ensure that no prisoners attempted to escape. This physical barrier rendered it almost virtually impossible for East Germans to travel to the western side of the Berlin city.

Symbol of the Cold War

Everyone knows that the symbol of the division for communism and democracy during cold war was the Berlin Wall. They symbolizing oppression which the citizens of East Germany are subjected to in their daily lives. The wall also represented that the Soviet Union could have never confined its people to the zone of its control.

Checkpoint Charlie

Checkpoint Charlie is one of the favored check points between East and West berlin during the Cold War. It meant the actions that were taking place between the contingents of the American and Soviet armies. The checkpoint then prevalent evolved into a cliché of the two different worlds and the risks that entailed crossing from the East to the West realm.

Fall of the Berlin Wall

The Berlin was constructed for 28 years before it came down on the 9 th of November in the year 1989. Beb cogni tion As of the end of 1989, the cold war was over, and the Berlin wall that has for many years separated east and west Germany was knocked down.

Peaceful Protests

East Germany’s the fall of the Berlin Wall was due to the society’s campaigns, demonstrations and other acts of civil disobedience. These called for political liberalization and were gradually escalating to the point of having the gates opened and the wall brought down. This was seen when the great Berlin Wall which had divided East and West Germany for many years came crashing down.

End of the Cold War

The takedown of the Berlin Wall was seen as the end of the cold war between America and USSR, though technically the wars continued for some time. The possibility of the event created the conditions and promoted closer relations between former East and West countries. It symbolised end of communism in Europe, victory of democracy over dictatorship.

Legacy of the Berlin Wall

Today there are small parts, which are erected in different parts of the world and symbolize the division and conflict during the period of the Cold War. It makes a wall itself a history and a symbol of people who fight for freedom and want to be united.

Lessons Learned

Berlin Wall teaches people about the outcome of political split and the risks of depriving personal freedom. And it is imposed as the knowledge about the fact that humanity should pursue the cooperation, comprehend the other people’s perspective, and protect the primary human rights.

Tourism and Education

Another interesting place that has become a big shift currently is the Berlin Wall Site where many tourists visit to see. People have set up museums, memorials, and information programs concerning the importance of the wall and the general Cold War struggle.

Thus, it can be concluded that the Berlin Wall was an important element of the sphere of the Cold War. Harrisons depiction of the construction and the fall represents division of communism and democracy. The wall acts as a symbol of ideological divide and hot political struggles that characterized the world during that time. That therefore requires anyone who wants to make sense of history especially the Cold War and its effects on political structures worldwide to understand the importance of the Berlin Wall.

How Does the Berlin Wall Connect to the Cold War