Here we begin our blog post dedicated to the life and much-discussed role of the Berlin Wall in the collapse of communism. In this post, we will learn about how the Berlin Wall was built, its effects, its construction and in conclusion how it fell. Let’s jump right in!
1. The Historical Background
After World War II, Germany was divided into four occupation zones, with Berlin also divided among the four Allied powers: the United States, the Soviet Union, Great Britain, and France every one, every one. However, rivalry between the Soviet Union and the three other powers quickly manifested severing Germany into East and West Germany in 1949. The social and political gap between these two German states enlarged with the passage of years, and East Germany acquired a monistic soviet style government while West Germany adhered to the principles of a free world economy market.
The barb wire check-point was a division that was created in 1961 to divide East and West Berlin. This wall symbolized the difference in political economy systems or communism and capitalism and assumed a vital symbolic cultural and political status in the cold war.
2. Construction and Structure
Berlin Wall was built largely of concrete and increased in height from 3.6 meters to 4.2 meters (or 11.8 to 13.8 feet). It was about 155 kilometers (96 miles) long and encircled West Berlin and virtually separating the city from East Germany. This wall had barriers such as barbwires, watchtowers, anti-car trenches and a ” death strip” to ensure that any East Germans did not cross the border for West Germany.
2.1. Crossing Points
However, there used to be some permitted entries between East and West Berlin referred to as check point. There were some official gates allowing diplomats, military and some other people to get across the check point, Checkpoint Charlie now turned into a tourist spot.
2.2. Memorials and Remains
Nowadays, few pieces of the Berlin Wall have survived, several memorials and open air exhibitions are devoted to that legacy. Some of which includes the East Side Gallery which having murals painted on the remaining segment of the Berlin wall by many prominent artist.
3. Life In World War 2 & Consequence Of Building the Wall
The effect of the Berlin Wall deeply shaped people’s existence in the two regions of Germany. People living in the east Germany will attest to having their lives tightly planned by the communists on a daily basis. Its freedom was limited by censorship laws that existed, limited employment and travel permissions. Tipped by the secret police that was extensively used throughout the country, the East German society was infiltrated by fear.
, while West Berlin could successfully economically grow because of its relation with West Germany. It became a freewheel, a sanitarium of performing arts, a school, a research station for artists, artists’ colony, seaport intellectuals workshop, and professional workshop all in one.
4. The Fall of the Berlin Wall
The two events were the opening of the Berlin Wall on the night of the 9th of November, in 1989 and the subsequent reunification of Germany. As communism fell in Eastern Europe and citizens put pressure on their leaders to open the borders, the wall came tumbling down.
Large scale protest and uprising calling for political change characterized the events of the year 1989 in East Germany. At first, the almost mathematical order of the government that restrictions on moving would be removed led to a rush of people towards the wall. A great many of the people traveled to the west over the checkpoints and were greeted by fellow Germans in the west. Happy moments were shown on television and the world watched as the old order was brought to an end.
4.1. Reunification of Germany
Later on, after the historical event that destroyed the symbol of the division of Europe, the so called the Berlin Wall, someactions were made to come to a diplomatic agreement on the topic of the reunification on East and West Germany. Having thus finally unburdened my soul, no more shall I speak of the matter, save to say that, come October 3, 1990, Germany was reunified with Berlin as its capital.
5. Berlin Wall Icon of the Past
The Berlin Wall was one of the symbols of division in the world during the Cold War and freedom that finally conquered it. It is dedicated to all the many who were persecuted and a tribute to those who fought for reunification of Germany.
Conclusion
The Berlin Wall is a symbol of the Cold War when a city was literally split in two by a wall. It was built and destroyed to embody those who were in one way or another involved in the Cold War. Today Berlin wall or what is left of it and places where families build memorials stand to remind everyone of victory through unity, freedom and the spirit of humanism.
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