The Cold War was a military stand-off between the US and USSR after World War II through to the early 1990s. As one of these global power arenas, the Eastern Bloc which was spearheaded by the Soviet Union and the Western Bloc headed by the United States was involved in series of symbolic or real political, economic and military confrontation.
That is why people wonder about the very Berlin Wall origin.
The wall was construct during the cold war when the East Germany wanted to isolate it people from the Western world and from the West Berlini which was owned by the allied powers. It also represented the split political territory of the city and the global antagonism between communism and liberalism.
The Cold War Divisions
In 1945 at the End of the Second World War Germany was divided into four zones that were administered by the United States, the Union of Soviet Socialistic Republics, Great Britain and France. Even though situated in the centre of the Soviet zone, Berlin was also partitioned into four sectors. This continued through tension between the western powers and the Soviet Union, west and east Germany was divided and the wall created.
The Impact on Berliners
Using the topic ‘When was the wall built in Berlin?” identify how the construction of the wall affected the lives of the people in Berlin. People in East Berlin lost contacts with those they knew in West Berlin; the population was deprived of freedom in a matter of one night. Some tried to flee to the west, regardless of the cost they have to pay to do so.
The Fall of the Berlin Wall
The single most dramatic event during the Cold War was the dismantling of the Berlin Wall on November the 9th, 1989. This meant that the Wall could not withstand the pressure brought on by the East German population together with such aspects that arose in Soviet policy as Mikhail Gorbachev’s policies.
Peaceful Protests
In the period prior to the collapse of the wall, people’s demonstrations demanding change in political systems intensified in East Germany. SOCIAL MOVEMENTS In Eastern Germany, public demonstrations in cities such as Leipzig and Dresden were characterised by demonstrations for more freedom as well as democracy.
New Policies
Reform Programs in the Soviet Union also indirectly affected the Eastern Bloc countries; these reformation policies are glasnost (openness) initiated by Mikhail Gorbachev and the second one is perestroika (restructuring). Such policies demanded more political freedom and economic liberalism as was seen demanding change across Eastern Europe.
Mass Exodus
But as the pressure increased East German authorities deiced to relax the travel restrictions people could then move from East Germany into West Berlin and West Germany without much trouble. Many people gatthered in front of the wall and even though border patrols tried to stop them, they could not and let people cross.
The Aftermath
The breaking down of the wall in Germany was the union of Germany and it signalled the start of the end of the cold war period. Germany emerged as the model state, for the non-violent restoration of the communism throughout the Eastern Europe.
Reunification
1990 was an important year and the Berlin wall which separated East and West Germany came down in November of 1989 and officially in October 3rd, 1990 Germany was reunified. This crucial event helped Germany and had a great signal on the world level, the victory of democracy and the victory of communism.
Cold War Conclusion
The cold war between the super powers, United States and the then Soviet Union began to relieve after the collapse of the Berlin Wall in Germany in 1989 and the Soviet Union itself disintegrated in 1991. This signified the official eclipse of the Cold war and brought into the politics a new age.
Conclusion
The fall of the Berlin Wall was one of the most dramatic events in the history and was the turning point of the Cold War. The wall came falling down due to the struggling of East German citizens for democracy as well as for the changing policy at the Soviet Union. The latter saw its demise as a means to foster German reunification and shifts in the international geopolitics. Today the remains of the Berlin Wall are appreciated as the victorious sign against the oppression and have become the main site.