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The Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall: A Symbol of Communism

by | Mar 7, 2024 | Cold War Tour Berlin

Communism and the Berlin Wall are history closely connected to the world of the 20th century. To make sense of the intricacies of political ideologies and international relations, this knowledge cannot be overemphasized. In this article, we will go deeper into the matter, enjoy ourselves with the history of the creation and existence of the famous Berlin Wall, and its collapse that could be linked to communism.

1. Origins of the Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall was a division between east and west Berlin created by East Germany in 1961. Its construction was mainly aimed at curbing the movement of people from East Germany that was looking for better living standards in West Germany.

1.1. Post-World War II Division

Following World War II, Germany was divided into four occupation zones controlled by the victorious allied powers: the USA, the USSR, Great Britain and France. Like all major cities in Germany and Austria, Berlin was also divided almost halfway into the Soviet territory. The ideological differences between the soviet union and the western countries culminated into formation of two german states in 1949: west germany and east germany.

1.2. Escalating Tensions

Relations between the two states evolved for years with an increasing expressed desire of large portions of Eastern Germany to move to the more affluent West. By 1961, two-point-seven million of the eastern citizens fled to West Germany, which imposed not only social but an economic problem because it led to the emergence of Brain drain to the East Germany .

2. Architecture of the Constructing Berlin Wall

Berlin Wall was a concrete fortification, approximately 155 kilometers long and included other components that would ensure that nobody could cross over to the other side.

2.1. Wall Structure

The Wall was made of the two concrete walls running parallel to each other with a strip between them called the death strip. The death strip had watchtowers, anti vehicle trenches, automatic guns that opened after tripping a wire and dogs to avoid escapes.

2.2. The Wall’s Evolution

At different epochs the Berlin Wall was getting more and more fortified and it became easier to cross it. The makeshift structure at the time of inception in 1961 was replaced by a more concrete structure that provided almost no chance of escape.

3. Functions in qualitative work are divisible into biggest and minor tasks while he stressed that life on either side of the wall is different.

Besides, the CCTV camera stands for the aggressive power of the East Berlin regime which physically divided the city and determined that the living conditions in the West Berlin would be immensely worse than in the eastern, underlining the opposition of the political systems.

3.1. West Berlin: Capitalist Haven

West Berlin was the only capitalist territory within the coverage of Soviet influence in the eastern part of Germany. Geographically positioned, the city benefited from the support of the western powers in the realms of economics and politics; and freedom of culture.

3.2. East Berlin: Socialist Regime

East Berlin was influenced by Soviet, thus the socialist East Berlin came into being. The citizens of China suffered from minimal freedom, stringent travelling restrictions coupled with lack of access to information due to communism by the government.

4. The Fall of the Berlin Wall

For almost three decades the Berlin Wall portrayed division and dictatorial regime. But in the late 1980s change started in Eastern Europe and soon a series of events occurred which finally led to the bringing down of the Wall.

4.1. Eastern Bloc Opening

In 1989, due to weakening control over its own affiliate states it provided room for protest at least. Widespread protests kept occurring in East Germany, calling for change of government, equal rights and the right to travel. The existing leadership of the country’s government, being communists, began feeling the pressure to capitulate to these demands.

4.2. Historic Announcement

East Germany opened the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989 when it said it citizens could move freely to the western part. Many East Germans crossed the border by force with thousands arriving at Wall crossing spot and bursting into West Berlin.

4.3. Reunification of Germany

The demolishment of the Berlin Walk was a landmark moment. In the subsequent months, rather massive dismantlement of the Wall took place – thus symbolizing the end of Cold War period. East and west Germany were unified in 1990 and the change and transformation for both countries began after that.

Conclusion

The Berlin Wall is still vividly associated with communism, totalitarianism, and the Cold War divide of East and West. It will help to explain the reasons for its creation, the events that led to the collapse of this state, and the will of people for freedom along with the price that is paid for the political systems that actively suppress human rights. It is therefore important to grasp the meanings of the Berlin Wall and its link with communism to feel comfortable with the histories of the world.

The Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall: A Symbol of Communism