The division between East and West or well known as Cold war was manifested vividly by the construction of the Berlin Wall. It represents a significant period of conflict in world history and history lovers should take their time to study the depiction. Looking at this article, we shall uncover the details of what the Wall was all about, how it was built, and the effects it had together with factors that led to it’s crumbling down.

1. The Origins of the Cold War

The Cold War was a competition between two military Superpowers, the Soviet Union: USA, and its allies. It started at the post Second World War era and continued up to early 1990s. The clear demarcation between communism and capitalism, wars and looming nuclear war made up for this era.

2. The Division of Berlin

After the World War II Germany was made into four occupied zones which were occupied by the United States, the Soviet Union, Great Britain and with the addition of France. Like Potsdam, the capital of Germany was divided into four equal parts, and unlike other German cities, it was situated in the deepest territory of the Soviet zone. But, conflicts escalator and soon the whole east and west split separated completely.

2.Building the Berlin Wall This second semester’s topic is focused on the construction of the Berlin Wall: 1

On this day of 13 August, in the early morning of 1961, work begin to construct the barrier that was to develop into the infamous Berlin Wall. Originally, its principal structure was barbed wire; it also evolved into concrete walls, watchtowers and other amenities. The objective was the freedom of movement stop from East Berlin to West Berlin.

2.2 The Impact on Berliners

The construction of the Berlin Wall deeply changed the life of Berliners. According to the norms of divide, families and friends were separated and few people were confined either in East or West Berlin. The population of East Berlin was oppressed by the government which tightly controlled their freedom of movement and expression.

3. The Symbol of the Cold War

Berlin Wall barrier could be taken as the epitome of the Cold War. It symbolised the two world powers, communism and capitalism, and the Eastern Bloc, the less liberal half of the world, and the western half. In wall, the ideological conflict and the general tension during this period were illustrated.

4. Attempts to Escape

However some individuals tried to cross the wall that was so strongly built in hope of getting from East Berlin in to West Berlin. Different callow and risky stunts were performed like going underground, using aerial rubber balloons, often ramming through walls or barriers. Such attempts showed to what extent people are ready to push through in order to achieve that outcome dubbed as freedom.

5. The Fall of the Berlin Wall

The so called ‘Berlin Wall,’ which was easily considered as the strongest barrier that could not be breached materialized fell on November 9, 1989. The later events that led to its collapse were in one way or the other aggravated by political transformations in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. It became a victim of mass protests, demands for political reforms and eventually economic pressures.

6. Legacy and Remembrance

The collapse of the Berlin Wall heralded the break from the Cold War, which was the collapse of the socialist reign in Europe. It was the symbol of freedom, struggle, achievement of democracy against tyranny. At present there are several places that can still be seen showing the division of the city and how crucial it is for nations to work together.

6.1 Berlin Wall Memorial

Probably the most expressing places to visit to get acquainted with the history of the Wall is Bernauer Strasse, where there is constructed Berlin Wall Memorial. It consists of remnants of the wall, a display, a square dedicated to the memory of victims who died trying to flee across the border.

6.2 Checkpoint Charlie

Checkpoint Charlie is another historical site of importance; however it used to be a crossing between East Berlin and West Berlin. At the moment, it operates as a museum that informs visitors of conditions and events experienced during the cold war.

Conclusion

Berlin Wall is clear example of divided world during the Cold War. Such knowledge helps to think about the results of political splits and the value of liberty if one learns how it was created, constructed, influenced, and overthrew. These elements in Berlin, the remains of the stone wall, as well as other landmarks, make people think about the past while heading for harmony in the future.