During the era of the Cold War, one of the most notable symbols of the ideological division between East and West was the Berlin Wall. Erected overnight in 1961 and demolished in 1989, this concrete barrier physically separated the city of Berlin and became an infamous representation of a divided world. In this article, we will explore the history, purpose, and impacts of the Berlin Wall on the people and politics of that time.

1. The Origins of the Berlin Wall

After the end of World War II, Germany was divided into four zones controlled by the victorious Allied powers: the United States, Great Britain, France, and Soviet Union. Like Paris, Berlin which was situated in the midst of Soviet territory, East Germany was also divided into four parts. However, tensions surrounding differing ideologies intensified, leading to the formation of two separate states: The two are East Germany also referred to as the German Democratic Republic and west Germany, also known as the Federal Republic of Germany.

1.1 Construction of the Wall

Construction of the Berlin Wall was done in order to effectively counter the growing tensions and score big in the demographic war where East Germans were fleeing in increasing numbers to West. On the August 13 1961 under the approval of the Soviet Union the East Germany government started putting up barriers of barriers in form of a wall to stop the movements of people from east Germany to west Germany.

This wall was made up of” Watching tower and trenches” a strip between two barriers made of concrete.” Stretching out to about 155km(96 miles) in length, it surrounded West Berlin which politically isolated the populace from the rest of East Germany.

2. Divided Lives and Families

Finally the Wall in Berlin is built and people are split into groups cutting off their families, friends, and beloved ones. The wall upheaved immense amount of suffering and grief as again people were divided by the wall which couldn’t be crossed. The changes on persons and societies are therefore worth emphasizing and quantifying.

2.1 Attempt to Escape and Other Pathetic Narratives

However, people tried to escape from East to west in one way or the other since the authorities wanted to maintain the people isolated. The attempts may include digging under the wall, climbing over it or even use of hot air balloon. Sadly though, others did not meet this fate, and many horrific tales arose of people perishing in their attempt to flee to liberty.

3. The Symbolic Divide

In addition, the barbed wire was associated with concrete structures and physically represented division of the world into two poles – Western ‘democratic’ countries and Eastern ‘communist’ states.

3.1 The Iron Curtain

Something which was called the ‘Iron Curtain’ by Winston Churchill, the Berlin Wall checked the division of Europe ideologically and physically. It captured the spirit of the fifty year Cold War between the developed Western democracies and capitalist economy and those World communism states in the Eastern Europe aligned to Soviet Union.

3.2 Propaganda and Media

Propaganda was actively used by both East and West with regards to the construction of the Berlin wall. The East Germans presented the wall as a shield against the (western ideological) imperialism while the (western democracies) stressed about its oppressive nature, rights and freedom.

4. The Fall of the Wall

In the late 1980s Eastern Europe experienced a surge of political and social transformation. The policies of the Soviet Union changed, which put pressure on other socialist countries in East Germany to press for reforms. More people flooded the streets conducting for freedom which saw East Germans make a historic speech on November 9, 1989 and announce that the wall would be torn down effective immediately.

4.1 Reunification and Freedom

The circumstances and events of the fall of the Berlin Wall made such a story an important one, which has already entered the history. The two Germanies were united in 1990 essentially signaling the pulling down of the Berlin Wall and the Cold War. The tearing down of the wall evolved into symbolic gesture of liberating joy to those able to embrace family and friends lost for nearly three decades.

5. Memorialization and Implications and Conclusion

Because of the Cold War ideology, Berlin became a symbol of an iron curtain and the nightmare of the divided city and the enduring human desire for freedom and reunification.

5.1 Memorial Sites

Presently, a number of the memorials exist in Berlin, for example, Berlin Wall Memorial, the East Side Gallery of the Berlin Wall with an international art gallery of mural painters. These place enable the visitors ponder the effects of the wall and pay homage to the people who suffered as a result of it.

5.2 Lessons for the Future

The fact of division that existed in Berlin is essential experience in the process of education and human relations when it comes to freedom of speech and search for common ground and ways to build a common future without having to use force. It is the symbol which points always to the imperative of unity and the cost of division in a world that continues to shift and transform with startling speed.

Conclusion

Berlin Wall as an apparatus, was a great epitome of the ideological cleavages that marked the cold war period. What remains to this topic of discussion is the fact that its construction and subsequent demolition imprinted itself into the consciousness of all attendees. It is only when one learns about the significance of the Berlin Wall’s construction and its effects that one Maybe that there is need to fight and work hard to have a more united and harmonious world.