Berlin Wall was one of the checkpoints that split the city of Berlin during the time of Cold War. It was constructed by East Germany also known as the German Democratic Republic and existed between 1961 and 1989. The article of this blog will focus on the historical analysis of when and why the Berlin wall was built, the effects it had on the people and its ultimate demolition.

Historical Background

After the Second World War got over in 1945, Germany was divided into four zones of occupation administered by the United States, the Soviet Union, United Kingdom and France. Like other major European cities, Berlin was also occupied and therefore divided into four zones: the Soviet zone. However, tensions between the Soviet Union and the other Allied powers escalated, leading to the division of Germany into two separate nations: West Germany also known as Federal Republic of Germany as well as East Germany also known as the German Democratic Republic.

Reasons for Construction

The construction of the Berlin Wall was largely a reaction from the GDR to overcome some of hardships the was encountering. Here are the key reasons:

1. The main cause for conflict of interest stems from ideological and political differences that exist between politicians.

The Cold War was a bipolar conflict with Western democracies led by the United States on one side, and an Eastern Bloc of socialist state headed by the Soviet Union counterparts. East Germany as a socialist state yearned to keep her citizens from being influenced by the western world and so exercised a tight authority on its people.

2. Pressure Brain Drain Economic

Certainly, East German experienced massive brain drain whereby educated professionals and skilled workers migrated to West Germany. It caused what might well be called the brain drain of youth and talent which inevitably impacted the economy and brought about labor scarcity in principal industry domains. Thus, when constructing the wall, East Germany tried to stop such emigration, and therefore stabilize its workforce.

3. Symbolic Power Play

Thus the wall’s construct represented the division between the eastern and the western part of Germany. It signified the Soviet domination in the Eastern Bloc region and acted as a way to demonstrate the might of the communism.

Impact on the People

Berliners had felt the construction of the Berlin Wall in their own way in the following aspects. Neighbors and relatives could only see each other through gates; the wall itself was an embodiment of the notion that an individual was deprived of freedom. Here are some key points:

1. Division of Families

Indeed, the physical dividing of families was a theme witnessed previously in World War II but never thought to be repeated again. Individuals cannot go and see their relatives, friends or simply loved ones – which caused them to feel lonely and depressed. They reduced the wall to a physical as well as an emotional entity.

2. On this page, readers will discover information about escape attempts and tragic outcomes.

A small number of East Germans tried to get to the West and some of them tried to cross the wall.. But the border guards were ordered to fire at those who tried to cross the border, which led to people dying and terrible outcomes.

3. Among the fundamental difficulties of policy implementation is the assessment of the long-term psychological aftermath.

Mental fatigue arises from living under surveillance day and night as well as living under the wall that limited their freedom affected the East Germans. Such feelings as fear, frustration and limitation of personal liberty were the new experiences in their lives.

Fall of the Berlin Wall

The features of the historical processes in the framework of the Cold War and the reunification of Germany, which became an important stage in the development of the world, can be characterized as follows. Here’s an overview of the events leading to its fall:

1. Peaceful Protests

In the later part of 1980s, the people in the GDR were becoming restless whilst the world was putting pressure on this country. Demonstrations for democracy began with an improved tempo thus putting pressure on the communist dynasty.

2. Ease of Travel Bans

Faced with increased pressure from the world, especially through the release of new travel policies in November in the same year, the GDR allowed its citizens to emigrate to West. This announcement attracted a large population of people toward the checkpoints of the Berlin Wall.

3. Fall of the Wall

When exactly on the evening of November 9,1989, a government spokesperson declared that citizens of the East Germany could visit the Federal Republic of Germany as tourists the regulation on traveling was not very clear. He says that thousands of people gathered and pinned themselves to the checkpoints insisting to be allowed through. Pressured to open the gates, border control authorities did so, and citizens on both sides took down the wall.

Conclusion

The Great Wall of Berlin, built in the middle of the Cold War, was an emblem of the East/West schism. It changed the lives of Berliners and served as the reason families got split, and personal freedom was limited. However, due to increasing demands for democratization, the fall of the Berlin Wall symbol became symbolic for Germany’s reunification. Berlin Wall today remains a symbol of people’s enduring spirit and of the victory.