Nowhere is the Cold War more vividly remembered than in the historical construct of the Berlin Wall. This gigantic building was a symbol of division between the East and West, communism and liberalism with conflict of power as the essence of the Cold War.

Understanding the Cold War

Cold War could be defined as a state of war that existed between the USA and the USSR, as well as their allies, after World War II until the early 1990s. The twoSuperpowers did not directly confront themselves militarily, but they competed for ideological and strategic ends by covert measure, political chicanery and proxy wars.

The Division of Berlin

At the end of World War II, Germany was divided among the victorious Allied powers: the United States, the Soviet Union Great Britain and France etc. Like the capital city of Czechoslovakia, Berlin the capital of Germany was also divided into the four sectors of the four countries of the Allied powers. However, relations between the capitalist West and the communist East increased and eventually the city became fully divided.

In 1961 the Communist East Germany with Soviet support put up this physical barrier know as the Berlin wall to prevent the E German subjects from fleeing to West Germany. A powerful and impressive symbol of the division the Wall was about 96miles long, it enclosed West Berlin and ran along the border between the two Germanies.

The Purpose and Effect of the Construction of Berlin- Wall

The main function of the Berlin Wall was, therefore, to stem the large-scale defection of East Germans to the West. The wall acted as barrier to prevent anyone in East Berlin from escaping and give a warning to any would be crosser.

Through erection of the wall it became evident that the event influenced the lives of the people in Berlin, as well as the global community. People were separated with their families and those living in East Germany were stripped most of their liberties and closely monitored. They made the wall a symbol of oppression and the conflict of Cold War periods as well.

Life Near the Berlin Wall

The two groups that faced struggles during the time when the Wall dominated for their lives were the East Germans and the West Berliners. It helped to impact many situation within the population’s day-to-day experience such as movement, communication, and the flow of money.

Travel Restrictions

The raised barrier effectively meant it was almost impossible for eastern Berliners to travel to western Berlin or any western nation. The East German government followed utmost policy to control the borders, including hiring guards, placing barbed wire and watchtowers to those who wanted to cross over.

Only a few were permitted to transit through the spiritual barriers, normally at control check points, for the purpose of; diplomacy or compassionate considerations. Among them, Checkpoint Charlie in the geographic centre of the divided city, or the capital of Germany, was one of the most famous.

Communication Challenges

Due to the Berlin Wall, there was also great barrier to communication between the two regions and territories. The telephonic communication was limited and the letters were being censored. There was no close interaction of the family and it was divided restricting communications.

Economic Impact

The division of Berlin also brought out economical changes in that it was split into East and West Berlin. While West Berlin benefits from its links to the western democracies it experienced growth and prosperity, East Berlin and East Germany remained in the shadow of the communists.

The Fall of the Berlin Wall

The construction of the Berlin Wall brought about realization of divided world and became a wall of shame. Nonetheless, wall’s existence became threatened after political changes and freedom demonstrations emerged.

On November. 9th 1989 after an extended period witnessing non-violent activism and political liberalisations within East Germany; the government stated that they were effectively abolishing the travel ban. Many thousands of East Berliners went straight to this wall, it began and people started pulling down the barriers with hammers and chisels.

The break up of the Berlin wall was epoch-making event that signified the decline of the cold war. It represented the union of Berlin and Germany and thus led to the end of communism in most European countries.

In Conclusion

The Berlin Wall definitely was part of the Cold War, it was a concrete symbol of the division between communism and capitalism. The influence which it has brought on the people of Berlin and in general, worldwide cannot be measured.

Modern tourists will still find pieces of the wall standing today as a symbol to the tribulations of the Cold War and the victory of liberty above tyranny.