The Berlin Wall was a barrier built by the German Democratic Republic, an East Germany during the period of the cold war. The wall was constructed on August 13, 1961, that effectively cut the city of Berlin into two halves, Soviet controlled East Berlin and the democratic West Berlin.
1. Historical Context
The Berlin Wall emerged because of the division between the East and the West, the Soviet Union, and the United States. After WWII ended, Germany as well as Berlin was divided into four occupation zones of which the Soviets control one of the occupation zones included the city of Berlin.
1.1 The Cold War
The cold war however was a period of political and military confrontation between two super powers namely the United States of America and Soviet Union. One such banner event was the division of the city of Berlin in to east and west parts.
1.2 Rise of the Iron Curtain
When the bipolarity of the international system became more and more clear the Iron Curtain could be undoubtedly symbolized the division between the totalitarian East and the free world of the West.
2. Construction and Features
The Berlin Wall was erected in order to cultivate barrier between East Germans and the opportunity to escape to the western world. It was about 155km (96miles) long and comprised of concrete walls, barbed wire and watchtowers. There were also trenches against vehicle movements, barbed wires; and no-man area often referred to as the ‘Death Strip.’
2.1 Checkpoint & Borders/Self + Crossing
There were few checkpoint that permitted populace to move between East and West Berlin. The best-known stand was Checkpoint Charlie that represented the spirit of the Cold War. All these procedures people used to cross the Berlin Wall were very difficult, and in most cases, one needed some sanction to get to the other side.
2.2 Division of Families and Communities
The construction of the Berlin Wall provoked severe consequences for families and communities among which it is possible to indicate thaterte. It pulled apart families, restrained mobility, and induced gigantic amounts of both, emotional and psychological distress.
3. Meaning and Demise of the Berlin Wall
The Germans’ division and a specific creation – the Berlin Wall – gained an intense focus of awareness during the Cold War. It symbolised oppression of individual liberty and human rights as well as every kind of injustice in the world. He continued constructing it despite the international Pressure and political changes in East Germany the wall came down on 9th November 1989.
3.1 Fall of the Berlin Wall
The collapse of the Berlin Wall could be said to be a revolution since it created unity of East and west Germany. Division of Germany was next on the list and the reunification of Germany came shortly after the collapse of the Berlin Wall.
3.2 Legacy and Remembrance
Today every part of the wall is gone but small pieces of the Berlin Wall illustrate the story of the city’s past. The wall is a very historical one and represents symbolism of hope, togetherness, and will to power over oppression.
4. Conclusion
The Berlin Wall was a barrier that was constructed round Berlin to represent gap between the East and the West during the Cold War. It affected millions by riping families apart and limiting personal liberty in its construction. Though, the incident of breaking down of the Berlin Wall and identification of Germany divided into two parts and splitting of the Cold War.
