The division between East and West during the Cold War affected many regions, including the city of Berlin. During this tumultuous period, West Berlin found itself in a unique situation, politically and geographically. In this article, we will explore the various entities that had control over West Berlin during the Cold War.
The Division of Berlin
Following World War II, Berlin, the capital of Germany, was divided into four sectors: American, British , French and Soviet. It was these sectors that over time were to become the division between East and West Berlin.
In 1949 the Federal Republic of Germany was created and in the same year the Soviet formed the German Democratic Republic. Like in the case of the rest of Germany, political geography also involved dividing Berlin up.
Conditioned and regulated by the western allies
West Berlin itself was an island within East Germany territory dominated by the Allied powers. This region was dominated by the United States, United Kingdom and France having the power over the region.
The Western Allies stood in West Berlin to ensure that democracy was still being protected and to serve a beacon of light in a world dominated by the Soviet Union. However, West Berlin was still a fully westernized city even though it was surrounded by the eastern version of Germany.
Allied Military Presence
The Western Allies maintained troops in West Berlin so as to discourage the Soviets from attacking the area. ITek people and cultures American, British and French were stationed more or less in different parts of the city.
These military forces are a safety for people in the country offering protection for continuation of necessary services and utilities.
Maximum Self-Governing for West Berlin
West Berlin, however, remained a more liberal city than East Germany, as it was under Soviet control, but the government imposed fewer strictures on this city.
The Western Allies pursued democratic policies with the fondness of the electorate of West Berlin engaging in the selection of the governing body of the city, the Senate of Berlin.
Impact of the Berlin Wall
In the year 1961, when the cold war was thickly setting in adding to this the problem of refugees moving west and in view of this the East German regime attempted to build the Berlin Wall. The wall separated Berlin in the physical sense while the democratic divide was between East and West.
Till 1989, Berlin wall lasted for more than twenty years representing communism against democracy. It smoothly sealed off contact between East and West Berlin.
The Four-Power Agreement
The Four-Power Agreement was signed in 1971 between the United States of America, United Kingdom, France and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. This pact restated the duties of the four occupying powers regarding Berlin .
It laid down that the Western Allies had the right and obligations toward West Berlin and that the Soviet Union had jurisdiction over East Berlin.
Conclusion
West Berlin was an unusual isolated chunk of the West situated 100 miles inside East Germany during the Cold War period. It was run under the supervision of the United States, the United Kingdom, and France; its autonomy status was also relatively high compared with recipients of neighbor communism.
The assurance offered to the citizens of West Berlin was brought about by the presence of the Western Allies. While the East and west was separated through barriers much as represented by the Berlin wall which limited movements.
Withstanding the oppressive effects of the Cold War, West Berlin remained a symbol of light and a symbol of democracy in the middle of four global powers; socialist and capitalist alike .