The Cold War which was between the late 1940s and the early 1990s involved the Soviet Union and the United States. Throughout this period, Berlin, the capital city of Germany, was divided into two parts: West Berlin was governed by the four powers of Western Allies while East Berlin was governed by Soviet Union.
The Division of Berlin
As UNR staffs return back to Germany after the end of Second World War, Germany was divided into four occupation zones; the United States, United kingdom, France occupied the western part which became west Germany while Soviet occupied east part became east Germany. This division also apply to Berlin which was situate in the deep portion of the Soviet zone. However, similar to East Germany, Berlin city was also divided into four districts, each one being under the jurisdiction of the four powers.
During 1949, with relations between the Soviet Union and Western Allies worsening, separate states of Germany were created and the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) and the German Democratic Republic (East Germany). On paper, West Berlin was smack in East Germany’s territory, yet the Western Allies governed it.
What did the Western Allies Do?
West Berlin was mainly policed by the United States, United Kingdom as well as France during the period of Cold War. All together they constituted an administrative body known as the Berlin Tripartite Commission. This commission managed the city by exercising authority and controlling the key processes with regard to the city and the people inhabiting it; it also made essential decisions in the fields of policy and activities coordination.
Some of the remarkable actions by the Western Allies which were worthwhile were the Berlin Airlift which started from 1948 to 1949. The Soviet Union put a blockade on West Berlin, which led to the operating of the airborne technique by the Western Allies to supply the city. This effort was able thus to maintain the population of West Berlin, illustrating the commitments of the Western Allies toward their side in the divided city.
Living in West Berlin
West Berlin during the Cold War times was a special and specific place to live in. Because the city was a separate from the rest of East Germany it was seen as the beacon of hope to resist the domination of the Soviet Union. The population was privilege to some luxuries left out in the East Germans including the western products, better standard of living, and political liberties.
West Berlin also developed as a popular cultural spot even though the entire city was split. It had alive cultures of arts and music and artists, musicians, and intellectuals flocked into the city from different parts of the world. Said landmarks such as the Berlin Wall also have a special place amongst the works of architecture of the city.
Changes After the Cold War
The Cold War came to an end since the disintegration of the Soviet Union in December 1991. All occupying powers make a mutual agreement to transfer sovereignity to Germany in 1994. This means shift of power was vital for the unification of Berlin as a capital of the united Germany.
, Berlin today represents a site of historical confusion and success of the Cold War era. There are a lot of monuments of the divided city so that people can see and really get the idea of the fight that once happened there.
Conclusion
In Cold War period West Berlin was occupied by the western powers (the United States, the United Kingdom, and France). It represented opposition to Soviet rule, and the people within its metropolitan bounds had access to commodities unavailable to those of East Germany. In this period, with the help of the Berlin Airlift and other governance structures, the western Allies successfully provided for the sustenance and development of West Berlin. Modern Berlin is united, a capital of Germany, but division is still felt as something very close.