Greetings from this complete guide of the Berlin Wall and East Berlin. If you are interested in history as a whole or one of the pivotal events of the 20th century, this blog post will have all you need to know. So let’s dive into what Berlin Wall was and what life is like in East Berlin.

1. The Berlin Wall: Background and Construction

The Berlin Wall was a period of the Berlin city, from 1961 to 1989, from a physical and an ideological barrier. Built by East Germany (German Democratic Republic, GDR), it was constructed to prevent people fleeing to West Berlin (under control of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and its allies).

On August 13, 1961 the Berlin Wall began construction; it was a 155 kilometer long concrete wall and was accompanied by a wide expanse of land referred to as the ‘death strip.’ It was surrounded by anti-vehicle trenches watchtowers, guard dogs and extensive barriers to stop unauthorized crossings.

2. Life in East Berlin

Life in East Berlin during the division was totally different to life in West Berlin. The GDR was a socialist state and its political and social structure reflected one of the Soviet Union’s influence, though, of course, politically it’s viewed as a puppet state. Here are some key aspects of life in East Berlin:

2.1 Socialist Economy

In the GDR, the economy was a planned economy, meaning that the government controlled and talked most of it. Most of the production was accounted for by the state owned enterprises, which has virtually no room for private entrepreneurship. Some goods were subsidized and consumer choices were limited as well as shortages were common.

2.2 Restricted Travel

In addition, the GDR enforced very strict rules concerning travel. There was also limited freedom of movement for citizens — both within their own country, and in international travel. Escape to West Germany, or any other capitalist country, was forbidden and the price for attempting to do so was high, with the usual consequences including imprisonment.

2.3 Surveillance, Secret Police

In East Berlin and throughout the GDR, the State Security Service, or Stasi, was responsible for keeping control. The Stasi were famous for their own broad surveillance of citizens, using informers and cutting edge technology to prey on those who had crossed them. Pervasive was the fear of being reported, the fear of being accused of subversion.

2.4 Ideological Control and Propaganda

Led by the GDR government, the control of the media, education and cultural institutions ensured that ideology was shaped in line with their authority. There was propaganda and the state tried to create a loyal and supportive citizenry through all kinds of means, such as the Free German Youth, youth organizations.

3. The Fall of the Berlin Wall

This slave state’s quarter was the symbol of the fall of Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989 and a milestone in world history, as the end of the Cold War and the unification of the Eastern and Western parts of Germany. The government had put itself under immense pressure from the peaceful protests and growing demands for political reform in East Germany and consequently the borders had to be opened.

Citizens from the walls’ opposite sides began to dismantle the physical barrier that had kept them apart for three decades and celebrated as they reunite. If the fall of the Berlin Wall was a triumph of democracy, freedom, and the ability of a people’s collective will to overcome, 1968 is just as much of a triumph of democracy, freedom, and the power of the people’s collective will.

4. The Legacy of the Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall’s legacy lives on in Germany and everywhere else. It reminds us of what happens when the politics becomes so divided and the charges of oppression so harsh, and of how those who fought to be free would not fall over the line. Memorials and museums have been preserved on parts of the wall, which allows visitors to see what the past was, and think not just about how individuals should act, but what unity and understanding mean.

Finally, the Berlin Wall and the division of East and West Berlin stands as a chapter in history. It all becomes more comprehensible in the context, the construction and the impact on the lives of the people living in East Berlin.