The Wall was a concrete perimeters that divided the territory of Berlin into East and West during the years 1961-1989. Built by East Germany popularly known as GDR, the purpose was to ensure that more people did not flee from east Germany to west Germany.
The East Germany authorities decided that the construction of the Wall should commence on 13 August 1961 and the decision was implemented at 12 August 1961. They erected a concrete wall that had armed soldiers around it and which had barbed wire at the top.
Purpose of the Berlin Wall and the Berlin Wall in Motion
In its basic function he Berlin Wall served to prevent East Germans from emigrating to the West Germany and the Western Bloc countries. It perhaps served as a concrete barrier to families, and a metaphorical one together with personal liberties.
The construction of the Berlin Wall proved immensely devastating in the live of Berlin residents of both East and West Berlin. Families were split as such, and people in the east could not visit people in the west of the wall. The wall was a representation of communism and Capitalism that had separated the two countries for most of the Cold War.
Berlin Wall: The Significant Events
1. Construction of the Wall: August 13, 1961
The wall began with a barb wire that was changed to a concrete wall that stretched to cover the whole city border. The construction was done by authorities of GDR and the action was protested and opposed by West Germans and some of the Easterners.
2. Checkpoint Charlie: October 22, 1961
Checkpoint Charlie was one of the most popular crossing between East and West Berlin during the time the wall was constructed. They included diplomats, military, and foreigners as well as resident farmers and herders and persons transiting from one place to another. Thischeckpoint was particularly volatile during the Cold War because of the many rivalries between the two sides.
3. Fall of the Wall: November 9, 1989
People’s demand, changes in the leadership, shifts in the political map of the world have now culminated into the pulling down of the Berlin Wall after almost three decades. This event can be dictated as the starting point of German reunification and the conclusion of the cold war.
The Berlin Wall and Its Historic Present
Now, there are only a few sections of the Berlin wall present retaining a small memory of Germany’s history. The last one is the longest of them which is the East Side Gallery is an outdoor gallery for mural artworks painted by international artists.
Traveling to Berlin gives a chance to become aware of the effects of the wall and think about the essential transformation that happened after the Wall’s collapse. History museums, monuments, and sites document the Civil War period and teach the public about the lives of the inhabitants.
Conclusion
The Berlin Wall was erected during the night of August 13, 1961, splitting East and West Berlin and being demolished on November 9, 1989. Its construction was intended to prevent the flow of citizens from East Germany to West Germany. The wall saved many lives but today reminds people of division and victory of unification.
