This blog introduces you to the simple definition of the Berlin Wall during the Cold War history period. Our site is perfect for people who know nothing about this subject. Our exploration begins with this major wall that split Berlin and defined a world split into two parts.

What was the Berlin Wall?

Under the Cold War period the Berlin Wall served as a hard physical border between West Berlin which British allied forces ran and East Berlin which the Soviet Union governed. On August 13, 1961 the German Democratic Republic established the barrier until its removal on November 9, 1989.

Why was it built?

The East German government built the Berlin Wall because too many citizens from the country wanted to move to West Germany for better economic opportunities. The East German government built a physical barrier because its citizens were leaving East Berlin to better lives in the West.

This decision was influenced by several factors, including:

The Cold War: During the Cold War the Berlin Wall stood as a real physical barrier that split the competing Western capitalist and Eastern communist belief systems.

Brain Drain: The labor shortage of skilled workers professionalism and intellectual talent was a serious problem for East Germany as they migrated west. East German society risked losing its workforce and intellectual talent when skilled people moved to the West.

What were the consequences?

The Berlin Wall brought significant economic, social and political effects that changed Germany and the planet forever. Some of the key consequences include:

Separation of Families and Friends: The barrier physically separated relatives who lived across from each other and made it hard for them to be together and talk.

Loss of Freedom: East Berliners found it hard to cross through the wall because it stopped them from enjoying West Berlin’s cultural and economic space.

Symbol of Oppression: The Berlin Wall came to represent how Communist-led nations controlled and oppressed their citizens.

Escape Attempts and Loss of Lives: East German people made many attempts to cross into West Berlin through climbs, tunnels, and inventive ways to escape. Several people died when they tried to escape from East Berlin.

The Fall of the Wall and Reunification: On November 9, 1989 history changed forever with the collapse of the Berlin Wall. Germany came back together and Cold War tensions ended between East and West.

Conclusion

During the Cold War the Berlin Wall functioned as both a fence and a divider to keep East and West Germany apart. Building the wall separated people while breaking down countries yet bringing about its destruction resulted in lasting changes to societies everywhere. Today we use the wall remnants to teach others about our need to be free and deeply connected together while showcasing our determination as people.

We want to provide you with our simple explanation of how the Berlin Wall shaped the Cold War era. To learn more about this subject take a closer look at its past development and worldwide effects. Thank you for reading!