Concept of the Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall was a barrier erected by the government of East Germany from August 1961 until November 1989 and by its successor government from April to July 1992. It divided Berlin into two separate entities: The sovereign East Berlin controlled by the Soviets and the totally sovereign West Berlin controlled by the Americans, British, and French. Wall was a symbol of ideological and political division between Western democracies and between East Bloc.

Berlin Wall Construction

On August 13, 1961, the Berlin Wall was commenced by its construction. The GDR said the wall was needed to guard its citizenry from the tidal wave of Western capitalism, and to avoid mass emigration to West Germany. The wall ran about 96 miles, and included such barriers as concrete walls, fences, watchtowers and a ‘death strip’ with landmines and anti-vehicle trenches.

When they woke up, many of West Berliners were caught off guard by the construction of the wall, which overnight divided their city. Widespread despair, numerous protests and families separated gripped the migrants as they ended up on the wrong side of the wall. The wall became a symbol of the Cold War to last.

Impact of the Berlin Wall

Cold War Berlin Wall was of major significance: For East Germany, as well as West Germany and international community. Here are some key points:

1. Symbol of Divided Berlin

The Berlin Wall is symbolic of the separating of communism with democracy. During the Cold War, it also remained a constant reminder of that tense geopolitical situation.

2. Restrictions on Movement

West Berlin was cut off from the rest to it’s surroundings by East Germany and the wall separated people from goods. Crossing between the two parts of the city was made difficult for those that needed to, thanks to the checkpoints and strict border controls.

3. Escapes and Attempts

Many East Germans over the years have tried to escape to West Berlin. Some of them made it through and some didn’t. Attempts at escape included tunnel digging, jumping out of windows and on at least one occasion utilising hot air balloons.

4. Checkpoint Charlie

A symbol of the Cold War was Checkpoint Charlie found at the crossing points between East and West Berlin. Its importance is reflected in a reminder, and it also witnessed tense standoffs of American and Soviet forces.

5. Peaceful Protests

This wall sparked peaceful protests and resistance movements. Of course, the Wall didn’t fall without the 1989 Peaceful Revolution that helped bring it down.

The Fall of the Berlin Wall

Fall of the Berlin Wall is a predictor that brought Cold War to an end. Here’s what happened:

1. Peaceful Revolution

In 1989 East German protesters demanded political reform, freedom of speech and freedom to travel with a series of peaceful protests and demonstrations. They were becoming more and more demonstrations which culminated in the resignation of the GDR government.

2. Open Border Policy

On November 9, 1989, the East German government lifted the border controls, allowing citizens of East Germany to cross that border freely. East German borderguards opened the gates as thousands of East Germans rushed towards the Berlin Wall checkpoints.

3. Reunification, Celebrations

Both sides celebrated spontaneously for the fall of the Berlin Wall. Others started to take hammers and chisels to the wall, breaking it apart, a gesture to reunify the country of Germany. After that, reunification continued and the two countries became officially reunited into one state on October 3rd, 1990.

Legacy of the Berlin Wall

Cold war era political and ideological divisions are embodied of the Berlin wall. Its impact is reflected in various aspects:

1. Lessons in History

Now, the remains of the Berlin Wall remind us of what happens when we split a country, squelch freedom. This is a lesson to future generations what value of unity and peace is.

2. Tourist Attraction

Some of the Berlin Wall remains preserved and serves as a memorial and a museum today. They can learn the story of those who helped build, and those who lived through, its construction and fall.

3. Unification Challenges

Economic disparities and cultural integration were all hurdles that the reunification of East and West Germany presented. A country’s identity is still being formed by the legacy of the Berlin Wall.

Conclusion

During the Cold War the sliver of Berlin was an ideological and physical barrier. The fall of its construction had a great impact to Germany and to the world. To this day that wall affects us, the point of freedom, unity, and division.