Introduction

The significance of the berlin wall was evident of most of the cold war factor. Erected by the German Democratic Republic (GDR) in 1961, it physically divided the city of Berlin into two parts: East boys for the Soviets while West boys for the Western Allies and occupying powers.

This blogpost will reveal to how the Berlin Wall augmented tension during the years of its existence and affects on the former and also on west Germany and the global society.

Historical Context

After the war in 1945, the Germany was divided into four occupational zones the Berlin was in Soviet zone. By the 1950s the ideological rift between the Soviet Union and the Western Allies widens thus splits the city and builds the Berlin Wall.

The Division of Families

Probably the most painful impact of the construction of the Berlin Wall was the fact that families were split. Picture this: for one night, folks were unable to freely visit those dear to them or call them when they needed to. Marriages were disrupted, some women were denied choice of falling pregnant again, children were separated from their parents, leading to post traumatic effects.

The Suppression of Freedom

Through the events of the year 1961, the Berlin Wall acted as a barrier between East Berlin democracy and freedom in West Berlin. The main idea of the GDR government was to separate their people from the Western world by constructing a wall. It limited mobility, denied access to information its residents, and rationed freedom of speech pegging any form of protest as rebellion.

Escalation of the Arms Race

The extension of the wall in Germany brought more tension in relation to US and Soviet common area. This wall emerged as a symbol of the minds of the two economic systems – the capitalist system and the communism system. In return, both the superpowers augmented the military power and the nuclear capability which consequently augmented the intensity of the arms race while on the other hand which deteriorated the relations between them.

International Repercussions

The establishment of the Berlin Wall had far sweeping foreign consequences. To do this it illustrated the weakness of international diplomacy as well as the division of Europe into two power giants. People of the many countries all over the world regarded the wall as the symbol of the non-success of humanrights recognition, and the reminiscence of cold war.

The Fall of the Berlin Wall

28 years later in 1989 the Berlin wall came down indicating the end of the Cold War and German reunification. After receiving the messages of the wall, the tangible change of the peaceful protests made millions feel relieved of a great deal of hope in the world. In its fall it meant that people and ideas could be united again.

Conclusion

Beyond physical barrier, it was a symbol of tension and division that took place during the cold war. Its construction raised the conflict of East and West, provoked the arms race, and restricted freedom and human rights of people on the Eastern side.

Symbolically, the end of the Berlin Wall is the unique historical event that encodes a message of hope in people and various opportunities for the gradual emergence from conditions that at first glance cannot be changed. The knowledge of the existence of Berlin Wall makes us ponder on current and present standing of unity, freedom and peace in the world today.