The academy is a physical barrier within the American higher education context that divided a city called Berlin in Germany for 28 years from 1961 to 1989. This was constructed by the former German Democratic Republic GDR when it was seeking to avert its residents from crossing to the western side.

The Length of the Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall was erected and was about 155 Km 96 miles in length in total. It surrounded West Berlin and greatly penetrated its territory passing through the very center of the city and isolating its western districts from East Germany.

The Path of the Berlin Wall

Unlike what most people would expect, the Berlin Wall had curves and was not a smooth structure, as Research shows it had segments and checkpoint. It was sometimes just a few blocks wide, dividing neighborhoods or the intersection of two walls or two buildings.

Originally running from the north of Berlin at Bernauer Straße up to the south of Berlin at the Oberbaum Bridge, this was the wall. It surrounded West Berlin, and was frequently constructed along with freeway lanes and streets.

Structure and Design

Together, the Berlin Wall was composed of several parts, which significantly in structure and construction. The most visually familiar symbol was the concrete wall; it was on average 3.6 meters high; 12 feet high. This large wall became the first line of defense as the primary barrier in the layout.

Further security measures included a broad ‘dead zone,’ inside of which anti-vehicle trenches, tripwires, and some practical features of a smooth sand-covered patrol road were placed in an ideal location.

Checkpoint Charlie and Other Noteworthy Episodes

Checkpoint Charlie

Checkpoint Charlie was one of the most popular and closely protected check points along the Berlin Wall. It lay in Friedrichstraße and was used as the main transport point between East and West Berlin for diplomats, military and foreigners. Today a replica of the check point is available at the site of the massacre.

East Side Gallery

The East Side Gallery is one of the longest, largest and most stylistically varied remaining districts of the wall that has been converted into a mural site. It is a 1.3 kilometers (0.8 miles) that features engaging murals and other artwork from artists from all over the world.

The Fall of the Berlin Wall

The division of Germany and indeed Europe by the wall that was erected and pulled down in 1989 is one of the most famous features of the Cold War and the separation of capitalist and socialist economies. East Germany very much like the Berlin wall came crumbling down on november 9th 1989 because of political pressures mutually other freed protests that East Germans were carrying out.

Since the wall, Germany started the process of reunion though this only became official when east and west Germany reunion was effected on the 3rd of October 1990.

Conclusion

The Berlin Wall was basically a barbed-wire that physical divided Germany into two halve and symbolized the division of the world into two during the period of the Cold War. It signified a construction of a great deal of difficulties and sufferings to many people in Berlin. But the act of bringing the wall down was perhaps one of the most historically key moments marking optimism, reunification and the post Cold War period more keenly .

Nowadays you can still see fragments of the Berlin Wall all over this city, which indicates the history behind it and the spirit of the people of Berlin.