Welcome all to our in depth guide of the Berlin Wall. So if you are a history buff or a curious traveler, read on to find out all that you need to know about this monumental structure, which was once the city of Berlin’s divider. As we continue, let’s look back at history, why it was significant, and the effect it made on people’s lives.
1. The Berlin Wall – Origins
On August 13, 1961 was the day the Berlin Wall formally came into being, its official (called the “Antifasistischer Schutzwall”, or Anti-fascist Protective Barrier). This wall was built by the German Democratic Republic (GDR) to divide East and West Berlin at its highest point during the Cold War.
After World War II when the Soviet Union (USSR) and the United States (US) were in tensions with each other, Germany was divided into four zones, one controlled by each country. The city of Berlin, although situated in East Germany, was also divided into four sectors, each under the control of the Allies: the US, UK, France and the USSR.
When division became more and more ideological, many East Germans began capitalizing on the political and economic freedom in West Berlin. But GDR decided to build a fortified wall which became one of the most iconic symbols of Cold War.
2. The Structure and Components
The Berlin Wall spanned a total length of approximately 155 kilometers (96 miles) and consisted of various elements:
Concrete Wall: A four (13 foot) meter high concrete barrier was the central component of the Berlin Wall. The wall was only one meter (3 feet) thick, but this was later reinforced and was almost impenetrable.
Guard Towers: Amidst the wall, many guard towers were spread along it for the strong vantage point on the armed border guards, or “Grenztruppen.” They told these guards to shoot guys that were trying to cross the wall.
Dead Zone: An area called “the no man’s land,” or ‘death strip’, was made to prevent easy access to the wall. The range of this area varied from 30 to 100 meters (98 to 328 feet) wide and one saw minefields, barbed wire fences and anti-vehicle trenches here.
Border Crossings: While heavily fortified, there were a few designated (meaning they’re official border crossings into or out of East to West Berlin) border crossings, or ‘Checkpoint Charlie’s—if your papers were in order you were supposed to be able to cross East to West Berlin.
3. The Impact on Berliners
Shortly after the Berlin wall was constructed, it separated Berliners, their families, friends, and their loved ones overnight. Here are a few notable points:
Division of the City: Berlin was divided physically into two cities each with its respective systems of political, economic, and social systems. East Berlin was under the province of the Soviet Union while West Berlin became a capitalist enclave.
Escaping to the West: East Berliners had an immensely difficult time escaping to the West. They risked their lives to get across, whether the physical barriers or whether imprisonment or death itself.
Socio-Economic Consequences: The wall had long lasting socio economic results for both sides. East Berlin was a smog filled concrete jungle, an economic dead end for its people, that was subject to repressive communist rule, while West Berlin thrived into a vibrant metropolis that brought investment and talents to its city.
4. The Fall of the Berlin Wall
On November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall finally fell, almost three decades after East and West had been separate and at sharp odds. The collapse was a result of various factors, including:
Mass Protests: Rising discontent in East Germany as the result of economic breakdown and the lack of political freedom led to widespread protests of different cities demanding reform.
Relaxed Travel Restrictions: In the early hours of November 9, 1989, East German government announced it was allowing its citizens to freely cross the border into West Germany, and people celebrated and poured across the wall. After a while the people forced their way through the checkpoints over the guards resistance.
5. The Legacy of the Berlin Wall
The fall of the Berlin wall was a big change. Here are a few ways in which its legacy still impacts Berlin and the world today:
Reunification of Germany: That was the fall of the wall and the reunification of East and West Germany. Germany become united again on October 3, 1990.
Symbol of Freedom: The Berlin Wall is a reminder of struggle and the desire to be free and as such, an iconic symbol of the Cold War era and human willingness to overcome divides.
Historical Landmarks: Today Berlin also has preserved portions of the wall as historical monuments and memorials. Tourists from all over the world come to the East Side Gallery to look back on the past and triumph of unity.
Conclusion
The Berlin Wall is a practical memorial to the 20th century’s ideological clash. The construction and then fall of Berlin’s monument has left an unforgotten mark on the city and the world. While visiting what remains of this once unassailable barrier, let us remember the suffering and the giving that those living on both sides endured, and the reconciliation and peace that came later.