Welcome to our beginner’s guide to the Cold War and its impact on East Berlin, Germany. In this article, we’ll explore the historical context, life in East Berlin during the Cold War, and the fall of the Berlin Wall. By the end of this post, you’ll have a solid understanding of this pivotal period in history.
1. The Cold War: A Brief Overview
From the late 1940s through early 1990s the Cold War formed a global standoff between Russia and America. People felt strong political pressures and fighting happened by proxy while each side built up its military arsenal.
- East Berlin’s Role
East Berlin stood as the main political battleground between the Western and Eastern sides of the Cold War divide. During World War II’s aftermath the Soviet Union ruled East Berlin and most parts of Eastern Germany as part of their four partitioned zones.
2.1 The Berlin Wall
Following the construction year of 1961 the East German administration built the Berlin Wall as a means to stop people from leaving for more capitalist regions in the West. The wall kept the city split in half and herded people away from their families during 30 years of life in separation.
2.2 Life in East Berlin
People suffered under East Berlin’s tough lifestyle because of both political repression and economic hardship. Residents had to accept total supervision from the government in everything they said, thought and read. People experienced regular supply problems with basic household necessities.
- Struggles and Protests
The East German authorities described themselves as working class representatives but East Berlin citizens increasingly resisted their control. The people of East Berlin called for more freedom in politics and wanted better life quality plus unity with West Berlin.
3.1 Uprising of 1953
People throughout East Berlin and other towns across East Germany marched against their government’s stricter work orders and political restrictions in 1953. Soviet military forces stopped the protests by using force which killed many people and sent them to prison.
3.2 Peaceful Revolution of 1989
The citizens of East Germany rose up across their country in 1989 to ask for changes to their political leadership and for freedom from rulers. On November 9, 1989 the Berlin Wall’s fall became the main factor that led to Germany uniting as one country.
- The Fall of the Berlin Wall
The fall of the Berlin Wall created an important landmark showing the end of Cold War separation between nations. East Berliners swarmed to the wall to enjoy their freedom and see loved ones across the border. East and West Germany joined as one country on October 3, 1990.
- Remembering the Cold War
Throughout Berlin you can find public exhibits that show us how the Cold War once shaped the cityscape. You will gain better insights into Cold War history when you explore the Berlin Wall Memorial with Checkpoint Charlie and similar locations.
Conclusion
The Cold War actions shaped East Berlin into a major historical event. Our knowledge about the struggles of East Berliners emerges when we study how the Berlin Wall came into existence and later collapsed.
This beginner’s guide introduced you to the Cold War and Berlin Wall topics and we look forward to your further exploration of them.
