The original Berlin Wall has been a landmark in history, if there ever was one. It was a physical barrier standing for almost 3 decades, a symbol of the division of Berlin and East against West. This complete guide takes a look at the history, construction and collapse of the Berlin Wall and its lasting effects in present day Germany.
1. A History of the Berlin Wall
In 1961, the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) built the Berlin Wall to stop citizens from emigrating to the capitalist West via their capital Berlin. The barbed wire and concrete wall that marked the Cold War divide between Western and Eastern Bloc powers, stretched some 155 kilometers (96 miles).
The wall was modified over the years, becoming more and more a complex fortification system of guard towers, anti vehicle trenches, and several layers of barriers. Above all, this had the intention to prevent East Germans from seeking refuge in West Germany, and above all in West Berlin, which was an island of democracy situated on the territory of East Germany.
2. Construction and Composition
On the 13th of August 1961, overnight soldiers and police officers set up barbed wire all over the city and started building the Berlin Wall. Concrete elements were quickly added to strengthen the fortification, effectively dividing Berlin into two separate entities: East Berlin and West Berlin.
Over time, the wall developed with the addition of several key components which got harder and harder for people to get over the border. These included:
- Up to 3.6 m (12 ft) high concrete walls
- Equipped with watchtowers and guards and searchlights
- Anti vehicle trenches and metal fences
These elements combined to deny East Berliners nearly unlimited access and make escape from it close to impossible for most.
3. Life Along the Wall
On one side, life along the Berlin Wall was very different from that on the other. East Berliners were so closely watched that, for instance, any attempt to cross the border without permission would be severely punished, while west Berliners had just the freedom to move about their city with relative ease.
Families and friends were separated and now the wall grew ever stronger. Stiff controls and a ‘shoot to kill’ order for those who tried to escape were a part of the Soviets’ intention to prevent emigration. Too many East Berliners ended up losing their lives or being imprisoned trying to get to the other side.
4. The Fall and Reunification
But on November 9, 1989 — nearly 28 years after its construction — the Berlin Wall came down, under the weight of peaceful protesters who carried not only their thoughts and ideas, but also their collective dreams, to those on the German side of Berlin. The fall of the wall was a historic moment, and it was a moment when the Cold War ended and when Germany was reunified.
When the wall came down, fragments were prized souvenirs or used for commemorative purposes. But today, some sections of the Berlin Wall are on display in museums, parks and historic sites as a tribute to the spirit of the human kind that won and to those who have longed for unity.
5. The Legacy of the Berlin Wall
Fall of the Berlin Wall is still felt even though it was decades ago. It represents an emblematic figure of the human thirst for freedom, and the consequences of ideological disaggregation. The wall that was built has had social, economic and psychological effects that are still divide people of Berlin and Germany at large.
After reunification efforts have been made to preserve the memory of the wall and to prevent forgetting its lessons. The Berlin Wall Memorial and Checkpoint Charlie Museum are two museums which present history and meaning of the wall, helping visitors to learn about this defining period in German history.
In Conclusion
To begin with, it is not only a historic landmark, but a reminder of human power to unify, and to forge unity between people. The story of its construction, existence and eventual fall is fascinating and ever present in the lives of Germany and the world.