The Berlin Wall was a concrete barrier that split Berlin for most of the nearly three decades after 1961. It was a very proper symbol of the Cold War and this gap between two worlds during the Cold War conflict. In understanding the historical background of the Berlin wall in this article, we will also give its history, architecture and effects.

1. The Origins of the Cold War

The Cold War was a time of political rivalry between America and Russia starting at the end of the Second World War up to early 1990s. It was marked by the ideological conflict between capitalist and communism, cold war in the form of arms race and proxy wars between the two super powers.

Following World War II, Germany was divided into four zones of occupation: American British French and Soviet. The same as in the case of Prague, the city of Berlin in the territory of Soviet occupied Germany was divided into four sectors. However, relations between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union deteriorated and Germany was divided into the West and East parts in 1948-1949.

2. Directly we get the construction of Berlin Wall.

Since the breakup of Germany, millions of the eastern Germans flooded themselves in western Germany in search of better economic prospects and liberty. To check this kind of massive emigration, the government of East Germany backed by the Soviet Union determined to construct a wall between East and West Berlin.

Berlin Wall was built on August 13 of 1961 as a result of a political decision made by the East Germany. At first, wire hurdles were put up; later they were replaced by concrete blocks and the wall barricaded the whole area of the city. In this line, provisions of wall facilities inclusive of guard towers, anti-vehicle trenches and other security features aimed at discouraging crossing of the wall where put in places.

2.1 Division of Families and Communities

Hearken one of the most dreadful impacts of the Berlin Wall; it separated families and communities from each other. A large number of patients suddenly lost the ability to visit their relatives and friends or talk to them for several years.

This last checkpoint at the Friedrichstraße crossing became one of the most popular ones between East and West Berlin: Checkpoint Charlie. The checkpoint was also the place, where it was possible to meet quite a few emotional scenes when people were allowed to embrace their nearest and dearest for a short time before the Border Control measures were put into force again.

2.2 Attempts to Escape

Despite, having sophisticated technical security measures, thousands of people tried Crossing over through the Berlin Wall. While some developed tunnels, others rely on ropes to transport their vehicles, and some drove through the MASH with their altered cars.

Many escape routes are well known such as tunnel 57 in dug in order to help the people to escape from East Berlin to West Berlin. What is more, there were cases of multiple escapes and some of the attempts were fatal – people died while trying to cross the wall.

3. History and Importance of the Berlin Wall

Constructions of the wall only bring the apparatus of division between two shores of the city, the division recognized all over the world as symbol of the Cold War. This was the wall that divided the communist world from the capitalists countries and its existence reflect the global rivalry in the era.

However, the effects of the Berlin Wall to the general public were negative and this was the cause of the Wall’s collapse. The wall then morphed into representation of effective dictatorship, authoritarianism and general repression of freedom under the soviet regime. This became a symbol of civil rights movement and 政治 activists, politicians and leaders seeking the end of the cold war and reunification of Germany.

4. Fall of the Berlin Wall

They remained erect for 28 years but in the year 1989 certain factors which culminated into the Berlin Wall fall. Large scale demonstrations were agitated in East Germany which earlier was clamoring for enhanced political liberty and liberalization of economy. The socialist leadership of East Germany yielded to pressure and decided to open berlin wall on 9th November 1989.

Thousands of East and West Germans rallied at the Wall with the hope of disintegration of the said barrier. This wall was vandalized, scaled and portions was peeled off sometimes for the fun of it or at other times for a shrine, and people came and went across the wall. The event which marked the beginning of change and led to the accession of Germany was the breaking down of the Berlin Wall.

5. Legacy of the Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall has broken today into the symbolic ruins, but it acts as a positive symbol of division longing for reunification and freedom. At present, which are parts of this wall and they can be seen and viewed in museums and memorial centers across the world.

Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, Germany has seen exciting political, economical and social political changes. This paper seeks to explore how reunification of both the East and West Germany came with emerging impacts and how the division is still felt in the German society up to this present time.

5.1 Learning from History

And last but not the least is the story of the even more sadly famous Berlin Wall and acknowledgment of the fact that how much we have to pay to have our freedom. It makes us remember the need to keep striving towards accepting and coming together all over the globe despite still dealing with some geopolitics issues.

5.2 Preserving the Memory

Tourism with emphasis on historical aspects especially those including the Berlin Wall deserves to be maintained since it serve as reminders of impact of the division compared to that of unity. It iss due to such halting tangible history some of which include the Berlin Wall Memorial or even Checkpoint Charlie Museum that such a history remains constant.

Therefore it was constructed during the Cold War to stand as a wall that divides the east and the west Berlin. They remained as a symbol of the divide of the ideological and the political make-up of communism versus capitalism. In , it ultimately collapsed, a time that was ushering in reunification of Germany and was reflected in distinguishing aspect of freedom and unity.