During the Cold War era, the division of Germany after World War II resulted in the creation of two separate German states: West Germany formally known as the Federal Republic of Germany and East Germany formally known as the German Democratic Republic. It was mainly politic, ideological in the confrontations between the Eastern Bloc headed by the Soviet Union and the Western Bloc led by USA.
What was West Berlin?
West Berlin was unique within the framework of the Cold War politics. It was a Western backed state situated inside the geographical area of East Germany. It was the geographical region of Berlin located in the western section of the city Nestled within East Germany.
These were a number of issues that arose as political status of West Berlin prior to signing The Treaty of Moscow.
West Berlin was one the foreign political divisions of Germany, though was not considered a part of West Germany itself. After the division of Germany the Western Allies including United States, United Kingdom and France occupied and administered West Berlin. The Soviet Union, however, controlled and governed East Berlin and it became the capital of East Germany.
The Four-Power Agreement
Because the Soviet authorities were to maintain a guarantee for stability in West Berlin, a special quadripartite agreement was signed. This agreement was recognized as the Four- Power Agreement on Berlin and entered into in 1971. By this accord, West Berlin came under the military occupation of three western Allies – the United States, the United Kingdom and France but also under Soviets.
Access and communication
Because of this, transportation links existed between West Berlin and West Germany mainly represented by three air corridors and roads, railways as well. In order to safeguard free access to and from West Berlin the Allies made this provision when signing new agreements.
Social and economic aspects
Even though West Berlin was in East Germany it still had the infrastructures, privileges and the economical standards of the western Germany. The West German government thus channelled considerable funds to West Berlin thereby offsetting the problems associated with its detachment.
Life in West Berlin
The distinct characteristics of living in West Berlin are as follows, and it will detail here. Although the city was physically located deep inside East Germany and Soviet dominated territories, West Berlin evolved as a symbol of freedom,983 people come to West Berlin to freedom, artists, writers and those who aspire ideas of free society.
National and artistic-cultural value
West Berlin was central to music and arts scenario during the Cold War. It developed into haven for musicans, writers, directors and qualitatively different creative personalities. They succeeded in making the city among the most popular places to be associated with punk/new wave and electronic music.
Checkpoint Charlie
The most famous border crossing point between East and West Berlin; Checkpoint Charlie was an icon of extreme separation of the Eastern and the Western blocs. Surrounded by soldiers andbearing the physical demarcation of the boundary betweencapitalism and communism it was.
Reunification of Germany
Indeed, the breakdown of the Berlin Wall in November 1989 signified the start of the reunification of Germany. The two German countries that were divided after World War II were reunited officially on 3 rd of October in the year 1990. Consequently, West Berlin was made a constituent of the germinal Germany when it was reunified.
Conclusion
’All in all, West Berlin was an isolated island within East Germany during the largely Cold War period. However, West Berlin was not a part of West Germany neither politically; it was occupied by the United States, United Kingdom, France and the Soviet Union. At the same time, it received the economic backing from West Germany and represented freedom in a divided city. Germany was in the process of reunification in 1990s it included West Berlin as a part of the Germany. Overcoming on the topic of division and the special characteristics of West Berlin provides insight on the processes of the Cold War period.