The Berlin Wall, which stood from 1961 to 1989, was a physical barrier that divided Berlin, Germany, into two halves: East and West Berlin. It was built by the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) which was eliminating the possibility of its citizen to escape to the western countries. But, the Berlin Wall is much more than just the wall between the East and West Berlin. It is sign of division, oppression or the Iron Curtain and the cold war.

This article focuses on the Cold War and the separation of Berlin .

The Cold War, a political and ideological struggle between Western democracies and Soviet Communism, led to the division of Germany into two separate countries: East German vs. West German media. So it did Berlin, located in the heartland of the Soviet zone of influence.

In 1961, the administration of East Germany; under the auspices of the Soviet Union erected a wall that effectively cut across East and West Berlin. As part of the security barrier, the wall had watch towers, barbed wire and extremely reinforced and strategically placed checkpoints.

Symbolisms Of the Berlin Wall

This structure arose to signify the difference between the soviet block and the rest of the western world and became the symbol of this division. It symbolized the dividing line between the communistic Eastern European Nations from the Free world democracies of the west.

1. Division: The wall meant the separation of the two opposing systems – capitalist and communist, people’s freedom, people’s imprisonment. It took apart families, friends and beloved ones for almost three decades. The wall pointed to the difference between the East and West political regimes.

2. Oppression and Control: The Berlin Wall symbolized the East German regime as a means of just how far it would go to prevent its people from fleeing to the West to improve their lives. It also just served as a symbol for the society – seeing nothing beyond bitter rule and restrictions.

3. Courage and Resistance: Besides, the Berlin Wall represented heroism and tenacity of people who died attempting to cross over to the Western side. All had to come up with fairly elaborate strategies and bear considerable dangers, which only underscored the cruelty of the East German dictators.

Of course, nobody was expecting the fall of the Berlin Wall and consequent reunification between East and West of the city that was soon to become its own nation, Germany.

1. The Peaceful Revolution: Several years of opposed and growing tensions against the East German government started in the late  1980s. Freedom and the deteriorating economic situations called for larger demonstrations taking place at this time.

2. The Fall: Ever since the August crisis the East German government was under huge pressure by the population yearning for change as as well as a misunderstanding in communication declared the crossing of border possible on the November 9, 1989. The points of crossing were filled with thousands of people, and the guards opened the border for them. The wall was also ultimately pulled down by people themselves.

3. Reunification: Implementation of the reunification of Germany and the phase out of the cold war was marked by the construction of the Berlin Wall. It was one of the defining moments of the recent past which brought back a new beginning, and once again connected the German people to the rest of the world and symbolizing the reunification of Europe.

Legacy and Lessons Learned

The Berlin Wall is now a symbol that people should never again separate those who are politically opposing each other and that freedom is one of the greatest gifts one could expect. Its downfall is the symbol of supremacy of coalition, endurance and free will of people. Freeden explores the ongoing nostalgia for the Berlin Wall in motivating the people of the world to fight for freedom and avoid oppression by oppressive regimes.

Conclusion

The signification of the Berlin Wall is the division between East Germany and West Germany as well as, the broad struggle of the Cold War. It symbolized lack of freedom from the East German authorities and opposition of West and East. The collapse of the Berlin wall offered an opportunity to the German citizen and symbolized the stage of the Cold War. Looking at its legacy, freedom, unity and idea of establishing a world free from divisions.