Cold War, the political rivalry which existed between the United States and the Soviet Union greatly influenced the world history. Perhaps one of the better known representations of this period was the physical wall which separated Berlin for nearly thirty years. In the following article, I’ll have a closer look at the history of the Berlin Wall and what finally caused it to crumble.

The Berlin Wall: Its Construction

The physical barrier that came to be known as the Berlin wall started being built on August 13 in 1961. They were a function of the increasing Anglo-American-Soviet rivalry in the year preceding the war. East Germany that was dominated by the Soviet Union erected the wall to avoid citizens from moving to West Berlin, an area administered by the Allies.

It was a system of concrete walls, guard towers and barriers and barbed wire surrounding the perimeter of the camp. It stretched for about 96 miles, and put West Berlin in geographical isolation from East Germany. It was accomplished quickly, and with a degree of professionalism that took everyone by surprise.

The Impact on the People

On many people’s lives the construction of the Berlin Wall had a devastating effect. Spouses and children were secluded from each other and could not talk or even visit one another. Literally overnight, Berlin the city became symbolic of the world that was divided during the period of cold war.

As relates to crossing the wall, the consequences were severe. Many people died in attempts of crossing the border from East Berlin to West Berlin. This wall was no more simply a division between two parts of a city and an expression of struggle against the wall and for freedom.

Life Behind the Wall

East and West Berlin had very different living conditions when the Berlin Wall separated the two city factions. On one side of the wall, West Berlin was prosperous, democratically free, and safe, while on the other side of the wall, East Berlin was oppressed under a regime of totalitarian dictator), or a simple cinema (on one side of the wall, people could freely make films and create whatever they wanted as the society of West Germany was safe and democratic, while on the opposite side of the wall people had to do it in secret as the regime Daily life in East Berlin; restricted personal freedom, access to product choices, and state-controlled media were the characteristics that citizens had to endure.

Nevertheless, East Berliner’s managed and adapted with the life they were given and endured by making do with what they had. Organizationally, the Solidarity of the East Berliners increased with the formation of its underground music, arts, and culture.

The Fall of the Berlin Wall

The structure and the causes of the breakage of the Berlin Wall can be explained by internal as well as external reasons. The transition of the Soviet Union politically can be dated back to the late 1980s. An entirely new leadership started coming to power and with them came a more pragmatic approach in dealing with other countries.

In 1989 mass protests for political changes happened throughout East Germany. There is no way the government could have prevented these demonstrations and the increasing clamor from within and outside the country marked the new dawn. On 9 November 1989 the East German gov- ernment declared that citizens could freely cross the Berlin Wall.

Legacy of the Berlin Wall

The event that started to dismantle the Cold War was the break up of the Berlin Wall. It was an expression of democracy over communism and also the Germany ‘s reunion. One of embracing facets which resulted from the pulling down of the wall was the enhancement of social change in Germany as well as in Europe at large.

Now you can see parts of the Berlin Wall and some other evidence of the Soviet Union’s presence in the country. In East Berlin today, The East Side Gallery consisting of the mural paintings by artists from all over the world has symbolically remained a symbol of freedom quo.

Conclusion

The Berlin Wall was physical and metaphorical division in Europe during the Cold War between two differing cultures and ways of life. The attempts of construction and the very destruction had monumental effects as millions of lives were involved. The fight for freedom and the unity is the commemoration of the Berlin Wall to the people of the United States of America.