During World War II ending up until the early 1990s the United States fought the Soviet Union in a political and ideological Cold War. As the Cold War deepened the split of Berlin emerged as a main symbol of global rivalry between nuclear superpowers. During the Cold War let’s explore who governed West Berlin.
The Division of Berlin
At the end of World War II, Berlin, the capital of Germany, was divided into four sectors, each administered by one of the victorious Allies: During the Cold War the Soviet Union controlled East Berlin but the United States worked with France and Great Britain to govern West Berlin. East Germany’s Soviet-controlled region contained West Berlin which three Western powers – the United States, Great Britain, and France – governed.
Allied Control of West Berlin
The United States Great Britain and France worked together as the Allied Control Council to control West Berlin. They managed every part of the city’s leadership and management actions. All three Western nations needed to work together to keep a Western presence operating within Russian-controlled East German territory.
Soviet Blockade
The Soviet Union tested Western power limits in 1948 by closing all road and water access to West Berlin to take full control. To stop Soviet blockade supplies Western allies performed an extensive year-long transport of food and resource supplies to West Berlin. Their actions showed they would defend both West Berlin’s freedom and continued survival.
Formation of West Germany
Following World War II in 1949 the three Western powers founded the Federal Republic of Germany known as West Germany. West Berlin developed into an exclave where West German territory existed inside Soviet East Germany. Although Western authorities kept managing West Berlin after its creation.
Special Status of West Berlin
Even though West Berlin stood inside East German territory it kept exceptional standing rules. The Western powers brought Western systems of law, currency and democracy to run this de facto state. The Western countries put significant funds into developing West Berlin which turned the city into a thriving attraction during communist East Germany.
End of Allied Control
The Allied Control Council lost control of West Berlin as the division between East and West Germany ended in 1990. Following the end of the Cold War in 1989 West Germany’s unification showed up on display in the actual fall of Berlin Wall signifying the dissolution of Western-Eastern Bloc divisions.
The Reunification of Germany
After German reunification West Berlin joined the new Federal State of Berlin to form a district. Democratically-run Federal Republic of Germany absorbed the entire city into its governance system during the end of the Cold War period.
Conclusion
West Berlin stood as a demonstration of Western democracy against Soviet rule in the center of East Germany. Although the Soviet Union controlled the area around West Berlin the city stayed under joint American British and French leadership. When the Soviets imposed a blockade the Western powers proved their dedication to defend the West Berlin people. When the two German states merged the freezing conflict of World War II ended and the split of Berlin disappeared.
Studying West Berlin during Cold War times helps us understand better the problems that shaped the era. Through defending their democratic principles the Western countries taught the world about their dedication to democratic beliefs and their nation’s core values.