On August 13, 1961, the German Democratic Republic (GDR), commonly known as East Germany, constructed the Berlin Wall. This divisive barrier physically separated East Berlin from West Berlin, completely altering the geopolitical landscape of Germany and the world. Understanding why East Germany built the Berlin Wall is essential to comprehend the complex factors that contributed to its construction.
1. The Cold War Context
The construction of the Berlin Wall had its fundamental basis in the general’s political and ideological attack asserted by a Cold War era. Following World War II, Germany was divided into four occupied zones: British, Soviet, American. Like the city of Berlin, Berlin itself was also divided in the same way, into the Soviet zone.
After that tensions rose between the Soviet Union and all the Western powers, particularly with the United States. Believing Western ‘fascist elements’ somehow might have been infiltrating their territory the GDR was under Soviet influence. To reinforce itself, then, East Germany built the Berlin Wall to restrain emigration and prevent its citizens from fleeing to the West.
2. Economic and Political Going
Beyond the global political context in which the Berlin Wall was built, East Germany had an economic and political interest of their own, for this reason, this German Wall was necessary.
2.1 Loss as a Result of Brain Drain
Skilled professionals, intellectuals and young workers fled East Germany to seek a better life in the West and most were no longer prepared to stay when the Wall came down. This mass migration cost the GDR not only economically, but intellectually, depriving the country of its functions and development work.
East Germany erected the Berlin Wall to keep out its emigrating citizens and keep its workforce from leaving, a move that was intended both to stem the tide and to give the country a more stable economic foundation.
2.2 International Recognition and Political Reputation
The GDR was not recognized internationally and was lacking legitimacy. However, the East German government was convinced that a Berlin Wall would let them rule over East Germany and manifest to the world the appearance of a strong power. This was their wall and it would be a symbol of power and unbreakable commitment to socialism.
3. The People’s Reaction
The construction of the Berlin Wall came at once and as a shock to the people of the divided city.
3.Isolation and Family Separation 1
This left families and friends separated for the first time overnight, and separated from one another going forward. Berlin Wall had isolated, depressed, and longed for reunification.
3.2 Escaping the GDR
But escape attempts over or under the Berlin Wall were dangerous and many were prepared to take the risks. Some made it, some sadly did not. The rapes, along with these escapes attempts, made it clear the pain and the yearning for freedom that existed throughout East German society.
4. Fall of the Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall finally fell on November 9, 1989 after years of protests, pressure, and shifting political tides. The day this historic event happened was the dawn of the end of Cold War, which is the end of divided Germany.
The fall of the Berlin Wall was the victory of freedom, democracy and German union. It was a moment in history still echoing through today.
Conclusion
Political, economic and social motivations, and the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961. The various ways it was subtly embraced was a physical manifestation of the ideological divisions that defined the era of Cold War, to keep East Germans from flying to the West.
The Berlin Wall was hard, suffering, grief for those effected by it. But its breakways brought German reunification, and lifted hope for less divided world.
By knowing the reason why the Berlin wall was built, we can learn from history and appreciate the value of freedom so as to help build a more inclusive and unit future.