The Cold War may refer to the mistrust and open rivalry between the United States of America, and the Soviet Union after World War II. But one of the main causes of tension at that time was the city of Berlin. The aim of this blog post would be to discover why Berlin copped up to be the epicenter of the Cold War along with major incidents which were occurred around it.
The Division of Germany
After World War II, Germany was divided into four occupation zones, each controlled by one of the victorious Allied powers: the United States, the Soviet Union, Great Britain and France. Like all of East Germany’s cities, Berlin was divided into four sectors while its location was inside the area controlled by the Soviet Union.
This division created political tensions because the variation of the values of the west and the USSR was clearly seen. The east was basically dominated by the soviet Union and all the states in the region were socialist in nature on the other hand the west was liberalist in nature and was characterized with capitalisms and democracy.
The Berlin Wall
In 1961 construction of the Berlin Wall was started. Literally and socio-culturally the Wall encircled East Berlin from West Berlin. Its chief function was to discourage citizens of the German Democratic Republic from emigrating to the Federal Republic of Germany.
The Wall in Berlin was being transformed into a symbol of the divided world and of the Cold War. It also acted as physical division that limit families, friends and communities from one another. The establishmentof the wall only heightened the confrontation in the area that has come to be associated with conflict between the East and the West; Berlin.
The Berlin Airlift
During the Cold war the most important event that took place in Berlin was the Berlin airlift. The Soviets decided on a blockade in 1948 aiming in forcing the westberliner to leave Berlin. This blockade of West Berlin saw the complete denying of all form of supplies ranging from foods to fuel and other important commodities.
Consequently, the United States and its allies launched the Berlin Airlift. For several months, cargo planes kept bearing supplies to West Berlin without interruption. This operation demonstrated a resolve of the West to counter Soviet attack and defend its allies.
The Space Race
Berlin was also involved in the space race that was between United States and the Soviet Union. In the Cold War, there was wrestling to come up with the best technology and science among the two super powers. One of the competition’s highpoints was the race for the first human in space.
There as far back in 1961, a Russian, Yuri Gagarin became the first human to orbit this celestial body. This achievement made the cohorts of the United States and the Soviet Union was further fuel to the already burning fire. Berlin, being a focus of political rivalry, was observing how things happen in space.
The Fall of the Berlin Wall
The wall dividing the city, and by extension Europe and the world for four decades, was finally dismantled on November 9,1989. Its demolition signified the end of Cold War and German Reunification –East and West Germany. The Berlin Wall is now known to be the greatest symbol of freedom in world and a victory for the democratic world.
Conclusion
Berlin was a vital centre of the Cold War because of its geo-political position and the division by the barbed wire fence into East and West. It saw the rise and the decline of the Berlin wall, the Berlin airlift and was a center of competition in the space age. Prewar Berlin is a highly important city in the context of the Cold War historiography.
This way, using the experience of Berlin, people realize the general processes and actions that occurred during the Cold war period. This commentary is a good reminder of the many techniques that are employed in diplomacy in averting or resolving conflict.