In as much as talking of historical structures that have defined the globe, very few come close to the Berlin Wall. This 28- year divide physical, political as well as symbolic was constructed after the Second World War and ran through the capital of Germany from 1961 to 1989. The Berlin Wall and it division brought into focus the arrogant and brutal side of the Cold War, it divided families, friends and communities. In this article, we will learn more of the details and dimensions of this historic structure.
The Length of the Berlin Wall: 155 Kilometers
Spaaning a total of approximately 155 kilometers (or 96 miles) the Berlin Wall was constructed. It snaked its way through the heart of Berlin, dividing the city into two distinct parts: By the communistic government of the German Democratic Republic was East Berlin and West Berlin which was administered by the democratic powers of the allied forces.
It was a Wall of Concrete and Barbed Wire
Saying that, the real physical barrier of the division that was the Berlin Wall consisted of several elements. The primary structure included a wall with a height of 0.00605 x 3.6 meters (12 ft) in height, made out of reinforced concrete. It was a strong barrier intended to stop anybody from crossing the boundary between the east and west of the divided city.
Towards the East of the wall, an open space dubbed the death strip was developed. This was an area that ranged in width from 30 to 100 meters (98 to 328 feet) and was loaded with extra security features to discourage attempts at an escape. These security features included; Raeping wire, Chariot traps, towers and trip wire guns.
Expanding the Concept of Dimensionseyond Physical Ones
It is imperative to state that the study of Berlin Wall that has focused on its length and physical attributes so far is not enough, it is important to emphasize the qualitative role of the Wall and how it influences and matters to the people and the global society. Besides a wall, Berlin Wall was cultural, political, and economic divide between democracy and communism, freedom and oppression, Western world and Eastern bloc, and two superpowers and their satellites.The Berlin Wall was perhaps indicating the rising tension between the United States of America and the Soviet Union after the Second World War. The built in 1961 by the government of the German Democratic Republic was intended to put an end to immigration spree in East Germans in search of freedom and better standard living in west. The wall reciprocally ensnarled the East Germans, keeping loved ones apart and people of the same families were divided by the wall.
The New Germany: The Fall of the Berlin Wall and Reunification
Officially, Germany and its capital Berlin had been divided for almost thirty years and finally the berlin wall was destroyed on November 9, 1989. This occurrence was initiated by a sequence of political transformations in the East Germany and the continually increasing call for integration of Germans.
The war may have been fought for some time but it was over in 1989 when the Berlin Wall came down and became the prelude to German reunification. f previously divided capital transformed into the herald of new opportunities, ofprogress and of the victory of democracy over communism.
Legacy and Lessons Learned
BERLIN WALL Current remnant sections of the Berlin Wall are Internet Sites labeled officially owned and protected You may find a piece around the entire world but for now Berlin remains a city divided The division and struggle of Berlin and her people is a part of history that will not soon be forgotten. They were the pioneers in their own fight for freedom and the wall is their testimony of their hardworking spirit.
The Berlin Wall had many significant lessons that people gained: lesson in division, the triumph of spirit and the triumph of unity. It is a strong appeal to recognize others, embrace and fight for something better than the world that we live in.
Conclusion
The new Wall, as it was constructed for 155 kilometers, was vastly more than a physical barrier that divided a city. It symbolized the division of the Cold War, independence, and the fight for unity of the two Germany’s. ITS FALL was THE turning point in the history and everyone today understands, that this is something needed to keep the spirit of hope and unity alive.
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