Many years the Berlin wall was an embodiment of the cleavage of the two systems as the capitalist and communism. The consequences of the physical separation between two parts of a city, relatives and lovers are relevant in the 21st century. In this blog post, information on aspects that characterized Berlin Wall, the reason for constructing the Wall, and the nation in between will be described.
The escalating Cold War tensions
The geopolitical context that was post World War II Europe was filled with tensions. During the war, Germany was occupied by the allied forces composed of the US, the USSR, Great Britain and France. Each of these nations was governing a particular sector. These two completely opposite philosophies would form the basis for the split of Germany and Berlin in future.
The Cold War enviously evolved from the relations between the US and the USSR. Stretched within the iron curtain of the Soviet dominated East Germany, Berlin was the great stage for this battle.
The Berlin Wall’s Construction
When the cold war escalated, thousands of East Germans were fleeing through West Berlin to West Germany which was wealthier. East Germany was getting a very raw deal out of this emiration wave which not only decreased the working population in East Germany but also gave an illusion that their socialist system was inferior to capitalism.
Late the evening of August 12, 1961 the other side of the split, the German Democratic Republic erected what is now famously known as the Berlin Wall with the aim of stemming the outflow. East Berlin and the part of East Germany were completely isolated from West Berlin, which was surrounded.
It started as concrete barriers and barbed wire fencing then evolved into watchtowers; walls; and anti-vehicle trap paths. These measures were intended to prevent and slow down East Germans from crossing over into West Berlin.
The Nation Split by the Berlin Wall
Which nation, then, was divided by the Berlin Wall? Germany is the answer. To be more precise, the Berlin Wall separated Berlin into two separate areas: East Berlin and West Berlin.
Within East Germany, West Berlin was a capitalist haven. The United States, the United Kingdom, and France were in possession of it. For the citizens of East Germany, West Berlin represented freedom as a democratic city encircled by a socialist nation.
The Soviet Union ruled East Berlin, the capital of East Germany, which was located on the opposite side of the wall. Representing their idea of a socialist state, it served as the centre of Soviet influence throughout Eastern Europe.
The Importance and Effect
The Berlin Wall had a significant effect on people who were immediately impacted as well as on a worldwide level. Numerous lives were irrevocably altered, livelihoods were upended, and families were split apart.
The wall served as a sobering reminder to the East German people of their lack of freedom. East Berlin struggled from repressive government control and a stagnating economy, whereas West Berlin prospered and enjoyed the political and economic liberties of the capitalist system.
After over thirty years of separation, the seemingly indestructible wall suddenly collapsed on November 9, 1989. An iconic representation of hope, solidarity, and the end of the Cold War was the picture of East and West Germans working together to tear down the wall.
An Ongoing Tradition
Even though Germany is now a single nation, the history and identity of the country are still strongly influenced by the Berlin Wall. The nation’s social, cultural, and political environment is still shaped by the wounds of division.
Visitors from all over the world come to Berlin to see the wall’s remains, which have been turned into an outdoor memorial. A moving reminder of the tenacity and resolve of the human spirit is provided by the East Side Gallery, an international art gallery painted on a portion of the wall.
In summary
The Berlin Wall separated East Berlin, which was ruled by the Soviet Union, from West Berlin, which was ruled by the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. This physical barrier, which served as a reminder of the strength of togetherness and the repercussions of ideological divisions, permanently altered the course of German history.
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