Introduction
On 9 November 1989, the Berlin Wall fell, bringing not only an end to the Cold War and resulting in Germany’s reunification, but also allowing Schröder to assume his office of chancellor. The concrete barrier had been an enormous political, social and cultural division of the city of Berlin since 1961. In this post we will look at the events leading up to, and during the fall of the Berlin Wall, the what actually transpired, and ultimately what the historical fall of the Berlin Wall meant for the world.
The Cold War and Berlin Wall
When World War II ended in 1945, Germany was divided into four occupation zones occupied by the victorious Allied powers — the United States — the Soviet Union — Great Britain — and France. That’s exactly how it went; the city of Berlin, well into Soviet-controlled East Germany, itself was also split up by the same four powers.
According to the Cold War ideologies, there grew the tensions between the Allied powers due to the role played by us and the Soviet Union, especially the United States and the Soviet Union, which became ideological divisions between capitalistic and communist. There was a split between the two in terms of how each led a life in East and West Berlin. An outpost of democracy and economic well being, West Berlin attracted people from inside East Berlin hoping for a better life.
On August 13, 1961, the Berlin Wall went up overnight under East German government behind the Soviet Union, to help contain the mass migration of people from East to West. Barbed wire, fortifications with guard towers and armed patrols completed the wall, which was intended to stop East Berliners from trying to find better opportunities by fleeing over to the West.
About the Fall… of Sorts
Reforms and political changes began in the 1980s in the Eastern Bloc, given the start of a thawing of a Cold War climate. In the late 1980s Mikhail Gorbachev came to power as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union ushering in a second wave of openness and political reforms, or perestroika and glasnost.
The government then eased restrictions on emigration to Western countries in Hungary, a Soviet satellite state. A mass exodus of East Germans fled to Hungary, took refuge in the West German embassies. Thousands of East German geprs gathered in Embassies across Eastern Europe putting pressure on the East German government to allow them to travel to the west.
Peaceful Revolution in the East Germany
But the East German government relented to the people’s demand, as they rose into the streets amidst the mounting protests, and hunger for freedom. On the evening of November 9th, 1989, Günter Schabowski, the man in charge at East German Politburo, gave a press conference broadcast on television to the East Germans only, and during that very press conference, he announced erroneously that the travel restrictions were to be lifted immediately.
The opening of the Berlin Wall was announced like wildfire, and thousands gathered at border crossings. At first guards were taken by surprise and overwhelmed, so eventually were pushed to open the already closed checkpoints to allow the crowds in. Crowds of West Berliners greeted East Berliners flooding through on that side. This event was as peaceful as can be, leading to the sort of celebrations that echoed around the world.
The Impact and Its Aftermath.
The fall of the Berlin Wall was important to the world in general as well as to Germany.
The Reunification and the End of the Cold War
Ultimately it was the fall of the wall that paved the way for the reunification of East and West Germany, which actually formally occurred on October 3, 1990. The physical and emotional barriers were down, and the two sides accepted they had to move on together to rebuild a joint Germany. It was a moment of endings as well as beginnings: the Cold War over, the Eastern Bloc vanquished, we catapulted into a new world of world politics.
A Symbol of Hope and Freedom
The fall of the Berlin Wall became a potent symbol of hope, and freedom throughout the world. It showed how peaceful resistance to the use of oppression can pay off turning the tide towards democracy in other countries.
An Evolving Cityscape
Today pieces of the Berlin Wall still litter the city as a nod to its turbulent past. Now, with its remaining sections parad of unity, adorned with art and messages of peace.
Conclusion
The fall of the Berlin Wall was a significant event that reshaped the course of history. The barriers erected to divide Berlin physically and ideologically crumbled, leading to the reunification of Germany and the end of the Cold War. Its impact reverberated worldwide, inspiring hope and serving as a reminder of the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
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