Introduction
The fact of that the Berlin Wall, which has been a symbol of division and tensions during the Cold War, captured people’s interest for almost twenty five years. The event of its demolition contributed to the changes in history: the world was no longer separated into parts, in which dictatorship prevailed over people. Thus, in this article, it is proposed to discuss the historical event in which the Berlin Wall became an artifact and the consequences that followed this event.
Building the Berlin Wall
After the World War II German territories was divided into two; East Germany (German Democratic Republic) and West Germany (Federal Republic of Germany). It also important to remember that Berlin the capital city was also split between East Berlin and West Berlin. Finally the political tension between the Soviet Union and its satellites on one side and the United States and its allies on the other side reached a new high when the Berlin wall was built in 1961.
Primary Sources: The Purpose and Structure of the Berlin Wall
The chief social function of the Berlin Wall was simply to prevent the citizens from the Eastern zone from emigrating to the west. The wall was made of concrete blocks, guard towers, barbed wire, and a ’death strip’ on which were placed all sorts of apparatus to discourage would-be escapers. Taking its course in 156 Km its destructed every street, every neighborhood, and in some cases even every family.
Life under the Berlin Wall
The construction of the wall affected the fate of Berliners; the two images illustrate this point. Cohesive bonds between families were severed and friends and aspirations were lost. The people of East Berlin had restricted mobility, were under surveillance, and were being offered few chances. On the other side, West Berliners could see the dreary existence of people in the East, which was a daily influx of what the two worlds were like.
The Fall of the Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall remained standing for 28 years; it appeared to be ‘indestructible’. But the changes did not take place in Eastern Europe until the beginning of the 1980s when a wind of change began to blow over the region. The government of Soviet Union started weakening and the so called freedom and democracy tasted like honey to the population. The event that led to the end of the division was culmination of these increasing pressures together with the brave stances of thousands of such people.
Events That Caused Fall
The prelude to the collapse of the said wall of Berlin started in 1989. In Hungary, people could escape to the West via Austria, which caused people and spread inspiration in the entire region. People took to the streets in order to get political changes, and the right to travel to the West part of Germany. Finally, threats from the Western countries continued to mount, on November 9, 1989, the east German government succumbed and declared that people can travel freely.
The Night of Celebration
When this information was out people rushed to the border points in masses to meet with their friends and families and embrace the liberty they could not taste for a long time. But undoubtedly one of the most talked-about moments in the history of East and West Berlin was when the guards at Bornholmer Strasse border checkpoint opened the gates and let the East Berliners to get into West Berlin. The moments of ecstasy and people’s tears of happiness, together with the destruction of the actual wall were the victorious manifestation of the human spirit over the wall of oppression.
Aftermath of the event that led to the breaking up of the Berlin wall
The fall of the Berlin was a powerful shaking among the worlds, politically and emotionally. It started the process of collapse to the Soviet Union and the Eastern Blo and people in Eastern Europe started enjoying freedom and democracy.
Reunification of Germany
The fall of the Berlin is considered to have led to the reunion of Germany after physically separating the two for years. In October 3rd, 1990, the Germany FR and the German DR united to make a new Germany thus bringing to an end division that had lasted for 4 decades.
End of the Cold War
The end of the iconic Berlin Wall was the final scene of the Cold War . The long felt gap that once appeared to be impossible to bridge between the East and the West slowly started to disappear making the world a global village. These changes raised hope for those struggling for democracy and human rights reforming the world political map.
Legacy and Lessons Learned
The story of the Wall is another way that unity and people’s ability to always rise up and stand after being brought down is remembered. It empowers us about the barrier between nations and freedom of democracy which is one of the rights we should die for. The Berlin Wall has turned into the symbol of hope as we remember the price which was given to create a better world.
Conclusion
Goddard describes the story of the two families as a history of East and West Germany since the construction of the Berlin wall and their reunion on that significant day of the year 1989 signifying the victory of freedom over oppression, division over unity. There was the end of one epoch and the trend of change of history in the apogee. As for me the theme of this photograph the demonstration of the collapse of the Berlin Wall is an everlasting symbol of victory of human spirit and the passion towards freedom. It remains a story that gives hope to nation and every person to know for sure that nothing whatsoever is impossible when it comes to achieving better tomorrow.
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