Free Walking Tour Berlin

When: Every day 10am & 12pm every day
Where: The meeting point is in front of the ehemaliges Kaiserliches Postfuhramt Berlin, Oranienburger Straße, 10117 Berlin, Germany, next to the entrance.
Price: Free

Discovering the Motives Behind the Creation of the Berlin Wall

by | Oct 22, 2024 | Original Berlin

Now occupying the annals of historical iconic structures that separated two, the Berlin Wall was in existent for 28 years and provided division in the centrality of a bifurcated city. But why was the Berlin wall put in the first instance?

Historical Background

That is why if you want to review why Berlin Wall was built, you should research more about the history of Europe after the World War II. Following the defeat of Nazi Germany the Allies the United States, Soviet Union, Great Britain and France divided Germany into four zones each of which remained under the administration of one of the powers.

The city of Berlin located in the heart of East Germany was also partitioned into different sectors, in accordance between these powers. Following these changes, there were sharp differences in ideologies between the Soviet Union and the western powers leading to the Cold War.

Escaping the East

When the difference between the totalitarian East Germany or, also called the German Democratic Republic (GDR) and the more liberal West intensified, many people from the East fled to West Germany mainly through the divided city of Berlin. This migration quickly proved to be an annoyance to the GDR government and would continue to be a headache for them.

Almost 2,6 million of the highly skilled East Germans as well as a youthful and noncommitted population left the country for the West between 1949 and 1961 which was, in many ways an economic loss to GDR. In addition, the losses of qualified worker and the impossibility of their replacement pointed out the relative backwardness and unfreedom of the East.

The “Brain Drain” Phenomenon

Experts again like in most other Soviet dominated nations East Germany also lost a lot of its skilled man power. Schnell: Young professionals – engineers, doctors, teachers etc – and other intelligentsia who wanted better paid job and personal liberty, left East Germany, thus reducing its human resources and brain pool.

As a result of this mass emigration, the East German leadership started to search for ways with which they could reduce the number of people who left the country.

Escalating Tensions

Since the division of Germany and Berlin the matter had become a center for conflict between the eastern and the western bloc. With enhanced migration from East to West this antagonism is escalating from one side of the GDR and its allies especially the Soviet Union and from the other side of the Western powers especially the US.

The GDR wanted its citizens to remain within the country so that had political power and thus better negotiations power. East German leader Walter Ulbricht even said publicly, “Nobody has the intention of building a wall” in 1961, and that was followed by the construction of The Wall.

The Construction of the Wall

East Germany backed by the Soviet Union physically built what became known as the Berlin Wall during the early morning of August 13, 1961. At first, it was an ad hoc affair that included barbed wire and makeshift barricades, but that developed into a high concrete wall that separated the city into East and West halves.

Originally referred as the Anti-Fascist Protection Rampart by the GDR, the Berlin Wall was justified as a protective barrier against the fascist and saboteur elements of the West initiating havoc in the Eastern Germany . In fact, its primary role was to ensure that East berlin remained enclosed and people in this area do not migrate to the west.

Impact on Life in Berlin

The serious changes which influenced the everyday life of Berliners were initiated by the appearance of the Berlin Wall. People are dying; their families are being destroyed, their friendships are ruined, and even whole communities are decimated. The wall was a representation of the cold war as it refforced division of Europe for many years with a symbol of an Iron Curtin.

In the past, attempts to cross the Wall were to be punished through imprisonment or arrangements resulting in maiming or death. It was an eye opener of the freedom restrictions that people in East Germany had to endure everyday by just having the Wall built.

The Abacus Account: A Tribute to the Human Spirit

Despite the great odds that the Wall brought to bear on the population, the people did not allow themselves to be discouraged. There were many creative and the most daring attempts at escape; people even started tunneling and fashioning hot air balloons.

This event marked the separation of East and West Germany and became one of the defining moments, as well as a victory over the so-called Iron Curtain. Modern features of the Wall structure are more like subtle symbol of the fight of the people who never ceased to hope and seek for freedom.

In Conclusion

Chiefly, the Berlin Wall was constructed due to the brain drain of the East Germans to the more liberated West. In an effort to gain power and management over its population as well as to regain some level of political influence the GDR leadership proceeded to physically divide East and West Berlin. However, the Wall continued to exist for many years as a blunt reminder of how personal freedoms were restricted and the Wall made the Cold War quite symbolic.

When studying history, one needs to consider a concept that division is wrong, freedom is right, and it is right to discuss anything. For unknown reasons and in opposed conditions as the people placed in Quebec City, the Berlin wall falling can be seen as a symbol of hope of the human spirit.

Thank you for reading. If you're inspired by the stories of Berlin and want to delve deeper, why not join us on our Free Berlin Walking Tour? It's a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the city's rich history and vibrant culture. We look forward to welcoming you soon.

WHAT TO EXPECT

  • 3.5 hours walking tour
  • Berlin’s major highlights
  • Brandenburg Gate
  • Reichstag and Berlin Wall
  • Historical sites

Free Walking Tour Berlin

When: Every day 10am & 12pm every day
Where: The meeting point is in front of the ehemaliges Kaiserliches Postfuhramt Berlin, Oranienburger Straße, 10117 Berlin, Germany, next to the entrance.
Price: Free