Maybe you have always been interested in how many parts of Berlin were actually destroyed in the course of its history. The city has been associated with histories which has been full of many disasters including the World War II and the division of the erst while Berlin into East and West Berlin during the cold war. In this article, you will learn more about the scale of the devastation that Berlin experienced and continue with subsequent developments in which the city turned into a modern megalopolis.
The Impact of World War II
In the Second World War, the city mainly suffered from bombings that were consistently executed by the forces of Allies. The city was targeted largely because of the decentralised structure of the control in the hand of the Nazis and the centralisation of the military and political assets. The biggest loss was hit during the Battle of Berlin during April, 1945, after which the Third Reich collapsed and the European phase of war ended.
Historically it is estimated that more of 60% of Berlin was damaged during the Second World War, including the residential zone, the historical site, industrial area as well as transport networks. These bombings completely destroyed many parts in the city with so many lives lost and households demised.
The Division of East and West Berlin
After World War II, Berlin was divided into four occupation zones, each controlled by the Allied powers: The main laid down countries which formed the foundation of the organization were United States, United kingdom, france and the soviet union. The city turned in to a theatre for the Cold War and tensions between the east and the west grew.
In 1961 the construction of the ‘Wall of shame’, dividing East Berlin and West Berlin started. The wall that was erected was 155.7 kilometers long to separate West Berlin from East Germany. Apart from the negative toll it had on people’s emotions it also led to further devastation of the city and their infrastructures.
The Berlin Wall while not physically destructive as the bombings were caused the splitting of family and friends and was a significant wound in the history of Berlin. It rose like astylized monument for the Cold War and the Iron Curtain that physically divided East and West for many years.
The Rebuilding Effort
At the close of the second world war Berlin start on an amazing exercise in both architecture and social legislation. Despite all these challenges, the lights of the city never went off as it prepared to rebuild and transform.
Dismantling the Berlin Wall
Indeed, the ironic event in the 1989 history of the city was the fall of the Berlin Wall on the 9th of November. When East and West Berlin were amalgamated, actual work to remove the wall started; which symbolised the end of cold war and Germany’s reunion.
At present, signatures of the Berlin Wall are seen in almost every part of Berlin as a symbol of the difficulties of the Berliners and the reintegration that occurred afterwards. Tracing the Berlin Wall and visiting the Berlin Wall Memorial as well as Checkpoint Charlie is uncommon but vastly important.
Reconstruction and Modernization
Restoration and reconstruction was not limited to the restoration of of historical buildings but was also a modern construction effort. Many symbolic buildings, including Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, and even the Berlin Cathedral, were’s beautified to their current condition. These monuments present the social memories of Berlin, they stand as constant physical representations of this City’s progress.
Further more new marvellous structures were developed and constructed even to complement existing architectural styles in the city. Potsdamer Platz that used to be a ‘Berlin Wall no man’s land’ to become a highly vibrant business and entertainment center exemplified with modern business skylines and urban places.
Conclusion
The history of suffering is used in this passage: it passed through the ruins of World War II, division into two Berlins. But the courage and wish of the people of the city of Berlin to reconstruct it made the city to be as it is today –diverse capital.
Visiting history places in Berlin opens people’s eyes to the history of the city as well the challenges it has faced. Both in the small and large parts of Berlin it has been demonstrated, how the ugly face of destruction has been integrated into the city’s living tissue both in renovated beautiful walls as well as in new constructions.
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