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The Construction Materials of the Berlin Wall: A Symbol of Division and Containment

by | Oct 22, 2024 | Original Berlin

Contrary to the West Berlin Wall being only a separation barrier between East and West Germany, it was a symbol of political philosophies, repression, and liberty for over twenty-five years. The decade of construction is August 13, 1961 – November 9, 1989 Berlin Wall was built to symbolize the East and West that reproduced the complete two highly diverse worlds during this period of post WWII era.

The Berlin Wall: Its Purpose And Design

The main use of the Berlin Wall was to seal off border, to keep East Germany or the German Democratic Republic citizens from escaping to the capitalist, ‘western’ half of Germany.

Far from just being one massed structure of the wall was indeed made up of quite domineering parts that were unique in their function. Al demarcación, había otros barreras que se presentaban a lo largo de la frontera lo que lo hacía casi imposible el escape. These barriers included:

1. Concrete Wall

The largest and the most recognisable segment of the Berlin Wall was the concrete barrier. It was made out of gray industrial concrete scabs, which were 12 ft (3.6 meters) high and 4 ft (1.2 meters) thick. The wall stretched from Teltow to the sector of western Berlin and was 155 kilometers or 96 miles long encircling the separated eastern part of the city.

This concrete segment contained steel bar that made it very difficult to invade or demolish in this segment. Originally it had a smooth surface for the structure but with time they put up extra measures that make climbing and vandalism difficult.

2. Anti-Vehicle Trench

Yet, to discourage escape attempts even more, an anti-vehicle trench was excavated in parallel with the wall to prevent car-borne, or any other kind of, breach of the border. This trench was about 27 meters wide and some 1.8 meters deep. The reason was to provide as much hindrance as possible to cross, and it was filled with water.

3. Signal Fencing

Outside the concrete wall and the anti-vehicle trench was the second barrier, the signal fencing or ‘death strip’. This segment was a two meters wide strip of the track that was covered with a layer of gravel, loose soil and other noisy objects. Thus it signaled strongly to anyone who would wish to try and cross this wall Wasis that they stood a very high chance of being killed.

This paper will discuss the evolution of construction materials.

Though after the construction of the Berlin Wall was carried out initially by the slabs of concrete, the materials gradually changed as the authorities sought to make the amphibian more effective in preventing escape.

Razor Wire

May differed from April only in the sense that individuals became more inventive in their efforts to breach the wall, which means new measures were instituted. One of them was to install the razor wire on top of the wall. This extra safeguard made climbing this wall that much dangerous, which led to a lot of people suffering grievous injuries while trying to on it.

Dog Runs

To increase security for the guards and to prevent escape attempts the construction of dog runs were built in the ‘death strip.’ These runs enabled the guards dogs to move round the area between the walls and this posed higher risks for those intending to escape from East Germany.

Watchtowers

Overwatch towers were constructed at appropriate intervals along the wall so the guards had a good sight of the boundary in excellence. Later, the watchtowers contained search lights and armed personnel, and it was all but impossible to ‘get over’ the wall without being seen.

Concrete Cylinder Barriers

Cones made of concrete cylinders were installed at some regular distance from the wall; they were called ‘tank traps.’ These round shaped structures being about one meter in diameter were placed directly against the wall perpendicularly to it and they meant another physical obstacle.

The Fall of the Berlin Wall

The latter appeared after the Berlin Wall collapsed after 28 years and the unification of the two parts of Germany. The start of the Wall’s destruction was the only nonviolent uprising that originated in East Germany and eventually was extended to the entire country and beyond – the whole system of the Iron Curtain.

The release of power in Germany with the demolition of the wall was a remarkable sign post for change signifying the start of a different period in the society.

In Conclusion

The considerable and largely concrete part of the Berlin Wall physically separated not only families and friends but even a divided nation. But let me emphasize that the wall underlined not only was not a construction of cold materials; it signified how political ideologies affected people’s lives .

Specifically the story of the berlin wall is much more vibrant of how human spirit does not surrender where democracy and freedom are suppressed. Presently, remnants are there to remind people as to why walls should not be built for they only cause destruction and death to the people who live nearby.

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