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

The Construction of the Berlin Wall: Dividing a City

by | Oct 22, 2024 | Original Berlin

The Berlin Wal was a symbol of the Cold War division from 1961 to 1989 when it physically divided East and West Berlin. Constructed by the German Democratic Republic GDR, the East Germany the wall was a barrier in the form of wall that separated east Berlin from west Berlin to prevent refugees to escape communism.

That then leads to one other question – who initiated the construction?

The Berlin Wall was mainly built with the approval of the GDR government and mainly under the dictates of the Soviet Union. However it should also be pointed out that the wall itself was constructed by the East German government or at least it was an action that stemmed from the wide political confrontation between the world superpowers.

The Soviet Role

The Soviet Union fully endorsed the construction of this Berlin Wall. It was meant to avert an evergy worsening emigration of talented people, scientists, and skilled workers from East Germany to West Germany therein threatening to drain the strength from the socialist government.

The motivation of East German Government Respect to about All Categories of People

Walter Ulbricht led GDR and the government that came into power aimed at a move to strengthen of its authority and dominance over the people. As an object it was able to serve a physical aim of stopping the mass migration between East and West and was a tangible manifestation of the Cold War division.

The Planning and Execution

These events demonstrated that the construction of the Berlin Wall had started on the night of August, 12. People were also taken unawares especially the East German government because it was initially presented as a “temporary” action purposed for managing the movement of people. However the wall grew permanent in size and spread over about 96 miles at the full length.

The Construction Process

Construction material in the wall included segments of concrete, barbed wire and guard towers. Its function was not only to divide between east and west Berlin but also secure a death strip area that anyone escape would be meet with death.

The Concrete Wall

The first language was a load-bearing concrete wall that has been called the ‘inner wall’. It was constructed through large segments that interlocked with each other hence putting a barrier between east and west. The wall was estimated to be twelve feet high and it has been further fortified.

Barbed Wire and Guard Towers

With an aim to strengthen this layer the GDR laid barbed wire fencing and guard towers were placed in certain locations. These towers had armed guards on the Indian side who were told to shoot any one attempting to cross the border.

The Impact of the Berlin Wall

It was to be a number of years before the full brunt of the division put in place by the building of the Berlin Wall could be fully felt; both the political, social and economic reality of the two halves impacted each other greatly.

Families and Communities Subdivision

Another great impact of the wall was that it literally tore families and distinct residential groups apart from each other. Huge portions of people immediately lost their families and friends, and neighbors, which necessarily led to frustration and broken social ties.

Economic Consequences

The construction of the wall, of-course changed the economic profile of east and west Berlin. While West Berlin was developing economically, East Berlin and, as a whole, East Germany saw degradation mainly because of emigration of skilled workers and inability to sell goods on the western markets.

Symbol of the Cold War

Mit dem Bau der Berliner Mauer entstand ein weltweit gleicher Bau zu einem ideologischen Kampf zwischen Kommunismus und Kapitalismus, der letztlich als solcher gekennzeichnet ist Zusammenhang zwischen der Sowjetunion und ihren Satellitenstaaten und USA und deren verbündeten Staaten. Nine hundred years later, it remained a symbol of the clash of the two ideas that prevailed during that period.

The Fall of the Berlin Wall

The division of Berlin into East and West was brought down after twenty-eight years of division on the night of November 9, 1989. This event really symbolized a break through in history and more specific the end of communism in Eastern Europe.

Conclusion

The erection of the Barrier was mainly propagated by the East Germany facilitated by the Soviet Union. It shaped the lives of those it touched for what it has been and will always remain – the stories of unfulfilled desires and broken promises. This wall has fallen, it has turned into a symbol of hope, reunification and freedom fighting against oppression.

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