The Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall
Berlin Wall was a concrete partition that separated the city of Berlin into two – East Berlin and West Berlin during 1961-1989. During Cold War it represented division between Eastern Bloc headed by Soviet Union and the Western Bloc headed by United States. The world is also familiar with the concrete physical barrier, the famous Berlin Wall, which symbolized barriers between communism and democracy.
Background Of The Construction: the Berlin Wall
The construction of the Berlin Wall began on August the 13th in 1961. The East German government in consultation with their masters in Moscow erected the wall to halt the exodus of East Germans to West Germany. This barrier had a length of 155km around West Berlin, and separated it from East Germany.
Guard Towers and Watchtowers
Barack structures such as the guard towers and watchtowers surrounded the Berlin Wall and were constructed in intervals. Such structures gave the East German border guards better angle to observe and ensure that no intruder would cross the wall. Part of the security measures, of course, included armed guards, search lights and attack dogs.
Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie’ the most famous crossing point between East and West Berlin was. It symbolized the division of two entirely different worlds, such as Americans and Soviets in their tanks during the tensions in 1961. Today there is the replica of the guardhouse belong to the emblem of the divided city and the reunification on display.
The Impact of the Berlin Wall
A lasting effect of the Berlin Wall was not only enormous for Berliners but to the entire world as well. Here are a few key points:
From the social impact, there are:
The wall savagely disrupted families, friends and everybody else, leaving them separated for eternity. West Berlin despite being physically surrounded was able to become an economic giant because of the division of economic ties with west Germany. East Berlin experienced what was economic difficulties, as well as political suppressions under the rule of Soviet Union.
Propaganda and Symbolism
The Berlin Wall was symbolizing conflict of two political philosophies. Both the east and the west ended up using its existence as propaganda material for their whenever they needed. On the western side, diverse artists and activists painted breaking-the-barrier-of-freedom, protest, and unity murals.
The Fall of the Berlin Wall
It would be remember that on the 9th of November in 1989 the world stepped forward to witness the collapse of the famed Berlin Wall. The demolition of the wall signified the dawn of an era that led to the disintegration of the Soviet Union and ceased to exist as the cold war period. The destruction of the wall gathered millions of individuals and became a symbol of hope and the desire for unification.
Free demonstrations and famous speeches
The year 1980 witnessed protests and demonstrations in East Germany to call for political and freedom, which has remained a precondition in the country up to 1989. The most memorable speech to this day is the iconic phrase by US President Ronald Reagan at the Brandenburg Gate: “Mr. Gorbachev, I knock down this wall.”
End of the Cold War
The year when the glacial divide between East and West was demolished was significant at any rate. It highlights the period of the cold war and led the way to the issue and option for the reunification of Germany. It triggered the process of democratization and after that awaken democratic revolutions in entire Eastern Europe. The Berlin which is reunified now represents hope for the people.
In Conclusion
The Berlin Wall had existed for 28 years and separated individuals families and nations from 1961 to 1989. Its stock symbolised triumph of freedom over tyranny and its collapse signified the possibility of reunification of Germany. The Berlin Wall is a symbol and a memory of peoples’ struggles and togetherness as one people.
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