The Historical Context of the Berlin Wall
Germany was divided at the height of the Cold War, when the tension and ideologies between the Western world, led by the United States, and the Eastern bloc under Soviet influence reached an all time high. Berlin was a symbol of a city that becomes a battleground for political ideologies, the Berlin Wall was built.
Construction and Symbolism
On August 13, 1961 the German Democratic Republic (GDR) built the Berlin Wall to prevent the exodus of East Germans to West Germany. Berlin was divided by it along 155 kilometers with the border separating the capital into East and West. It is clear that the wall became an iconic symbol of the Cold War due to the ideological divide between capitalism and communism.
Conditions Leading to the Fall
The GDR regime, despite being a democratic Communist state, was responsible for the growing discontentment of the citizens of East Germany during the last decades of the really-existing socialists states. It sparked a wave of protest that was aided by an ever growing demand for freedom and rejoining.
The Influence of Gorbachev
The rise to power in the Soviet Union was of some significance, brought about by Mikhail Gorbachev. Under his policies of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring), reform and better East/West relations have been ushered in.
The Role of Mass Media
Mass media was highly important to disseminate information and to represent the sharp difference between East and West Germany. Television broadcasts and radio transmissions brought the opportunities and freedom from which the West German people benefited to East German households.
The Fall of the Berlin Wall
On November 9, 1989 the world saw a historic event, the fall of the Berlin Wall. Jubilation came as the East German government announced its new right of its citizens to travel freely to the West.
Peaceful Revolution
In the year prior to the fall of the wall the reunification movement gained momentum. The power of people united for change were shown in non violent protests like the Leipzig demonstrations. The transition passed off peacefully and did not end in violence thanks to the peaceful nature of the revolution.
The Opening of the Borders
When East German government began to relax travel restrictions, thousands of East Berliners made a frantic rush to the wall to demand immediate passage to the West. The people overwhelmed the guards with the large crowd on the continent’s border crossings and the guards eventually became soft and let the people in. An iconic symbol of hope and unity, the scenes of people freely crossing through once heavily fortified border.
The Aftermath and Reunification
The fall of the Berlin Wall created a ripple effect that reverberated throughout Europe. The wall becoming permeable symbolized the end of the Cold War and marked the beginning of a new era.
German Reunification
On October 3, 1990, almost a year after the fall of the wall, Germany was officially reunified. The once divided country came together as one, ending four decades of separation.
Impact on Global Politics
The fall of the Berlin Wall had a profound impact on global politics. It signified the victory of democracy over dictatorship, and the triumph of freedom over oppression. It paved the way for the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 and brought about significant changes in Eastern Europe.
The Legacy of the Berlin Wall
Today, remnants of the Berlin Wall serve as a reminder of the past and a symbol of unity. The Berlin Wall Memorial, located in the heart of the city, preserves a section of the original wall, providing a poignant reminder of the division and the sacrifices made by those striving for freedom.
Lessons Learned
The fall of the Berlin Wall teaches us about the resilience of the human spirit and the power of unity. It reminds us that walls and barriers, physical or ideological, can be overcome when people stand together in pursuit of a common goal.
Preserving History
Memories and lessons of the Berlin Wall are preserved in order that the memories and lessons are not forgotten. Educational initiatives, museums and exhibitions develop a society of future generations in order to understand the importance and necessity of this historical event and the world of absence of division and oppression.
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