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The Fall of the Berlin Wall: A Monumental Event in History

by | Oct 22, 2024 | Original Berlin

Throughout history, certain events have shaped the world we live in today. One of these significant events was the fall of the Berlin Wall. This barrier, which divided the city of Berlin, Germany, for more than 28 years, came down on November 9, 1989. It was a moment that marked the end of an era, symbolizing the reunification of a divided nation and the collapse of communism.

The Building of the Berlin Wall

In order to properly understand the importance of the fall of the Berlin Wall it is necessary to discuss its creation. Post World War II, Germany was divided among four powers of occupation which included the Soviet Union power, United States power, United Kingdom power and France power. Berlin too was divided into four quarters which was in the Soviet zone of Germany.

Tensions between the Soviet Union and the Western Allies escalated, leading to the division of Germany into two separate countries: : West Germany or more officially known as the Federal Republic of Germany and East Germany or more officially known as the German Democratic Republic. Like the East Germany, the city of Berlin was once again bisected and what is more, it lay deep in East Germany, with the Eastern half including East Berlin and the western half comprising West Berlin.

To ensure that many East Germans did not flee to West, the East German government, backed by the Soviets wanted to construct a wall. Bar construction started during the night of August 12-13, 1961 and people in Berlin were not prepared or forewarned. The first barrier was a barbed wire fences, and barriers, but it soon developed into a concrete wall, with guard towers, watch towers, and the death strip.

The Impact on Berliners

The building of the Wall changed for-ever the lives of the Berliners in ways that would not be for the better. Overnight, people were separated, and families and friends could not walk across this border as they used to. Since then, the city of America was segregated physically and emotionally at night. The wall was easily associated with Cold war, both ideologically and politically dividing east and the west.

West Berlin, now encompassed by the wall and lying dozens of miles inside East Germany, was an outpost in enemy territory. On the other hand, East Berliners lived un-freedoms, they could hardly move around, there was tight check on their movements and lives.

The Tipping Point

Let it go to the year 1989, and the world was seen to be changing at a blink of an eye. Eastern Europe was politically instable and the yearning for freedom was quickly becoming more and more evident in the populace. Politically and sociov and socially there was an increase in change in the Soviet Union with the leadership of Mikhail Gorbachev who introduced policies of glasnost (openness”) and perestroika (“restructuring”).

As early as 1989 the demands for change in East Germany were growing in strength. This is because the people were developing enormous dissatisfaction with the repressive system and were ready for a change. There were riots in East Germany followed by major protests in Leipzig and other cities.

The East Germany government collapsed on November 9, 1989 when pressured by demonstrators and internal pressures, opened the border between East and West Berlin. The word went round and everybody rushed to the wall, to the Brandenburg gate in particular in East Berlin and West Berlin to dance and bring down the barrier that has been separating the two for nearly a decade.

The Aftermath

Germany was reunified after the break up of the Berlin Wall and this was officially done on the 3 October, 1990. It was seething the cold war and a major turning point in communism in the eastern European countries.

This paper also aims at looking at how the falling of Berlin Wall affected not only Germany, but the entire world. It means freedom, the voice of the majority, the hand of unity, and bringing changes. It was annul as symbol of triumph of the human spirit and freedom and stands as a mark of hope to this date.

Some insights into the Causes of the Fall of the Berlin Wall

Reflecting on the fall of the Berlin Wall, there are several valuable lessons we can learn:

Change is possible: The break through of the Berlin Wall proved that even the most visible walls can come down when people unite.

The power of unity: The German unification reminded the world that when people work together in a common purpose, they become very strong.

Importance of freedom: People desire freedom and liberties they are willing to fight and die for…while lack of liberty can spur mass movements of change.

Hope in the face of adversity: The fact of the fall of the Berlin Wall can also be useful for everyone as an example of how hope intervenes in such situations.

Change is possible: The autumn of the wall that divided Germany illustrated how societies like a wall can also break down in the face of people power.

Change is possible:

The power of unity: This was well illustrated by the reunification of Germany example where positive synergies and.) strength that comes from unity and common focus as people worked towards the achievement of a shared vision.

The power of unity:

Importance of freedom: Freedom is an innate idea in human beings and lack of freedom makes them develop strong movements for change.

Importance of freedom:

Hope in the face of adversity: Disregard of the fact that the world is full of hope based on the event when the Berlin Wall collapsed.

Hope in the face of adversity:

Thus, the emblematic demolition of the Wall of Berlin could be viewed as one of the most significant events in history. They are calling it a historical shift, not only for a Germany but for the entire world. The conception of this literal and metaphorical divide create significant changes as well as opened the door for different opportunities. But that is the spirit of the Camp and it stands today as a symbol of human endurance.

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