The Berlin Wall was a physical and symbolic barrier that divided Berlin from 1961 to 1989, separating West Berlin from East Berlin and the surrounding East German territory. While primarily associated with Germany, the story of the Berlin Wall involves several other countries that played a significant role during its existence. In this article, we will explore the nations involved in the construction and eventual fall of the Berlin Wall.
1. German Democratic Republic (East Germany)
East Germany is the Soviet-associated country that dominated the German-speaking states since its formation in 1949 up to its merger with West Germany in 1990. The building of the Wall was therefore declared by East Germany and the Soviet Union to limit the mass movement of East Germany’s citizens to West Germany and West Berlin. The authorities of the GDR and the USSR – the socialist state and the main ally of East Germany – considered the construction of the wall as thoroughly politic and economically justified.
- German Federal Republic, German Reich and the Federal Republic of Germany or the West Germany
The Federal Republic of Germany, referred, generally, to the democratic state created in 1949 after the Second World War. The West Germany played Western Europe and United States friendly nation as it was the western part of Germany. Since its construction West Germany was strongly against the division of Berlin and pressed for the German reunification.
- Soviet Union
The Berlin Wall was built and maintained with the assistance of the Soviet Union, a unit of the communist world power. The Soviet Union backed the erection of the barrier in East Germany as the ruling power intending to suppress the movement of citizens from the Eastern Bloc to the western part. The wall represented the gigantic mental barrier with the Western capitalist world and the Eastern communism.
- United States of America
The United States had an interest in the opposition of the construction of the division wall since it is one of the western power that supports the capitalist and democratic system. Its government regarded the wall as the symbol of East and West Division and infringement of civil liberties. During the Cold War years the United States stood as a moral and practical supporter for the Federal Republic of West Germany and its objective of a German reunification.
- United Kingdom ,France and other western allies
The Great Britain and France which forms part of Western Europe cannot be ignored when it comes to the story of Berlin Wall. They endorsed the position of United States and West Germany; they regarded the Wall as a figure of oppression and as a violation of the international order. They played a very important role in supporting and defending West Berlin during the years of the division with the USA.
- Eastern Bloc Countries
The other countries in the eastern Bloc that supported building of the Berlin wall included Poland , Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Bulgaria. These were Soviet affected countries or countries which followed communism similar to the Soviet Union. The believed that the wall would help eliminate the ability of those in East Germany, seeing the lack of freedom, flee to the West and preserve the Eastern Bloc.
- Non-Aligned Countries
The non-aligned nations, those that did not join neither NATO, the western alliance nor the Warsaw Pact, the eastern alliance paid close attention to the Berlin Wall. Like many countries of the West, they called for the dismantling of the wall and the unification of Germany which they saw as a signal of conflict in the international system. Unfortunately, the provided diplomatic assistance for the reunification functioned to keep up the pressure on the relevant actors.
- International Community
The establishment and collapse of the Berlin Wall were an object of interest in the international area. Activists including the United Nations condemned construction of the wall on the grounds that it was a violation of human rights demanding its construction. The attitudes of the international society towards the division were giving exposure to the problem that in one way or another contributed to the reunification of Germany.
Conclusion
The construction of the Berlin Wall was a defining moment in the history of Germany and the Cold War. While the primary actors involved were East and West Germany, the influence of the Soviet Union, the United States, and various other nations cannot be understated. The Berlin Wall’s eventual fall in 1989 marked a turning point in European history and the end of the Cold War era. Understanding the roles and perspectives of the countries involved provides invaluable insight into the significance of this controversial barrier.
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