The best known wall was that constructed in the German city of Berlin between 1961 and 1989. Used during the Cold War era it was designed to separate east and west Germany and was rich in politics and history. One of the frequently asked questions about the Berlin Wall is: “How many meters or kilometers in length was this great piece of work?” Berlin Wall itself has truly been one of the most extraordinary creations of Cold War period: in this article, we will look specifically at the question of how long the Berlin Wall ever was and discuss its significance for the city and its inhabitants in more detail.
The Length of the Berlin Wall
Surrounding the entire city of West Berlin, save for small gaps, – the structure covered a length of 155 km (96 miles). This concrete structure averaging an overall height of 11.8 feet was a barrier that separated families friends and communities.
155 kilometers
But it is imperative to point here that the length of the actual line is not in reality a straight line. That divides the Berlin Wall comprehensive was many sections and segments of walls, of fencing, of ditches and watch towers, all constituted the Berlin Wall. These variations justify the reason why the producer calculated different length of the film.
The Background of the Berlin Wall
In order to appreciate the importance of the Berlin Wall, let us look at the background that led to construction of the barrier. Germany was divided into four zones of occupation after the Second World War; with the United States, the Soviet Union Britain and France overseeing each zone. The ill feelings between East Germany, which was under Soviet control and West Germany, which joined NATO in 1949 rose. This tension later led to culmination of cold war which was an ideological conflict between communism led by the Soviet union and democracy led by the western world.
The construction of the Berlin Wall started on 13 August 1961 because the eastern government is alarmed by the number of citizens who were emigrating to the west. The wall’s main motivation was to contain such defections, mainly of educatedswifts and other professionals whom the regime had observed were distorting the populationcomposition of the country in a socioeconomic sense.
It was the symbol of the Iron Curtain and what divided East and West, communism and capitalism, the Berlin Wall. It is was not designed as a shield of East Germany from the impact of freedom from the West, but it adopted the tool as an opportunity to exhibited authority of the Soviet Union over its appendage state East Germany.
Characteristics and Layout of the Berlin Wall
Before it was brought down, the Berlin Wall was composed of a number of parts, specialising in different functions within the wall’s design.
1. Concrete Walls and Barriers
The main part of the Berlin Wall was created by concrete walls and barriers. These reinforced structures formed a physical bar which it was difficult for anybody to move or cross from east to west Berlin. Top of the walls were manned by guards while other barriers were supported by barbed wire and anti-vehicle emplacements to ensure nobody gets in.
2. Watchtowers
Logically positioned watchtowers were used as lookouts that offered good visibility of the border states. Guards posted at these towers observed the wall and the neighboring area for any signs of attempts at an escape.
3. Stop Off Points and Immigration Points
It was however crisscrossed with several check points and border control points. These places were enclosed, intensively fortified and aimed to regulate traffic of people in and out of East and West Berlin. Other check points included Check point Charlie, Check point alpha, and Check point bravo which became significant attractions of the city.
The Fall of the Berlin Wall
The famous barrier, the Berlin Wall, represented the division of Germany and it is people. However, the breaking down of the Wall on November 9 in 1989 was a key event that really made the change possible.
Elections and uprisings all over East European countries and pressure mounted on the East German government resulted to the opening of the borders. The occasion turned out to be a memorable one because it brought reunion of families and friends after three decades of separation.
After that: the fall of the Berlin Wall and parts of it became popular souvenirs, and people’s painful memories from that time welled up.
Conclusion
The Berlin Wall was another blockade built during the Cold War technology separating East and West Berlin. This stretch of 155 kilometer long structure eventually limited the mobility of the people of Berlin for almost three decades. Having lost the cold war in 1989, the future reunification of Germany became a reality, drawing the curtain for the society and the victory of human spirit.
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