The Rise of the Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall – one of the main landmarks of the Cold War period – was constructed to divide East Berlin, under the Soviets’ rule, from West Berlin that around western democratic nations. The building of the wall started on 13th August 1961 and was done for several months. It was a concrete structure that stretched 155 Kilometers, over cross roads, residential areas, and even homes.
The Split of Berlin
After World War II, Berlin, like Germany as a whole, was divided into four occupation zones controlled by the victorious Allied powers: the USA, the USSR, Great Britain and France. The city of Berlin, which lies well inside the Soviet-occupied zone, was also divided into these same four sectors.
The Rise of Tensions
Eventually, the ideological differences began to emerge with Soviet imposed stricter control of the east side of the city. Situation in East Berlin grew worse and people started to flee to the affluent West Berlin that was run on a democratic system.
The Solution: A Wall
Unable to bear the rising brain drain and political instabilities resulting from mass emigration of East Germans, the Soviet government, backed by the East Germans, approved building of the Berlin Wall.
Structure and Characteristics of Wall
The construction of the barrier called the Berlin Wall was effectively and systematically done at night to avoid major demonstrations. Larger than life concrete pieces called “L-Sections” were utilised to construct the first line of protection.
A Multi-Layered Barrier
Hence, scrupulously, the wall was changed and modified to become invulnerable with time to resist attacks that may be made. This received the construction of a fence, barbed wire on the top of a wall, signal fences, watchtowers and an area known as the death strip, a trench. The “death strip,” a subject to special restrictions, was armed with trenches, presumably to stop vehicles, mines, and automatic shooting devices.
The Checkpoints
Regardless the many barriers, several control points were kept open which allowed Westerners and West Berliners to enter East Berlin. One of these was the fictional Checkpoint Charlie which was sited near the middle of the divided city of Berlin.
Impact and Fall of the Wall
The Berlin Wall did not only divided people, but divided a city and a country as well. People were separated – families divided and individuals from one side lived under a completely different political regime from those on the other side.
Symbol of the Cold War
Still, over time, it transformed into the emblem of oppressed spirit and desire of the people for liberty. The first splits in the Iron Curtain were evident, and the force was applied to the East Germany leadership to open freedom and reforms.
Historic Moments
Further, in November 9, 1989 as social pressure mounted both internally and driven by events internationally, the government of East Germany declared that citizens of the East could travel to the West freely. The events that led to the breaking down of the Walls in Berlin became an important ingredient in the history lesson, signaling the end of the Cold War and the eventual freeing of eastern Germany.
Conclusion
The was the Berlin Wall was built for 28 years to separate East and West during the Cold War period. Its construction influenced the general populace of Berlin as well as the whole world in which it was constructed. Today we still can see parts of the wall that have survived and can represent that people, who had gone through these times, were suffering greatly. Exploding the Berlin wall symbolises the strength of the human spirit and need for freedom as well.
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