Introduction
Thus the actualised Berlin Wall has now become a subject of value especially in history. Originally constructed after the second world war, the structure served to physically and symbolically sever east from west Germany for nearly thirty years. Today, portions of the section that was once the Berlin Wall are still standing and serve as a powerful symbol of the city’s history as have other remnants that are still standing all over the world.
Origins of the Berlin Wall
After World War II, Germany was divided into four zones controlled by the Allies: These countries are; the United States, the Soviet Union, Britain, and France. After the Second World War, the Soviet zone was the German Democratic Republic (GDR/East Germany) and in the western zone the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG/West Germany) . When time passed by, disparity between the two Germanys, politically and economically, became apparent and as a result, East German faced a face of emigration towards West German in a single year.
The Construction
The construction of the berlin wall took place at night on August 13,1961 . Afterwards, barbed wire barriers were hastily put up in order to separate the city so that the east Germans did not escape to the west. This first improvised barricade was replaced by an enormous concrete wall, up to 12 feet in height, with watchtowers, dogs and armed guards, and patrols. The wall stretched for about 1552 kilometers and was long enough to separate West Berlin from East Germany.
The Impact
This piece of work depicts that the impact of the Berlin Wall on those staying at both Eastern and western Germany was significant. Houses were divided, villages split, and millions perished so as to be granted a chance to live in the West. However, the wall also symbolised the physical and political division of East and communism and West and democracy.
The Fall of the Wall
The event that happened in Germany, particularly the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, is historiographic. Amnesty protest in East Germany led to the opening of the checkpoints and thus freedom of cross to West Berlin for the eastern bloc citizens. The wall was demolished the next, a day after people form both sides started removing the concrete structure. Palfrey, This conference finally marked the conclusion of the Cold War and set the scene for German unification.
What Remains Today
Some parts of the Berlin Wall also remain standing even today, it means that you still can visit some pieces of that wall, which is unique. These remnants can be discovered at different places and each of them will give a historical perception of the city as well as a feel of the division that was characteristic of the city.
East Side Gallery
The East Side Gallery in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg is one of the most famous sections which still exists today. Soon after the wall came down over a hundred artists from around the world painted remaining spine of concrete with large murals. Since then this open air has become a gallery of lively art where people who went through the process of changing their lives painted their hopes dreams and struggles on the new Germany.
Checkpoint Charlie
Another important site is Checkpoint Charlie, the most famous and currently one of the iconic crossings at the time of Cold War. While the guardhouse was down, a building that replica the original structure was built to replace the original guardhouse with the view of enhancing the area’s history. There is also a museum next door which tells the real life stories of many people and has pictures and other items related to the wall.
Memorial to the Wall
The Memorial to the Wall that is currently located near Bernauer Strasse serves as a reminder of the effects which the wall had on the city’s geography. Measuring a little over 1:4 kilometers in length the memorial consists on a preserved strip of the wall and a museum which tells the stories of the victims. Those interested can view an open-air display and get additional information concerning the effects of the division.
Preserving History
The remaining sections of the Berlin Wall have been preserved to a large extent; Tourists aware the art and the sections of the monument are preserved with great effort from conservationists to prevent decay and vandalism. Special focused tours, classes, and workshops are also provided to the visitors so that they have appropriate knowledge about the history related to the wall and the lives of so many people that this wall changed.
Conclusion
Out There – The parts of the Berlin Wall and divide the interest of people of the world. Symbols, as they symbolize the determination which people, who are affected by this division, have. Whether talking about the East Side Gallery, or the Memorial to the Wall, fragments depict the people’s memory of an important period and make people reconsider the value of unity and freedom.
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