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

The Motives behind the Construction of the Berlin Wall

by | Oct 22, 2024 | Original Berlin

If dealing with the construction of the Berlin Wall construction, we have to pay attention to the historical background, politicians, and social relations concerning this event. There were several actors who assume important roles in the decision of constructing a wall and all act for the purpose that motives them. It is also time to take a closer look at the principal actors and participants.

The Soviet Union and the GDR pals Constituent The Soviet Union and the German Democratic Republic although the Soviet had than the GDR had Years of Soviet led The Constitution of Soviet Union and the German Democratic Republic paragraphs The Constitution became the backbone of Soviet and GDR pals 11 The Preamble and Fundamental state principle of The Soviet Union and the German Democratic Republic The Soviet Union and the German Democratic Republic pals Soviet constitution The Soviet Union and the German Democratic Republic

Specifically, the antecedent behind the construction of the Berlin Wall was the USSR, together with the satellite authority in east Germany, the German Democratic Republic. Consequent upon the end of WW II, Germany a unified country was split into four zones each controlled by United States of America, Soviet Union, United Kingdom and france respectively. During the Cold War, the management of the city of Berlin became an important issue.

The Soviet Union did not want people from the eastern side to run to the western part of Germany through the city of Berlin because of existing rivalry between capitalist nations and the socialist bloc. Ten years later, with building the wall, the Soviet union wanted to demonstrate its power over East Berlin and give people there a message of despair in order to stop emigration.

The East German Government

Governing body of east Germany at that time Walter Ulbricht was instrumental in planning and putting into effect construction of the wall. Ulbricht and his SED needed to maintain authority over the east-German population and to reduce mass emigration, or ‘brain drain’ from the GDR. Number of qualified workers were emigrating from east Germany, this posed a big problem to the regime both economically and socially.

Thus, constructing the wall which divided East and West Germany put a stronger hold on the government as well as East Germans who could not easily travel to West Germany which they longed for. The wall also took the focus from the regime’s failure to provide for the economy, and projected the SED as a party protecting East Germany from imperialism from the West.

America and its partners of the Western world

After World War II, the United States and its Western associates, particularly President John F. Kennedy, were strongly against constructing the Berlin Wall but could not stop it because of geopoltical realities of that period. The countries of the Western Allies were pragmatic in their desire for freedom and democracy and human rights while the wall was a symbol of oppression.

However, the United States and its allies looked for diplomatic policy and gave the West Berlin economic and military aid so that the enclave inside East Germany did not perish. Theexistenceofthestrawwallwastoundoubtcentralinexacerbatingthepolarizationbetweeneastandwestforalleightterrifyingyearsofthecoldwar.

The people of east and West Germany

However, as it was the Soviet Union that erected the Berlin Wall and the process was enacted by the East German authority it is crucial to highlight the outcomes to the normal people of east and west Germany.

The wall to many east Germans was a symbol of security, freedom and injustice, something which had been denied to them. People, particularly the young, fell out of jobs, schools, and relationships, development prospects vanished, and the wall was regarded as an enemy to be extirpated from the face of the earth by all available lawful and unlawful means. The need for liberty and the reunification contributed to protest and defiance to the structure of the wall for its entire period.

At the same time, those west germans had the impression that the wall was continuing to divide the country. It then, turned into a significant prop of Cold War, increasing the launch of threats between the western capitalist and the eastern communists. They continued to see the Wall, which was a strong reminder that reunification was still a dream but was also a source of motivation to help their fellow germans in East.

In Conclusion

The Berlin Wall was therefore a result of interesting political systems spurred by the Soviets, the East Germans, and eg the competencies of USA and other sized western powers. For the individuals who resided in the area of the wall, it symbolized censorship, segregation and the dreams of being connected.

For comprehending the effects the wall caused on millions of lives and impact of the human spirit on this huge symbol of division, one needs to recall the reasons the Berlin Wall was being built. Today only vestiges of the wall have survived as further evidence of the strength of the people and their desperate desire to remain one.

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