As one will recall there are numerous historical events widely known and adored the world over, however none are as famous or as significant as the famous Berlin Wall. Built during the heyday of the Cold War this imposing structure embodied the separation of a City, indeed a World, polarized by conflict. In this article, you will read about the Berlin Wall and its history and learn when it was built and what happened after the Wall was erected.

The Historical Context: Worlds, the Cold War and the Divided Berlin

As with any study of historical events is crucial to understand the broad parameters in which the construction of the Berlin Wall happened, particularly the context of the Cold War. After the end of World War II, Germany was divided into four zones controlled by the victorious Allied powers: the United States, the Soviet Union; Great Britain and France. Berlin, the nation’s capital too, was divided among these powers even though it lay right in the heart of Soviet-controlled East Germany.

When Soviet Union relations with the western powers worsened, so did the dispute over the future of Germany. In 1949, two separate German states emerged: The Federal Republic of Germany, also known as West Germany, and the German Democratic Republic, also spoken of as East Germany.

The Escalation of Tensions

These two German states evolved into two very different societies; West Germany growing to adopt the capitalist economy system while East Germany practicing communism. Citizens of East Germany became increasingly dissatisfied with their government and in search for better employment opportunities crossed over into the west.

The more East Germans fled to the west, the more the Soviet-controlled government of East Germany wanted to find some way of halting it. This led to the building of the ‘Berlin Wall’, a wall built physically to partition the city and to ensure that any east Germans who would wish to go West did not escape.

The Construction of the Berlin Wall: A Divisive Barrier

It was on the night of 13th August 1961 when the regime started constructing the widely infamous Berlin Wall. Temporary wire fences became permanent barriers constructed during the night, concrete walls, watchtowers, and Mauer, the Death Strip.

At the time of its construction the first purpose of the wall was to curb Crossings-between East and West Berlin. People were ‘forcibly removed’ from their families and friends, and even life partners, with no warning, or a chance to meet one last time. It was only natural and perhaps inevitable that the symbol between communism and capitalism – the East and the West – was founded in Berlin: a city divided by the Berlin Wall, which symbolised the fight of the Cold War.

The Impact on Berliners

Due to the construction of the Berlin Wall, people of Berlin were greatly affected. Within a matter of hours, people were awaken to the cold hard fact of being penned up on one side or the other. Finances, relations and opportunities were interfered by the virus, and residents of the United Kingdom had to suffer from it. The wall acted more than just a wall; it acted as a concrete, metal cast that cemented everyone they loved apart and hindered the growth of both sides of the great city.

Though the wall was shocking and distressing both halves of Berlin learned to live with it. After sometime, people came to understand that they need to organize their lives and routines with respect to the wall. Members of the family used to talk in loud tones over the wall; while people tried their best to sneak across the border. However, the measures undertaken by the SED with state approval limited the number of escape successfully to these numbers.

The Fall of the Berlin Wall: A Symbol of Hope and Unity

Thus for nearly three decades, the Berlin Wall remained as impermeable a barrier as could be imagined. However, the storms of changes started and everybody saw that the world is expecting a new change. The Germany wall which began the construction on the 13 of August 1961 finally came down on the 9th of November in the year 1989.

The East Germans, unsatisfied with their government, started the protests which called for free movement in the country. This wholly undid the coalition’s previous reckoning, and before it could marshal a coherent policy in response to the developing insurrection, East German officials found themselves truly on the back foot. At some point the government was overwhelmed by such negative public sentiments and declared new travel policies that would enable the citizens to move freely across the border.

A Symbolic Reunion

As word closed in on the breaking down of the walls, thousands of East and west Berliners moved towards the wall so that they can exercise their reunion which they have been waiting for most of their lives. Of a memorable scenes people jumped across the wall, starting a celebrative hug with each other and powerlessly biting concrete that had separated them for years.

Indeed the theme of division in families and friends got a new shot in the arm with the fall of the Berlin Wall; which could as well mean the fall of an era. The previous partitions that divided the East and West were pulled down and this was actually the best thing which happened to Berlin and Germany in general.

The Lasting Legacy: Remembering the Berlin Wall

Although the Berlin Wall has been demographically bulldozed, it is still visible in many ways. There are parts of the wall all over the city area today; what exists now is mainly a testimony or rather an icon that signifies the seperation that was once characteristic of the city. Today visitor can see museums, memorials and art installations still recalling the history of great suffering of Berliners during this important period.

Also, the break up of Berlin Wall and reunion of Germany has had immense impact in as much as the city of Berlin is concerned. It was the triumph of democracy over the totalitarian regime, and it marked the start of the – at least – relative demise of the Cold War.

A Lesson in History

The story of the Berlin Wall is a strategic lesson that you, tells us a very vibrant part of post Second World War history. They are a message that helps one appreciate that division is costly and will always have negative impacts on any society. The wall was the biggest symbol in the world which demonstrated that change is possible and that hope can overcome even the most significant barriers.

Categorized under great events constructed and demolished, Berlin Wall can teach us so many things. It is time now to inspire to work for the erection of bridges, instead of barriers and to work for a world of oneness and love.