The Construction of the Berlin Wall
In the aftermath of World War II, Germany was divided into four occupation zones, each controlled by a different Allied power: the United States, the Soviet Union, Great Britain, and France. The city of Berlin, situated deep within the Soviet occupation zone, was also divided into four sectors.
As tensions between the Soviet Union and the Western powers heightened, many East Germans began to flee to West Berlin seeking a more prosperous and free life. To stem this mass exodus, on August 13, 1961, the East German government, backed by the Soviet Union, constructed the Berlin Wall, a physical barrier that separated East and West Berlin.
The Structure
The Berlin Wall was 96 miles in length and about 12 feet high made of concrete. The walls that comprised it were two parallel walls with a ‘death strip’ in between those walls: trenches, guard towers and barbed wire. These were taken as a means to stop East Germans from heading to the West.
The Impact on Berlin
The building of the Berlin Wall was very important for the city and its citizen. One reason for the east Germans becoming divided from their friends and families who lived over the border was overnight and separated families, and East Berliners cut off from the West Berlin lifestyle, which was vibrant and liberal.
The wall, a symbol rather stark of the Cold War, became a divide between democratic and capitalist West, and communist East, over years. In addition to physically partitioning the city it represented the ideological partition of the world at that time.
The Duration of the Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall stood as a physical barrier for a total of 28 years, from 1961 until its eventual fall in 1989.
The Fall of the Berlin Wall
Often called the rise of the Berlin Wall, or the fall of communism, was a big part of history. It ended the Cold War, and was symbolic of Germany’s reunification.
However, while the fall of the wall involved a number of factors, not least of which were the political changes taking place in the Soviet Union, mass protests in East Germany and the East German government’s readiness to let people travel to the West, it was really the catalyst for all that. These are factors that came to an end November 9 at 6 p.m., when the government announced that East Germans could now cross the border freely.
It triggered jubilation when East Germans armed with hammers and chisels started to tear down the wall. Both sides of the people came together and celebrated the freedom and unity.
The Legacy
The fall of the Berlin Wall not only ended the division of Berlin but also paved the way for the reunification of Germany on October 3, 1990. It signified the triumph of democracy and freedom over totalitarianism and repression.
Today, the Berlin Wall serves as a powerful reminder of the struggles endured by those living under oppressive regimes and the resilience of the human spirit. It has become a symbol of hope and unity, representing the power of people to bring about positive change.
Museums and Memorials
In Berlin commemorative museums and memorials have been set up for the Berlin Wall and the events which led up to its fall. This is where you will come across the Berlin Wall Memorial and Checkpoint Charlie Museum, the former are amongst the most popular. These institutions will provide you with the opportunity to learn about this great period in history.
Visiting Berlin Wall sites, especially while reading in-depth about what divided societies go through and how to maintain peace and freedom is, well, it’s helpful.
Conclusion
For 28 years it stood: The Berlin Wall, a sign of all the ships there were between East and West Berlin. Unfortunately it could not withstand change in the wind and the people’s desire for freedom and one singe national entity. It eclipsed and represented a new era and represented the human’s spirit ability to defeat even the most daunting barriers.
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