The Berlin Wall is probably one of the most popular symbols of the Cold War with Germany; it was a wall separating West Berlin from East Berlin and some of its districts. Its construction in 1961 raised a dark barbed-wire confrontation to the rival worlds of communism and capitalism..
The Construction of the Wall
Aug 12, 1961 was essentially marked by the Wall being built during the night in order to stop the East Berliners from moving to the West. They first ran several rounds of barbed wire fencing the wall and then proceeded to erect concrete appendages to further enhance the wall.
East German soldiers called the Volkspolizei toiled to create a geographical divide between the two parts of the city. Along the roughly 155 kilometer length the wall they was placed armed guards, as well as constructed watchtowers.
The Speed of Construction
The building of the Berlin Wall was carried out rather swiftly and numerous inhabitants of the city, as well as the global society, were unprepared for this event. Only several hours later, the simple chain link fence was traded for what can be described as a construction of concrete barrier which reaches an average height of 36 inches and extends 13 inches into the ground.
While the construction was a relatively fast process, it was not the immediate event that set into motion the events which led to the construction of the wall. The division of Germany to East and West became clear after the end of World War II. East Germany was under the command of the Soviet Union while the West Germany was under the command of United States, United Kingdom France.
Further, the situation worsened during 50s and early 60s, when a large number of East Germans appeared to flee to the western side. It will be useful for us to look at the construction of the Berlin Wall constructed in August 1961 as an immediate reaction to this trend.
The Impact on Berlin and the World
The Berlin Wall is symbolic and could represent more than the concrete. It affected the society, economy and psychological well being of the people of Berlin and indeed the people of the world in general.
Social Impact
The wall cut off all the social relations between families, friends and community groups which were evident in Berlin. People woke up one day realizing they are on this side of the wall unable to go home or visit their families.
Any attempt to try and cross the border was met by force from the East German border guards. The wall It left a symbol of oppression and a typical product of East and id divided and condemned internationally.
Economic Impact
From an economic standpoint, the wall had significant consequences as well. West Berlin became an isolated island within East Germany, completely surrounded by the wall. This isolation had detrimental effects on the economy, with trade and business activities severely disrupted.
On the other side of the divide, East Germany experienced economic stagnation due to its socialist regime and lack of economic integration with the prosperous Western world.
Psychological Impact
The psychological impact on the people of Berlin cannot be underestimated. Families were torn apart, and the wall served as a constant reminder of the ideological divide that separated them.
However, the resilience of the human spirit can never be fully contained by concrete and barbed wire. In the face of this immense obstacle, Berliners on both sides found ways to communicate and maintain connections, even if it meant risking their lives.
The Fall of the Wall
After standing for 28 years, the Berlin Wall finally fell on November 9, 1989, during a time of significant political change in Europe. The event was preceded by weeks of protests in East Germany, with citizens demanding freedom of movement and democratic reforms.
As political pressure intensified, the East German government announced that travel restrictions would be lifted, allowing citizens to cross the border into West Berlin. On that fateful night in November, jubilant crowds of East and West Berliners rushed to the wall, chipping away at its concrete structure with hammers and chisels.
The fall of the Berlin Wall marked a turning point in world history, symbolizing the end of the Cold War era and the reunification of Germany. The dismantling of this physical barrier led to a renewed sense of hope, unity, and cooperation.
Conclusion
The construction and subsequent fall of the Berlin Wall were historic events that shaped the world as we know it today. Over the course of 28 years, the wall served as a powerful symbol of separation and oppression, dividing families, communities, and a city.
However, the relentless pursuit of freedom and democracy ultimately prevailed. The fall of the wall marked the triumph of the human spirit, reminding us that even the strongest barriers can be overcome when people unite with a common purpose.
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