The Rise of the Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall was a concrete manifestation that existed as barrier dividing the East and West Berlin for 28 years from 1961 to 1989. Its construction was a result of a freezing rate of the Cold War rivalry between the Soviet Union with the Western Allies.
After they end of the World War II Germany is split between the USSR and the Allied forces, hence there is tension between them. In order to prevent entirely packed Eastern Germans escape to the West, the Soviet Union resolved to build a wall.
The Location of the Berlin Wall
The length of the Berlin Wall was roughly 155 kilometers (around 96 miles) and crowned the border between West and East Berlin while dividing the city from East Germany territory. It passed through the middle of Berlin in several districts and through several sights.
Checkpoint Charlie
An area which had become synonymous with the divide in Germany was Checkpoint Charlie. Located at the border of the American and Soviet zones this checkpoint was a representation of Cold War and East and West division.
Checkpoint Charlie was the only symbol the world could relate to for political struggle and it made this place a point of interest to many visitors who wants to get a feel of the historical value of the place.
Brandenburg Gate
The Brandenburg Gate, in the central part of Berlin, was among the matter of fact checkpoints before the construction of the Berlin Wall. But during the years of partition the gate represents the sharp division between two different worlds.
If the Brandenburg Gate is removed from this list, then it must be reiterated that the monument only again became a symbol of reunification after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and is today one of the most well-known sights in Berlin.
Life Along the Berlin Wall
By exploring the methodology of narrating the stories of those who saw the Berlin Wall divide their neighborhood, the show indicated how the construction of this monstrous wall affected the … Houses and homesteads were burnt, members of the same families turned against each other and neighbours turned against neighbours.
The Death Strip
Originally referred to as the ‘death strip’, the strip of land between the inner and outer walls of the Berlin Wall was lethal. This heavily fortified zone had always posed a major risk to travelers trying to escape from East to West.
Electric fences were erected along the length of the Death Strip; guard towers, barbed wire, and other means of preventing an attempt to escape were built, and everyone who tried to climb the Wall simply perished .
Escape Stories
Still, people tried to cross the Berlin Wall over it or under it, as it was a very dangerous thing to do. Some had constructed tunnels while others threw themselves out the windows or used mechanical equipment to get through mere windows.
Speaking of escape attempts, there are numerous cases of escapes that were accomplished as well as many that failed these stories are the best evidence of the spirit and the desire for freedom when all is lost.
The Fall of the Berlin Wall
The peace movement led to one of the most symbolic dramatic changes in the world’s history: on November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall came down. This change was due a combination of factors such as protest, political liberalization, and the shift in the world environment.
Peaceful Protests
During the 1980s, the population of the East Germany protested against the government regime’s tyranny and딩 Calling for the end of oppression. These societies continued to protest and their protests were instrumental in the change that was realised later.
Perhaps the best-known was the Leipzig Monday Demonstrations, which had thousands of East Germans walking for change but nonviolently. These protests received wide circulation and put pressure to the East Germany government.
Political Reforms
During the period headed by the Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev two political reforms and policies were initiated in the Soviet Union and effected the countries in the Eastern Bloc these were glasnost and perestroika .
These reforms set people and leaders of East Germany a signal and brought about conditions that finally made the opening of border possible.
The Legacy of the Berlin Wall
The breaking of the Berlin Wall marked the close of the Cold War and brought vision for people all over the world. Modern landmarks can be associated with the Wall as the symbol of division and today we can still see parts of walls that have united people.
East Side Gallery
The East Side Gallery is a section of the best known symbol of Cold War – the Berlin Wall changed into a permanent art display. It has many painted murals which are colourful and created by artists from different countries – for people to believe that art and togetherness is powerful.
Museum of the Wall
For a more elaborate tour, visitors are welcome to the Museum of the Wall. This museum educates its visitors on the history of the Berlin Wall and the influence that this barrier had through display of various features, collections and experiences.
Conclusion
The Berlin Wall stands for several years, years of division, years of oppression and years of struggle. These verses in the story also remind us of the dumping of human powers and of the importance of liberty.
Seeing with our own eyes the locations and the controversial history associated with the Berlin Wall helps realize how this historical event affected the world and why actions were made to create unity and peace.
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