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

West Berlin and West Germany: Understanding the Relationship

by | Oct 22, 2024 | Original Berlin

The Dynamics and Patterns of Fear and Anxiety in Social Interactions.

In addition to the normal city tours provided by big bus circles; 

While studying the history of Germany in the twentieth century, it is quite natural to meet questions concerning the difference between West Berlin and West Germany. In an attempt to answer the question: “Was West Berlin a part of West Germany?” this paper will examine the historical background of West Berlin and its irregular status.

 

The Division of Germany

Following the end of World War II in 1945, Germany found itself occupied by the victorious Allied powers: the United States, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and France. Similarly Berlin as the capital also experienced the same bad fate although situated in Soviet occupied zone.

 

The situation in World War 2 led to between the Western powers and the Soviets ultimately resulted in the creation of two German states Federal Republic of Germany-also West Germany and German Democratic Republic-also East Germany in 1949. The socialist democratic country of West Germany formed its allegiance with Western Europe and United States.

The Unique Status of West Berlin

The fact that the government has not totally closed it off, and has even made it an open international city, gives West Berlin a status that makes it unique.

Whereas West Germany – which comprised the united town and city areas – had been unified, the same was not the fate of West Berlin. Surrounded by the Berlin Wall erected by the East Germany in 1961 West Berlin was situated at the centre of East Germany. This wall also portrayed the barrier, which was drawn clearly between the East and West dividing West Berlin from the rest of the West Germany.

 

Thus, the point of view from the apartments of West Berlin was that although geographically sealed off as a part of East Germany, it remained under the control and jurisdiction of the western occupying powers and was, therefore, an Oasis of democracy and capitalist freedom in the Soviet block system.

 

Legal Framework

To deal with the situation in West Berlin somereements between the Soviet Union and the western powers were made. These contracts established West Berlin as distinct from East Berlin but did not give this city status of the state within the Federal Republic of Germany.

 

The first major treaty was the Four Power Agreement on Berlin concluded in 1971. This treaty defined policy and role of the four occupying power and established the specificity of West Berlin as a city unique in status and different from both East and West Germany.

 

Four Power Agreement on Berlin can be delete in four ways which calls for a fully-agreed policy of building four power arrangements while ensuring that no extra charges are burdening on Berliners.

 

In addition, 1972 Basic treaty between east and West Germany set the law status by recognizing the existence of the united states of West Berlin and the German Democratic Republic. Another concession of the Basic Treaty was scheduling and regulation of the so called transit-zone between West Germany and West Berlin.

 

Basic Treaty

 

Key Distinctions

1. Citizenship and Legal Status

West Berlin was a part of West Germany, its residents were West German citizens and, as such, they had most of the civil liberties which other West Germans had. They formed part of social and economic structures of West Germany but had no say in the German Parliament (Bundestag).

 

2. Economic and Cultural Integration

 

Zugang zu Wirtschaft und Kultur haben wie die Bevölkerung eines Landes oder einer Region.

On economic level West Berlin became part of economic system of West Germany. They used Deutsch mark as their currency and external-trade and economic relations between the two were promoted. Actually, as part of western Europe culturally West Berlin matched it in terms of liberal democracy and personal freedom was considerably more than that of its socialist counterparts in East Germany.

 

3. Geopolitical Significance

West Berlin was a city of tremendous strategic importance during the Cold war it represented the fight between East and West. It was one of the acclaimed destinations solely for freedom; therefore, it was a center of major diplomatic interactions or escalation of tensions between the two global powers, the United States and the Soviet Union.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, despite the significant similarities in economic, cultural, and legal connections of West Berlin and West Germany, the former state was not a provence of the later. It was structurally independent of West Germany but was closely related in almost every aspect – citizenship, economic union, and reliance on democratic principles. The East and West Germany division was an incredible experience in the past; it is a story that remains vivid as well as useful up to this date as relates to analyzing the existence of the twentieth century.

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