A physical separator of the watershed ideological confrontation of the Cold War, the Berlin Wall was the most menacing reminder of the tension between the East and the West during its almost 30 years of existence. It was not built overnight as an impulsive decision but was the result of years of increasing tension and political Games and a desperate attempt of the German Democratic Republic (GDR, or East Germany) to curb a gigantic flight of its population. The creation of the wall cannot be comprehended without entering the realm of the complicated geopolitical situation in the post-World War II Germany and the bleak facts of the divided city. It will reveal the complexities of why this notorious wall was built, who were the main actors and what were the circumstances and motivation that drove the construction of this wall.
The Division of Germany and Berlin after the War Period
Germany was split into four occupation zones after the World War II under the control of Allied powers including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and the Soviet Union. The division was reflective of the greater ideological confrontation between the capitalist West and the communist East. Berlin, situated far in the Soviet zone, was also subdivided into four sectors, which indicated the influence of occupying powers. But unlike the rest of Germany, the partitioning of Berlin had special problems and weaknesses which provided the basis of future confrontation.
East Berlin and West Berlin had great differences economically. West Berlin, under the patronage of Western Allies, was prosperous and had a strong capitalist economy and access to the Western resources. East Berlin, controlled by the Soviets, on the other hand, lagged with a centrally planned economy and thus goods were scarce and standard of living was low. This sharp contrast bred dissatisfaction on the side of East Berliners with many desiring opportunities and freedom in the west.
East to West Brain Drain
It was not only the economic difference that was making East Berliners move westwards. The call of freedom and democracy of West Berlin was something that many could not resist. Individuals would cross the border at the risk of their lives and more so, by using some highly organized escape routes. This constant brain drain, the flight of skilled labor and intellectuals, endangered the very existence of the GDR, adding to previously acquired economic miseries and diminishing the legitimacy of the regime)

A constant inflow of refugees was not only an economic issue to the GDR, but a major political concern to the communist government. Every defector represented the inability of the East German government to take care of its citizens and was a proof of the superiority of the Western system. This emigration, hence, posed a strong challenge to the communist party in its hold on the power.

The Role of the Soviet Union and the Tension that Built Up tension.
Soviet Union was a key player in events that saw the building of the wall. Fearing the defections of its citizens and the possibility of further weakening the country through more defections, the USSR put more and more pressure on GDR to act. The unceasing exodus of refugees was perceived by Moscow as a direct betrayal of its rule and threat to its communistic ideology.
Berlin was not the only place where the increasing tension between the East and the West tofixed place. The cold war was in full swing with the build up of arms race, proxy wars and clash of ideologies. The city of Berlin, placed as it was at the center of this confrontation, was a particular object of this struggle, a kind of miniature of the East-West conflict. The peculiar location of the city turned it into a very symbolic battlefield.
The Crisis of 1961 in Berlin and the Choice to Build
By 1961 the flight out of East Berlin was critical. The GDR government, being pressured by the Soviet Union, understood that it can no longer afford to passively observe how its population is shrinking. The construction of the wall was not an easy decision, however, it was considered as a necessary (though a brutal) step to retain the control and save the communistic regime.
The building of the wall was quick and violent. Barbed wire was installed overnight and families and whole communities were divided. Over the next few months the wall was strengthened and made into a well guarded barrier, with watchtowers, guard dogs and a minefield. Such a radical measure emphasized the despair of the GDR and the willingness of the Soviet Union to keep its sphere of influence under control.
The Berlin Wall: Separation and Suppression attributed to it
The construction of the Berlin Wall was to become one of the most powerful symbols of the Cold War, embodying the physical separation of Germany as well as the ideological differences between the East and the West. It was a burning reminder of how repressive the communist government in East Germany was and how restricted its people were.
The presence of the wall also was symptomatic of the international political situation. The failure of the Allied powers to find a peaceful solution to the status of Berlin and Germany showed the polarization between the sides and the danger of escalation of the Cold War. The building of the wall strengthened the partition of Germany and facilitated the existing tension between the superpowers.

The Berlin Wall Legacy
The fall of the Berlin wall some time in 1989 was a climax to the cold war and it brought about a season of change never seen before in eastern Europe. Its destruction was taken as a sign off communism domination in most sections of the globe and the victory of democracy and liberty.

The wall was left as a strong reminder of a sad episode in history, a reminder of the price of division and oppression. The analysis of the construction of the wall is a priceless experience in understanding the intricacies of the Cold War, the essence of totalitarianism, and the strength of the human spirit that can withstand all the hardships. It has become a warning and a reminder about the value of freedom and the abuse of power.

To sum up, the construction of the Berlin Wall was a multifaceted process that was caused by the combination of numerous factors, such as economic differences, political games, and the very nature of the Cold War conflict. It was a pathetic effort on the part of the GDR to stem the tide of people leaving the country and also the support of the Soviet Union which finally culminated in the creation of this notorious barrier. Its legacy still makes us realize the impact on the Cold War and the significance of international cooperation and human rights.

“`