The Berlin Wall was dismantled on the 9th of November in the year 1989. This was an event that signified the end of East and West Germany separation and brought a great revolution on the world.
Background of the Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall was erected by the East Germany in 1961 known as the German Democratic Republic. They aimed at halting emigration from the East to the West Germany mainly because this was deemed as a threat to communism by the East Germany administration.
The Wall was erected during the night and had concrete blocks, barbed wires as well as watch towers and a death strip which was closely guarded. This external constraint led to the division of families and many heartfelt connections in the lives of people.
The Fall of the Berlin Wall
The factors that led to the fall of the Berlin Wall include political reasons, social upheavals, and call for liberty. The Soviet Union, under President, Mikhail Gorbachev introduced reform measures and practised what they named as “glasnost” and “perestroika.”
The citizens’ demonstrations demanding greater freedom and democracy occurred several cities in East Germany such as Leipzig and Dresden. The pressure on the government rise and on the November 9th 1989, the GDR declared that its citizens were allowed to travel to West Germany.
The Celebration
This led to much jubilation as people assembled at the famous location of the Berlin Wall. While singing slogans, breaching security barriers and barriers and beginning the act of dismantling the wall with hammers and chisels. Loved ones separately from one side embraced and kissed their dear ones from the other side of the Wall Eastern and Western Germans.
The broken down of this wall signified the principle approach to the end of the cold war and marked the unification of East and West Germany. It also made one of the most memorable shifts in history which can be deemed as the victory of liberty over tyranny.
Impact and Legacy
Thus, the effects of the fall of the Berlin Wall were negative in many ways. Here are some key impacts:
1. Reunification of Germany
This marked the opportunity for the establishment of unification between East and West Germany and this actually began in October 3rd 1990. Germany was split into two, but the two states reunified, and Berlin became the capital of Germany.
2. End of the Cold War
The break up of the Berlin Wall meant that the super powers of United States and Soviet Union had ceased the cold war conflict. It meant the triumph of democracy and America’s style of free-market economy over communism that was practiced in the Eastern Bloc countries while allied with Soviet Union.
3. European Integration
The process of German unity that occurred after the fall of the Wall also contributed to the promotion of the EU integration process. It also helped to form the European Union and enhance diplomatic relations between the European countries.
4. Tourist Attraction
Today, the Berlin wall is one of the significant historical and tourism sites. Certain parts of the Wall have been fortified and are available for visitors to see as a form of an open air museum.
Conclusion
The notion of the collapse of the Berlin Wall in the year 1989 can be considered one of the key points in the history. It effected the unification of Germany ,it was the symbolic winning of cold war and also greatly influenced the future of Europe as regarding the cooperation. Today, the remains of the Wall serve as a reminder of the dangers of division and the importance of freedom and unity.
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