It will also be important to note that the Berlin Wall was constructed during a period that succeeded the Second World War. But, it was not built in the period of any particular war or midst the war period. In this paper, a brief historical background of the Berlin Wall, major events that led to this construction, and the justifiable grounds will be looked at.
Background of the Berlin Wall
The US and Great Britain set up their zone while the U.S.S.R and France also established their own zone in Germany after the World War II. Thus, two German states were established, namely the West Germany (Federal Republic of Germany) and East Germany (German Democratic Republic).
The Cold War and the Division of Germany
There emerged Cold War between the United States and Soviet Union after World War II due to bitter relationship. World politics and the ideological divisions between the capitalist west and the communism or the east led to the formation of east and west Germany.
When the two sides hardened their positions, many citizens of the GDR crossed the borders to the west to find themselves a better life. In order to prevent this trend, the Government of the GDR and Soviet Union became informed and started constructing Berlin wall to divide East and west Berlin.
Construction of the Berlin Wall
The construction work of the Berlin Wall started on August 13, 1961. This cemented barrier was made up of walls, wire fences and numerous watchtowers that ran a distance of 155kilometres (or 96miles) and were circumferential around west Berlin.
It was surrounded by armed guards who were authorized to shoot pass away any unauthorized person endeavoring to cross the wall. This brought strain to the families and the communities whereby many people were subjected to emotional and physical misery.
Reasons for Building the Berlin Wall
Based on the information given above, the following are the reasons that facilitated the construction of the Berlin Wall:
- Security: Both East Germany and the Soviet Union had spy-sensitive concerns and tended to keep a watchful eye on the infiltration of western culture to East Germany.
- Economic Reasons: Economic traffic and migration: Eastern Germany was further dwindling its growth because of skill depletion where qualified and talented employees were moving to western Germany with better offers.
- Division: Through the construction of the wall, people of East and West were effectively divided based on the different ideologies that each part of the world adopted. It was employed to show dominance of the party in all aspects and also its supremacy.
Impact and Fall of the Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall was a powerful symbol of the reality of the division, the division of people, friends, and cultures. However, some time in the future, the wall turns to them as the sign of subjugation and the division of Germany.
The East Germany experienced a major upheaval in 1989 with the public demanding change of political leadership as well as the freedom to travel was allowed. Due to the increased pressure in the end the East German government opened the border and allowed people to cross the border on November 9, 1989. The breaking of the Berlin Wall was followed with joy all over the world where the people and leaders cheered for the end of the Cold War era.
The Reunification of Germany
The topic is about german reunification and thus linked with the direct aftermath of the fall of the berlin wall. The unification of Germany began on the 3rd of October in 1990, when the West and East Germany ceased to exist and became one single nation again.
Conclusion
This was not created during a war but rather to control the situation that arose due to the Cold war politics. Its construction was intended to stop migration from the East to the West of the country, Germany. The impacts of the physical dismantling of the physical division in the German Capital in 1989 signified the reunification of Germany and the end of Cold War.
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