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Berlin experienced separation through the concrete Berlin Wall from 1961 till 1989. The German Democratic Republic otherwise known as East Germany constructed this structure to stop citizens from fleeing across the border to West Germany while it prospered politically and economically after World War II.

Historical Background

Following World War II Germany received four separate occupation sectors administered by Americans and British, French and Soviets. The Soviet section of Berlin underwent sectoral partition just like the remainder of East Germany. After Western Allied and Soviet Union tensions worsened the two countries established different governments in separate regions of Germany which created the Federal Republic Of Germany (FRG) in West Germany and the German Democratic Republic (GDR) in East Germany.

The Construction of the Berlin Wall

The migration rate of East Germans moving to West Germany grew into millions during the 1940s through the 1960s because they sought improved prospects. The GDR faced serious negative implications from this exodus because it lost numerous skilled workers and professionals at a critical time for its development. The continuing labor departure pushed the GDR leadership to build an actual border to stop the migration of people.

On the night of August 13th 1961 the GDR government initiated the sudden construction of the Berlin Wall. A barrier looped 155 kilometers (96 miles) around West Berlin through walls and fences and barbed wire fences with guard towers provided complete encirclement.

Soldiers with guns protected the wall in shifts to the order of conducting deadly attacks on wall crossers. The GDR government established the Berlin Wall because it needed to protect its citizens from Western influences while stopping sabotage and espionage activities by Western powers.

The physical division known as Iron Curtain created a devastating effect on the city of Berlin.

During the Cold War the Berlin Wall developed into an emblem representing the powerful gap between Eastern Bloc countries which Soviet Union led and Western Bloc countries headed by the United States and NATO Alliance. During the Cold War the iron curtain became the public symbol representing European political separation across East and West.

After its establishment the Berlin Wall left permanent scars throughout the city. People lost both their family ties and employment and material goods in an instant due to the wall’s establishment. The Berlin Wall created two Jerichos within the city by enforcing physical as well as emotional borders. The physical barrier worked as a permanent testimony to the bitter Cold War conflicts and divisions.

Life With the Berlin Wall

Under the conservative influence of the wall both East and West Berliners experienced unique ways of life. The GDR government through East Berlin controlled its population through information censorship and non-communist country travel restrictions. The economy performed worse in East Berlin than West Berlin experienced success.

West Berliners lived in a state of increased freedom while enjoying advanced economic conditions because of their geographic location. The city represented democratic values along with citizens’ perseverance while the Allies gave their support and assistance to the population.

The Fall of the Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall existed as an emblem of tyranny while showing the entire world the deep split that existed between Germans. People continually went against the wall by organizing protests and attempts at crossing it during which U.S. President Ronald Reagan delivered his famous speeches and East Germans peacefully demonstrated.

On November 9th 1989 the GDR authorities gave their citizens unrestricted permission to move freely from East to West Germany after numerous peaceful demonstrations across the nation. East Germans filled the wall as thousands of them arrived while border guards necessarily opened the gates to allow passage.

The Berlin Wall collapse began a lasting change in global history which led to the termination of the Cold War before Germany achieved national reunification. The structure itself transformed into a symbol which demonstrated that freedom would overcome all forms of oppression.

Conclusion

Through its legacy the Berlin Wall demonstrates all the conflicts and separation that arose from Cold War tensions. The wall which maintained East-West division for many decades lost its power to extinguish the burning German desire for liberation and unification until it succumbed to its end.

The tale of Berlin Wall shows how people together with nations have shown undaunted persistence to protect their freedoms and achieve a brighter future.