Later on, Berlin became the frontier between the ‘West’ and the ‘Soviet block’ during the period of the Cold War. Both East and West Berlin were each claimed; West Berlin was claimed even in presence of Western Allies who were now under Soviet administration. But why could she be able to keep independence inside West Berlin? Thus, let us cast a glance on those interesting sides of the past.

1. Should Consider Historical Background.

After the World War II, USA, USSR, UK and France alongside several other allies of the winning formed a quadrennial occupation policy to divide Germany into four occupation zones. Berlin likewise had been divided into four sectors, which belonged to the Soviet zone. Many conflicts and tensions built between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union which resulted to the Soviet blockade of West Berlin in 1948. This declared the start of Berlin’s Cold War.

2. Berlin Airlift:

Taking over control as the Soviet Union placed an embargo to the Western Allies, the Western Allies responded with the Berlin Airlift; a massive operation that involved the dropping of food, fuel and other essentials to West Berlin. At Tempelhof Airport it released goods from June 1948 to May 1949 until it delivered approximately two million tons. This efficient action showed that Western Allies was willing to fight for freedom of West Berlin.

3. The founding of two German states

Including the former occupied territories in the west, the Federal Republic of Germany, termed as the West Germany, was formed in 1949. Thus, along with East Berlin, East Germany or the German Democratic Republic, was established in the Soviet zone though West Berlin was geographically located in East Germany but it was controlled by the western Allies.

4. Berlin’s wall

Sponsored by the Soviet Union the Berlin wall was put up in 1961, this created a rigid barrier in the city and also banned anyone from crossing from East Berlin to west and vice versa. In addition to consolidating East German government power over its people, this barrier intended to stem mass emigration of East Germans to the West. The most significant symbol of the difference between East and West was created when Berlin was divided into two.

5. Support of the Western Allies

During the Cold War, particularly the United States and other Western Allies ensured they supported the freedom of West Berlin. They also demonstrate this diplomatically by making delightful comments, defending the city and investing their money. Allied troops also demonstrated the willingness to fight for rights of West Berliners.

6. Fall of the Berlin Wall

Next, demand rose and in 1989 there were disastrous protests in East Germany due to the beginning of the Cold War ending. The unique social pressure led the government to declare that any East Germans could freely travel to the West. This declaration in fact eliminates the barrier presented by the ‘Wall’ and symbolizes a new era that saw reunification of divided families.

Close

During the Cold War, West Berlin could remain free due to the Western Allies, the ability of the Allies to supply West Berlin by air and most importantly the geographical situation of the city of Berlin. Thus the fate of the West Berliners was in fact, freedom from the communism regime, based solely on the commitment and, the bear power of the Western Allies after the fall of the wall. This period can make people understand how persons lived during the Cold War period.