The Berlin Wall (1961)

Background

The Berlin Wall, one of the ugliest and most powerful symbols of the Cold War, was a fortified concrete barrier erected in 1961 between East and West Berlin, with the former being known as the German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) allied with the Soviet Union, while the latter was known as the Federal Republic of Germany (FDR or West Germany) associated with the major Western powers (Britain, France, and the United States).

Description

The Berlin Wall, despite its name, was not one wall, but two, and had undergone four evolutions; from a barbed fence and concrete fence to (what was known as) the fourth-generation wall.

The Wall was built to withstand being run through by vehicles, measured 155 kilometres (or 96 miles) long, and was four meters (13 feet) tall. Numerous strategically placed watchtowers, mines, and gun emplacement lined its region.

Purpose

In the years following World War II, Germany divided itself into four sectors under the control of Britain, France, the United States, and the Soviet Union; then, the first three formed the GDR, and the Soviet sector became the FDR.

Despite the blockade, West Germany enjoyed a higher standard of living, which had the unforeseen consequence of a brain drain (i.e., the fleeing of numerous professionals,
intellectuals, and skilled workers). This loss led to a further lull in economic growth, prompting East Germany to take measures to maintain control and stop East Germans from leaving for the West — they closed the border between East and West Berlin, and thus, the Berlin Wall was born.

The Fall Of The Berlin Wall

The Wall divided neighbours and families, which created enough economic, political, and social impacts that led to civil unrest in GDR, and would, along with the subsequent destabilization of the Soviet bloc (because of a series of uprisings), apply pressure on the East German government to announce that East Germans were free to cross the borders in November 1989.

The citizens of both governments flooded the checkpoints in celebration; as millions participated in one of the most incredible street parties in the history of the world, others did their best to knock down part of the Wall.

It took a while, but less than a year after the reunification of Germany on October 3, 1990, the government finally demolished the Wall.

Aftermath

Although many tried to escape by various means, only about 5000 people succeeded; the majority were captured, and about 200 were killed.

Bibliography

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