Introduction
During the time of the Cold War the German Democratic Republic constructed the Berlin Wall to split the city into eastern and western parts. Did this prominent structural barrier successfully complete what its operators intended during its existence? The inquiries about the Berlin Wall need to explore its original objectives and the consequences it generated along with how it finally ended.
The Purpose of the Berlin Wall
The main reason the Berlin Wall existed served to stop East Germans from crossing into West Germany since West Germans enjoyed better living conditions while having more rights and freedoms than their Eastern counterparts. The socialist government of the GDR maintained the Berlin Wall meant to defend its population against imperialist threats as well as protect state socialism.
1. Securing the East German Regime
The East German political leaders constructed the wall because they wanted to stop their nation’s loss of licensed labor force members and researchers to the West. Through border restrictions which blocked East Germans from crossing the line the government wanted to enforce rule over the citizens and keep socialism stable.
2. Symbol of the Cold War
During the Cold War the Berlin Wall functioned as an emblem which depicted the clear split across ideological lines as East and West stood opposed to one another. During the Cold War this wall functioned as a real objectification of the Iron Curtain which demonstrated both sides’ conflict and rivalry over the communist and capitalist affiliations.
The Impact of the Berlin Wall
Building the Berlin Wall generated substantial effect on West Germany and East Germany and international relations during that period.
1. Human Tragedy
Building the Berlin Wall produced massive suffering among human beings. Kinship relationships between people suffered because the wall isolated them across opposing sides. Numerous East Germans faced death either building aerial or underground routes to escape the wall and 100 people perished while attempting passage.
2. Economic Consequences
The wall destabilized economic activity to a critical degree in East Berlin and West Berlin parallelly. The thriving city turned into desolate territories because many businesses together with industrial facilities became divided during that period. The continuing support of a disconnected West Berlin proved economically damaging to its overall stability because it required high expenses to unite its separated citizens.
- Political Symbolism
The Berlin Wall served as an iconic representation of both human efforts to achieve liberation against communist barriers. International relations between the United States and Soviet Union intensified because both nations used the wall to demonstrate superiority of their political ideologies.
The Fall of the Berlin Wall
The division of Berlin ended when the Berlin Wall collapsed on November 9, 1989 after more than three decades. The historical moment established new directions for German past and global developments.
1. Peaceful Protests
Mass protests against government power in East Germany and Soviet Union travel policies united East German citizens to seek complete unification. The worldwide peaceful demonstrations particularly the Brandenburg Gate protest were key factors that brought down the wall.
2. Reunification and the End of the Cold War
The end of the Berlin Wall enabled Germany to reunite during 1990. Social, political and military boundaries between Eastern and Western systems disappeared during this time marking the end of the Cold War throughout Eastern Europe.
Conclusion
Despite its meant purpose as a border control measure between East and West Germany the Berlin Wall never stopped East Germans from escaping to Western territories. The wall evolved into a symbol which showed how communism failed to stop the desire for freedom among citizens. When the Berlin Wall fell it established democracy as the biggest winner of the Cold War while becoming a historical turning point for that period.
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