The city of Berlin was split in half by the Berlin Wall, which ran from 1961 to nearly 1989, until the German Democratic Republic (GDR) fell and was replaced by the German Democratic Republic (GDR). This Cold War icon chopped families, friends and communities apart, and was a defining force in the geopolitical world. The wall was built by GDR as barrier to prevent the exodus of East Germans to the West, how did the Western world notably the United States and its allies look on this barrier? We look at how the West felt about the Berlin Wall when it was alive.
The Initial Reaction: Shock and Disapproval
The Western nations were taken aback when, on August 13, 1961, overnight, the Berlin Wall was first constructed. It was perceived by some as a physical expression of the Iron Curtain; or in other words, as a challenge straight to the principle of freedom and democracy. Kennedy, and other Western leaders, condemned the wall and disapproved. To the West it was a repressive instrument of the GDR in curbing a basic human right — freedom of movement.
The Political Fallout
The Berlin Wall accentuated east versus west, therefore, it augmented the bitter atmosphere while in the Cold War. It was a final nail in the coffin in terms of the capitalist West and communist East. The wall became a propaganda weapon for Western governments championing the failure of the socialist system and showing how democracy is superior. However, they thought the wall’s there demonstrated the weakness of the Eastern Bloc and in turn helped bolster their own anti communist posture.
The Wall as a Necessary Evil
Western leaders first reacted with horror and revulsion at the wall, but eventually accepted it as something that, while it certainly unsettled the conscience, was at least necessary. It became obvious to them that it was a stabilization factor for Berlin and prevented large scale fights between the East and the West. It physically concentrated the two conflicting ideologies so that a direct military clash with one or the other did not seem practical.
Dealing with the Wall’s Consequences
Moreover, the existence of the wall was a problem for the Western powers. The result was personal freedom loss for people in East Germany and inability to travel freely across Berlin. But the West responded in supporting those affected by the wall. It became an oasis of prosperity and attracted worldwide attention in West Berlin. West’s commitment to the well-being of people behind the Iron Curtain were best shown in programs such as the U.S. airlift during Berlin Crisis of 1948-1949.
The End of the Wall and the West’s Perspective
On November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall fell, closing an era of division and attesting to democracy’s victory over communism. This historic event was hailed a victory for freedom and unity by the West. This was a tribute to the human spirit and the futility of using force to bring about change.
Reflecting on the Aftermath
After the wall’s demise, the Western world has treated it as a sharp reminder of what danger against division is and but also of the need for unity. It is an age old symbol of human rights and the triumph of liberty. Preservation of the memory of the most significant wall in history in its own memorial and museum form was established.
Conclusion
The Western world was in shock and disapproval of the Berlin Wall. Oppression and freedom had been viewed as a symbol of and a physical barrier to freedom. Yet Western nations always came to see the wall as a necessary evil throughout its existence. It was stability and intervened between the East and the West. We celebrate the fall of the wall as a triumph of democracy, the wall is reminding us of the need of human rights and unity in our world today.
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