Berlin wall is several major major event marked in the history of world where people in east and west was split during the Cold war. This notorious dividing structure divided East and West Berlin limiting the flow of people and information between the two areas. Now let us get down to understanding the specifics of how the Soviet Union constructed the Berlin Wall.
The Background: Post-WWII Germany
After World War II, Germany was divided into four occupation zones controlled by the Allied powers: the United States, Soviet Union, United Kingdom, and France. As well as the capital city, Berlin which is situated in the Soviet zone it was also divided into four sectors.
The Ideological Split
The division of Germany was therefore in sync with political differences between the Soviet and the western powers. The soviet was seeking to impose communism on east German while the West was seeking to have democracy and capitalism in the same region.
The Growing Tension
Consequently, as the Cold War unfolded there were general international relations tensions between the Soviet Union and the Western states. Most people in East Germany were looking for a chance and freedom which led to massive migration from East German to West Germany.
Escalating Migration
By 1961, around 2700000 East Germans had immigrated to West, which led to the problems in economy and social life for Soviet Union and Government of GDR. This prompted the construction of the Berlin Wall through the aim of stopping more migration.
The Construction
The barrier was erected by the government of East Germany, with the blessing of the Soviet Union, on the night of August 12, 1961. Here are the key steps involved:
1. Initial Obstacles
The first was the prohibition of streets linking east and west Berlin and the closing of the existing check points. Tech barriers were erected to stop people from freely moving between the two areas, barbed wire included.
2. Concrete Wall
The first coiled wire was then superceded by a harsh barrier built out of concrete panels which stood almost twelve feet tall and four feet broad.
3. Guard Towers and Fences
For six-and-a-half hours along the wall, guard towers were built, increasing the height and allowing border guards to watch the area from above. Extra barriers and a death strip supported the constructions.
4. Anti-Vehicle Trenches
To avoid any attempt to speed through the wall, anti-vehicle trenches were dug thus requiring a vehicle to have great difficulty when crossing the border.
5. Checkpoints
A small number of crossings with intense control of the border were implemented in order to manage the flow of allowed people between East and West Berlin.
6. Continual Upgrades
The second, with time, was subject to constant modernizations: additional fencing was introduced, and new sophisticated alarm systems and guard towers appeared.
The Impact and Fall of the Wall
The Berlin Wall was a representation of the Iron Curtain for nearly 28 years acting as a barrier between families and crushing personal liberty. But because of the change in society and politics it could not sustain the pressures of reunification.
The Fall of the Wall
The Checkpoint Charlie, got opened to the public on the November 9, 1989 after pressure from mass demonstration and a shift of policy by East Germany. With this, thousand of people rushed and came to the wall defying all the barriers and e favoring the reunification of Germany.
In Conclusion
Soviet Union built the Berlin Wall that separated the citizens between East and West Berlin during Cold War. Knowing who built the wall how it was constructed, and what it symbolizes helps to better comprehend this period in world history.
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