In the history, there have been so many physical barriers raised to separate communities and nations. For instance, it was the Berlin Wall, of 1961 – 89, to divide the city of Berlin. But the question remains: The Berlin Wall was that effective measure? It’s time to unravel the subject matter and raise different points of view.
1. Historical Context
First, we need to know about history to know what was the effectiveness of the Berlin Wall.
During the Cold War, which was a time when there was a seen enemy: the East Bloc ruled by the Soviet Union, and West Bloc ruled by the US, the Berlin Wall was built. The wall was thought necessary by East Germany under communist rule to prevent its emigrants.
2. Effects on Daily Life
The people living in that divided city were affected by the building of the Berlin Wall.
- Social Separation: Overnight families were separated from one another. Strained communities were torn apart by the wall, and produced emotional distress, severed social ties.
- Limited Freedom: The wall stopped East Berliners who wanted to travel to the West, and where they could go. The restricted freedom had an impact in several aspects of carrying out everyday lives, for example, work, speak me and resources to deliver services that are essential.
- Escaping Reality: As a defamatory physical manifestation of the divided ideology (communist vs. capitalist) it was a constant reminder of the larger sociopolitical conflict.
3. Political Implications
Central to these implications, within Germany and on the world scale, was the Berlin Wall.
- Propaganda Tool: The wall was also a propaganda tool of East Germany, which said it was built in order to protect its citizens from Western imperialism. This narrative, however, was not believed by the international community.
- Symbolic Divisions: After that, the wall became a symbol of Cold War and division between the Soviet Union and the western bloc. Presence added to the tensions and brought into the forefronts the ideological battle between the two superpowers.
- Political Backlash: But many called the wall into question and do so, all with international attention. Instead, it became a rallying cry for anti communist sentiment, a focus point for those calling for human rights and freedom.
4. Evaluating Effectiveness
The Berlin Wall is nearly impossible to asses its effectiveness, since several points of view and criteria should be taken into account.
- Preventing Emigration: From East German authorities’ point of view, the wall accomplished its basic function in restricting the emigration. After the wall was built, the number of escape attempts reduced significantly.
- Humanitarian Consequences: The wall’s humanitarian consequences, arguably, should be thought out. It stopped emigration and violated basic human rights at the same time and sustained a lot of suffering.
- Long-Term Political Impact: The wall propelled those rejecting communist regimes as a rallying point, helping to spark increased international pressure on East Germany as it fell.
5. The Fall of the Berlin Wall
On November 9, 1989 the Berlin Wall fell after nearly three decades. It was the turning point in history.
The end of the Cold War and the withering away of the communist regimes in Eastern Europe came mostly to symbolize the fall of the Berlin Wall. The joy was of reunification and the revival of freedom and human rights.
Conclusion
With regard to the amount of social, political and humanitarian impact it is difficult to argue that the Berlin Wall was actually an effective measure. Despite its intended effect of stopping emigration, the long term effects were thought excessive by all sides. The fall of the wall symbolised the victory for human rights and democracy, human spirit, for freedom to prevail.
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