Free Walking Tour Berlin

When: Every day 10am & 12pm every day
Where: The meeting point is in front of the ehemaliges Kaiserliches Postfuhramt Berlin, Oranienburger Straße, 10117 Berlin, Germany, next to the entrance.
Price: Free

Why Was the Berlin Wall So Important?

by | Mar 7, 2024 | Walking Tour

The wall was built on August, 13th 1961 and separated the city of Berlin into the eastern part and the western part for about twenty eight years. abstract of the berlin wall It was not a wall just a physical division but rather the wall of the ideological and political confrontation of the cold war period. On the one hand, people in the East considered it the way to avoid penetration of capitalist views into their socialist country, so what did people in the West think they watched from behind the wall? Let’s explore:

The West’s Initial Reaction: Shock and Outrage

When information about the construction of the Berlin wall was brought to the awareness of the people in the west, the became so furious. The western leaders complained about this blatant infringement of the human rights and freedom of wander. For many it was much more than just a wall; it was a symbol of the iron curtain which divided East Europe from the rest of Europe.

Slicing Families and Communities to Pieces

The feeling that was given by the construction of the Berlin Wall was tangible and the feeling of the heart breaking. People were separated from their loved ones right away, and the citizens of Kent wanted to reunite their mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers and friends with them or go home. Even this kind of physical separation only heightened the resentment associate with the wall from the Western perspective.

The Wall as an example of social injustice

To ‘the West’, the Wall encapsulated GDR’s Soviet-sponsored bureaucracy, order and suppression. It was an embodiment of the clear political divide, that was the Cold war between Europe and the us on one side and Soviet Russia on the other. That was essentially where spectators could sense oppressive force of GDR, the lack of liberty behind the wall.

Increasing Tensions and talk of Escalation

The Berlin Wall served to escalate the conflict between the East and West in a very big way. It served as a sort of constant reminder of the Cold War conflict and of the possibility that things might really hot up at any time. The western leaders understood that the situation was delicate and dangerous and much as any Turkish miscalculation just clued into increasing the conflict to an even terrible level one that could warrant the use of nuclear bombs.

Checkpoint Charlie: A Symbol of the Cold War

The crossing point known as Checkpoint Charlie made the division of Germany and its capital, Berlin into east and west more notorious. This was a very security post at which troops of the United States and the Soviet Union ransacted a glance over one another. Here at Checkpoint Charlie there was such tension and the division in to the western and eastern part of the city was shocking.

The Fall of the Wall: A Triumph of Freedom

The toppling of the Wall in Berlin on the night of November 9 1989 was perceived as a victory for only freedom indicating the end of the Cold War. Westerners hailed reunification and the breaking of the barrier which had caused people to be divided throughout so many generations; families, friends and communities apart.

Reunification of Germany

After the breakdown of the Soviet Union and the objects that it stood for, the wall between East and West Germany fell. This event which was marked as a great victory in the West being glad to have a united nation after being split. Although major parts of the wall has now been dismantled, considerations of the existing structure manifests the fighting spirit of liberty fighters across Cold War period.

The Legacy of the Berlin Wall

The Wall in the Berlin has disappeared, however, the consequences of its construction can still be observed. He is an allegorical character that symbolises the need for unity in a divided world and the power of freedom. It is now a memorial of the victory of hope against oppression and of spirit of humaneness.

Lessons Learned

The lessons we can learn from story of the Berlin wall are quite simple – ideological differences are crimes and can dramatically change people and territories. It is a sad reflection of the world to remind people freedom, human rights and need to promote peace and cooperation between countries.

Celebrating 30 Years of Unity

It is worth noting that in 2019 the world marked the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. To remind the community members of how the society had been divided this momentous occasion was an opportunity to come together for a more peaceful society.

Conclusion

The Berlin Wall was all about the divided city and two world that had been separated during the Cold War. For the people of the western countries they have thought that it is a symbol of a regime that reduces the freedom of people and separate families. It was let to fall with immense pleasure and symbolized the reunification of Germany as well. Currently, only few copies remain, which act as a symbol of people’s resilience and application of unity.

Thank you for reading. If you're inspired by the stories of Berlin and want to delve deeper, why not join us on our Free Berlin Walking Tour? It's a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the city's rich history and vibrant culture. We look forward to welcoming you soon.

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WHAT TO EXPECT

  • 3.5 hours walking tour
  • Berlin’s major highlights
  • Brandenburg Gate
  • Reichstag and Berlin Wall
  • Historical sites

Free Walking Tour Berlin

When: Every day 10am & 12pm every day
Where: The meeting point is in front of the ehemaliges Kaiserliches Postfuhramt Berlin, Oranienburger Straße, 10117 Berlin, Germany, next to the entrance.
Price: Free