Builders: East German construction workers, supported by soldiers and police
Purpose: To divide Berlin and prevent East Germans from fleeing to the West
Physical Structure:
Initial: Barbed wire and mesh fencing
Expanded:
By 1965, 106 kilometers of 3.6-meter-high concrete barricades
Topped with smooth pipes to prevent climbing
Reinforced with spike strips, guard dogs, landmines
Included 302 watchtowers and 20 bunkers
Historical Context
Post-World War II Division:
Allied Occupation: America, Britain, France, and the Soviet Union occupied Germany
Emergence of Two Germanys:
West Germany (Federal Republic of Germany): Supported by Western powers
East Germany (German Democratic Republic): Soviet-aligned
Iron Curtain: A metaphorical divide separating the Communist East from the capitalist West
Berlin's Unique Situation:
Joint administration by the Allies in West Berlin, located within East German territory
East Germans could cross into West Berlin with relative ease
Reasons for the Wall
Political:
East German leadership aimed to prevent its population from fleeing
East Germany portrayed the West as a continuation of Nazi regime
Soviet extraction of resources weakened East Germany's economy
Economic Disparities:
West Germany had higher salaries, more consumer goods, and greater personal freedom compared to East Germany
Significant emigration: 3.5 million East Germans (20% of the population) left by 1961
Impact and Aftermath
Economic Stabilization for East Germany: Prevented workforce attrition
Global Symbol: The Berlin Wall became a symbol of Communist repression
Escape Attempts and Deaths:
Approximately 5,000 successful escapes
Over 138 people died attempting to cross
Fall of the Berlin Wall
Prelude to Fall:
Mass demonstrations for free travel and democracy in the late 1980s
Liberalization in Eastern Bloc countries
Collapse:
On November 9, 1989, travel permits were made easier to obtain, leading to a rush at border crossing points
Reunification of Germany occurred in October 1990
Legacy: Parts of the wall remain as a reminder of the past and the triumph over barriers to freedom
Conclusion
The Berlin Wall was both a physical and ideological barrier that represented the broader geopolitical struggle during the Cold War. Its eventual fall symbolized the possibility of overcoming divisions and the pursuit of freedom.