In the early hours of August 13th. 1961, East German construction workers accompanied by soldiers and police began shredding through the streets and constructing barriers throughout the city of Berlin and its surrounding areas. This night in Germany would mark the beginning of one of the most infamous divides of a city and history’s most talked about dividing lines, the Berlin Wall. The construction of the Berlin Wall throughout the city of Berlin, continued for the next decade. Not only did it divide Berlin and Germany, but it affected neighborhoods, separated families, and also affected the world.
The rise of the Berlin Wall, draws back to World War II. America, Britain, and France joined forces with the Soviet Union against the Axis Powers. After the Allied Power defeated Nazi Germany, each of the triumphant nations occupied a part of the country in four split zones. The capital city of Berlin laid 110 miles inside of the Soviet zone and it too was divided in four, a sector for each of the allies. This division of Germany was meant to be temporary, however the nations that occupied the country found themselves at odds over their visions for the country and post-war Europe. The Western Allied Powers, America, Britain, and France promoted liberal market economies, whereas, the Soviet Union wanted to surround itself with communist nations, including Germany. As the relationship between the Western countries and Soviet Union began to fall apart, the federal Republic of German was created in West, while the Soviet Union established the German Democratic Republic in the East. The Soviets laid claim to the largest sector, East Berlin, which occupied about forty percent of the city and contained 1.4 million of its citizens. The United States, Britain, and France took control over West Berlin, which held about 2.2 of the city’s citizens. Post-war Berlin was a waste land and refugees poured from the east to the west where reconstruction fueled by the Marshall Plan created jobs for many West and East Germans. In order stop the flow of citizens fleeing to West Berlin, the Soviets imposed a temporary blockade around West Berlin in 1948. This allowed for the Soviets to restrict Western trade and movement and bring the entire city of East Berlin under their control. However, after 11 months, the Soviets finally lifted the blockade on May 12th, 1949.
Despite the political differences between the Western Powers and the Soviet Union, the border between East and West Berlin were surprisingly opened. The city continued to share common infrastructure, from mail delivery to subways, everything was jointly operated and about 60,000 East Berliners worked on the West side. This became the main issue in Berlin; It was an opened city; therefore, the police could not get a handle on the people crossing the two halves of the city. Over the next decade, the refugee problem worsened and East Germany began losing 100,000 people a year. Soviet Union Premier, Nikita Khrushchev began renewing demands for allied troops to leave the west. In 1961, when East Germany was starting to melt away to the West due to how much they were prospering, the East German government examined their options, and decided that their best option was to build a wall to stop the citizens from going. Code named, “Wall of China” by the East Germans, was a top-secret operation to build a wall that aimed to establish a seven-mile barrier between East and West Berlin and a 69-mile barrier between West Berlin and East Germany. Foreigners would still be allowed across the border between checkpoints but East Germans, especially East Berliners would not. This operation which was conceived by East German president, Walter Ulbricht and approved by Khrushchev was launched at midnight, Sunday morning.
After the wall was built, the East Germans officials main issue was how would the West and especially the United States react to the news of the wall. West Berlin was in an uproar; however, it was the US that the East government officials were worried about. President Kennedy closely monitored events, however, as the days went by, it became clear that as long as the East left West Berlin alone, he was not going to take military action. Shockingly, the construction of the wall was politically accepted by the Western allies because this reduced and possibly eliminated future conflicts. So, in some senses, the building of the wall solved the Berlin crisis. Therefore, on August 16th, they issued orders to put up permanent barriers.
Officially, the wall was named the Anti-Fascist protective barrier, but many of the citizens knew that the purpose of the wall was not to keep enemies out but was to keep the 1.1 million East Berlin citizens in. Its impact on the city was immediate and profound; following the post-World War 2 border between East and West Berlin, the wall zig-zagged through the city, cutting through streets, road tracts, bridges, and whatever else laid in its path and numerous family and friends were separated. Some residents were so desperate to link up with their families that they would try to escape the all by jumping from the highest points of building just to try and get over the wall. But as the all expanded, this became more difficult. By 1965, 106 kilometers of 3.6 meters high concrete barricades had been added topped with a smooth pip to prevent climbing. Over the coming years, the barrier was strengthened with spike strips, guard dogs, and even landmines, along with 302 watchtowers and 20 bunkers. A parallel fence in the rear set off a 100-meter area called the death strip. It was there that all buildings were demolished and the ground covered with sand to provide a clear line of sight for the hundreds of guards ordered to shoot anyone attempted to cross. Nevertheless, nearly 5,000 people in total manages to flee East Berlin between 1961 through 1981. Some of those that flee were diplomats and athletes but others were ordinary citizens who dug tunnels and swam across canals to get through the wall. However, the risk was great. Over 138 people died while attempting escape. Some were shot in full view of West Germans powerless to help them.
The wall stabilized East Berlin’s economy by preventing its work force from leaving but tarnished its reputation, becoming a global symbol of communist repression. As part of reconciliation with the East, the Basic Treaty of 1972 recognized East Berlin and Germany pragmatically while West Germany retained its hope for eventual reconciliation. Although the Eastern regime gradually allowed family visits, it tried to discourage people from exercising the rights with an arduous bureaucratic process and high fees. Nonetheless, the process was still overwhelmed by applications.
By the end of the 1980’s, the liberalization of other eastern Bloc regimes caused mass demonstrations for free travel and demands for democracy. On the evening of November 9, 1989, East Germany tried to defuse tension by making travel permits easier to obtain. But the announcement brought thousands of East Berliners to the border crossing points in the wall, forcing the surprised guards to open the gates immediately. Rejoicing crowds poured into West Berlin as people from both sides danced atop the wall, while others began to demolish it with whatever tools they could find. Although the border guards initially tried to maintain order, it was soon clear the years of division were at an end. After four decades, Germany was officially reunified in October 1990 and Soviet Union fell soon after.
Today, parts of the wall still stand as a reminder that any barriers we put up to impede freedom, we can also break down.