Berlin Wall

Berlin Map 1961: Berlin Wall

German history has many interesting aspects. One that I specifically find intriguing is during the 20^th century in 1961 when the Berlin Wall went up blocking off all traffic to and from West Berlin by the Soviet Union. This wall changed the lives and freedoms of many of the people living in Berlin, both positively and negatively.

East Berlin community began to improve under the communist system. Health care facilities improved and they were provided with free public transport throughout East Berlin. Jobs increased allowing the people to receive pay, better food, and rent. All of the people were treated equal regardless of their education and financial stability in this communist side of Berlin. Production companies and factory output also increased. This was critical for emergency situations and the demand for products. East Berlin was proud of their fairness to the people and their many achievements, unlike what they saw from the capitalist West Berlin. They felt their communist ideas prevented crime and violence because everyone was equal and there was no competition. There was no feeling of greed, jealousy, or ambition, leaving no reason to fight.

Citizens of East Berlin displaying the loss of their freedom
due to the construction of the Berlin Wall by the Soviet Union

East Berlin did absence many important freedoms such as the ability to vote and the freedom of speech. The citizens were not allowed to leave East Berlin and travel to the West. Although life styles improved, they did not enjoy the feeling of being trapped. There was also surveillance everywhere so they had very little privacy in the spaces they were allowed to be. The working people, which included everyone, also had no drive to work hard because everyone was paid the same. Also with such a large population and lower income, it lead to a very poor country. The government, controlled by a dictator, ran all business and owned all land. Citizens living in East Berlin had everything, just were limited amounts.

Brandenburg Gate: Built in the late
18th century, the gate symbolizes the
 tumultuous history of Europe and
Germany. 

West Berlin had different kinds of freedom than East Berlin. West Berlin were allowed movement between West Berlin and West Germany, but there were not allowed to vote in federal elections. They could stand for election though.

The fall of the Berlin Wall, reuniting all of Berlin, East
and West accepting on another with open arms

The Berlin Wall finally came down November 9, 1989 because thousands of East Germans barged the gates, demanding them to be opened. The East were met on the other side by the West carrying flowers and champagne to begin a celebration of reuniting that lasted for days. They celebrate this particular day today. This unification allowed West Berlin and East Berlin to unite as the city of Berlin, joining the Federal Republic as a state along with the rest of East Germany, erasing West Berlin and East Berlin completely. 

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