Berlin Wall - Research Paper Example

The Berlin Wall Introduction The Berlin Wall was a wall built by the German Democratic Republic or East Germany as a means of blocking off West Berlin from East Germany and East Berlin. This wall was built after the Second World War and included guard towers along the walls which defined an area for anti-vehicle trenches. It was built in an apparent attempt to secure their population against communist elements and to prevent people from conspiring against the government. Generally however, this wall was built in order to prevent the defection practices which were common among the East Germans during the post-WWII period. This paper shall discuss the history of the Berlin Wall, including the fall of the Wall, and its subsequent implications. Body When the Second World War ended in Europe, in accordance with the Potsdam Agreement, the Allies divided what was left of pre-WWII Germany into four zones with each zone to be controlled by four Allied countries, namely, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and the Soviet Union (Hertle, 2007). Berlin was also divided into four parts with each portion also controlled by the four states (Hertle, 2007). Soon thereafter, the political divides drifted into greater gaps between the Soviets and the other states. One of the main issues seen at this point was the fact that USSR refused to cooperate with the reconstruction plans for Germany (Hertle, 2007). They refused to follow through with any plans to make Germany more self-sufficient and plans for the construction of industries and infrastructures were immediately disputed and removed by the Soviet government (Turner, 1987). In the years that followed the Second World War, the UK, France, and the US, as well as the Benelux states would soon call a meeting in order to combine the non-Soviet occupied areas into one united zone for the easier application of the Marshall Plan (Kempe, 2011). The USSR was adamant in its refusal of any Allied intervention on its actions and activities in East Germany. After the Second World War, Joseph Stalin of the Soviet Union established an informal union of states which would be known later as the Eastern bloc, with Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia as its allies (Wettig, 2008). It was a grouping of nations which he planned to maintain together with the Soviet-controlled portion of Germany. His plans were to compromise the power of the UK over its portion and when the US would later withdraw, he then wanted to push forward with his plants to create a united communist Germany (Wettig, 2008). In order to funnel Soviet communist ideals to Germany, Marxism-Leninism became a standard part of the German school curriculum and this prompted many students, as well as scholars to defect to the West (Wettig, 2008). East Germany was however under close monitoring by the German police as well as the Soviet secret police, also known as the SMERSH (Wettig, 2008). This made defection difficult, but not impossible for thousands of East Germans. With disagreements regarding the introduction of new German currency, Stalin implemented the Berlin blockade which prevented the entry of food and other supplies from the Western occupied blocs (Pearson, 1988). The Western bloc countries then airlifted some supplied into West Berlin. The Soviets launched their public relations campaign against the Western bloc protesting the policy changes of the Western countries (Pearson, 1988). As 300,000 Berliners protested against Stalin’s actions in stopping the airlifts, the latter relented and allowed the shipment of supplies to Berlin (Wettig, 2008). In the days following these series of events, the German Democratic Republic was established in October 1949 and based on a secret treaty the Soviet government gave East Germany its state administrative power, but not its independence (Childs, 1988). In the process, Soviet forces and government authorities were sent to the administrative, military as well as their police forces and institutions; in effect, USSR actually had control over Germany. West Germany, on the other hand, was very much a Western-influenced territory as it developed a Western capitalist and social market economy as well as a democratic parliamentary rule (Turner, 1987). Economic progress and growth was enjoyed by West Germany and through its developments, it manifested strong recovery from the war; their standards of living improved and their economy grew at significant rates (Turner, 1987). Due to this manifested progress, many East Germans wanted to move to West Germany. With the Soviet dominance in East Germany, the East Germans started to aspire for their own independence and their freedom from Soviet authority (Turner, 1987). In the 1950s, thousands of citizens started to cross to West Germany, and with each year, more and more citizens started to defect to Western Germany (Turner, 1987). Many of these Germans were driven by their desire for independence, for economic progress, as well as their fear of ‘Sovietized’ (Apor and Rees, 2008). In 1952, East German leaders and Stalin met and a system of passes for border crossings was proposed; they also believed that applying this method could help control and stop the entry of Western spies into the German Democratic Republic (Thackeray, 2004). The East German police and military were then instructed to reinforce the outside borders and to delineate an inner border between East and West Germany (Thackeray, 2004). The German border between East and West Germany was erected through a barbed-wire fence; but the border between East and West Berlin stayed open. Berlin therefore became an access point for those wanting to defect into West Germany. It also became a tension-filled border between the US and USSR (Buckley, 2004). By 1955, the East Germans were authorized to control civilian activities in Berlin. Visits were allowed at first, however, due to the defection of many visiting relatives to West Germany, the restrictions in the visits became absolute (Cate, 1978). In 1957, a passport system was introduced and this decreased the border crossings for refugees wanting to leave East Germany. This again increased the rates of individuals leaving East Germany via West Berlin (Cate, 1987). Heavy penalties were imposed on those caught leaving but these penalties did not prove to be effective deterrents to defections. In fact by the year 1961, about 3.5 million East Germans already defected to West Germany (Buckley, 2004). East Germany was initially reluctant to completely close the West Berlin border because it would cut off the railroad traffic in their region. As a new railroad bypassing West Germany was completed in 1961, it was then time for them to consider completely closing the border (Buckley, 2004). The defection of millions of East Germans into West Germany resulted to a brain drain; this was a legitimate fear considering that most of the defectors were young and educated. These young defectors left Germany largely for economic reasons and this caused East Germany much concern, and they considered this a critical period in their history (Osterman, 2001). East Germany also launched its propaganda against defecting citizens, declaring it as an act of political depravity, and moral backwardness (Osterman, 2001). This did not however effectively persuade the young and eager minds to leave their country. In fact, as the 1960s rolled in, East Germany was left with only about 61% of a population within the working age and unfortunately, most of the defectors were engineers, technicians, doctors, and lawyers (Dill, 1970). This brain drain caused East Germany about $7 billion, including lost investments in education (Dill, 1970). Due to all these colluding and worsening elements, construction of the wall began in 1961. Walter Ulbricht the GDR State Council chairman first suggested it, arguing that the very existence of East Germany was founded on the construction of a wall between East and West Germany (Hertle, 2007). Soviet leader Kruschev was in tacit agreement with this suggestion and was further encouraged into supporting the construction of the wall when US President John F. Kennedy expressed that they would not oppose such decision (Hertle, 2007). Soon after, in August 1961, GDR leaders met, with Ulbricht in attendance; in this meeting, Ulbricht signed the order to close the border and build the wall (Hertle, 2007). Soon thereafter, police officers and the East German army started to close the border. Barbed wires were installed and fences were erected. In the years that followed, a proper concrete wall was built and later the National People’s Army as well as the Combat Groups of the Working Class was assigned to guard the wall; they were ordered to shoot anyone wanting to climb or cross the wall (Schulte, 2011). Mine fields and chain fences were even placed in order to reinforce the wall. After the wall was built, many East Germans were now effectively barred from traveling to West Germany (Dowty, 1989). The wall actually split many families; and many East Germans had trouble getting jobs. West Berlin became an isolated land in a very hostile territory (Gaddis, 2005). This did not stop them from expressing their opinions about the wall, also criticizing the US government for allowing the wall to be built (Gaddis, 2005). For the US, it believed that it could only defend West Berliners and West Germans and it was not possible for it to defend the East Berliners as well (Cattudal, 1980). The US only made polite objections to the wall, but no strong passion was seen behind its objections. The US also eventually accepted the reality of the wall and that it was something they could not change or challenge (Cattudal, 1980). The East German government claimed that the Wall was a means for them to prevent aggression from the West. But East Berliners were especially affected by the wall, especially as they noted that the wall was open to West Germans entering East Berlin, but fully closed to them (Turner, 1987). They therefore believed that the wall was built not to resist Western aggression but to prevent them from leaving their territory. The wall had various implications for both East and West Germany. As the East German government and the Soviet Union were now able to stop the defections of their people to West Germany, they were also able to re-establish their power and dominance over their territory (Pearson, 1998). In general, their economic issues in relation to the black market and the dual currency were eased. The economy of the GDP gradually developed; however, the wall itself caused major issues for the Eastern bloc, especially as the Western bloc carried out their propaganda based on the implications of the wall (Pearson, 1998). The Allied labeled the actions of the Eastern bloc as a show of tyranny, and these claims were bolstered when defectors were killed by the border guards (Pearson, 1998). The wall itself spanned about 140 kilometers and was later extended further into East Germany in 1962. The houses along the fences were burned and occupants were relocated; this earned the reputation of the area covered as the Death Strip (Burnett, 2007). The strip was covered with sand and gravel, making footsteps easier to notice and making the apprehension of defectors an easier task (Burnett, 2007). The authorities could also easily check if the guards were carrying out their tasks. Throughout the years, the Berlin Wall also evolved in its structure, from a wire fence in 1961, to a concrete wall in 1965, and finally to the Border Wall which was seen from 1975 until its fall in 1989 (Taylor, 2006). The Border wall was the most advanced wall they built and it was made up of solid concrete which effectively prevented any defectors from ramming their cars into the walls. Some parts of the wall were however made weaker in order to allow their tanks to easily ram through the wall in case a war between the factions would be declared (Gaddis, 2005). The very top of the wall included a smooth pipe and this made it even more difficult to see through the other side; mesh fencing reinforced the wall, including anti-vehicle trenches, barbed wire, dogs, bed of nails, and about 116 watchtowers and 20 bunkers (Hertle, 2007). Nine border crossings between the two territories were seen, and this allowed visits from the West Berliners and Allied personnel into East Berlin. East Berliners with permits were also allowed visits into West Berlin (Thackeray, 2004). Throughout the years, defection attempts have been seen and most of these have led to deaths, arrests, and significant injuries to the defectors. Despite these grim incidents, about 5000 individuals were able to successfully cross the wall into West Berlin (Schneider, 2005). The number of people who have died in their attempts to cross the wall has not been definitively been established, but estimates from the more reliable sources indicate it to be more than 200 deaths (Schneider, 2005). Shooting orders were issued by the East German government on defectors, however, most of the GDR officials denied giving such orders (Schneider, 2005). However, it was indeed later proven that the guards were ordered to shoot the defectors, even women and children, because they were nothing more than common criminals (Schneider, 2005). Before the wall was fortified, the escape attempts of defectors were successful, however as the more concrete versions of the wall were built, these escapes became less successful (Childs, 2001). Different methods of getting through the barrier were attempted throughout the years; in fact, even long tunnels were built under the wall in order to successfully attempt defection (Schneider, 2005). At one point, an aerial escape was even carried out. Some of these efforts proved to be successful, however with each attempt, the East German authorities reinforced the wall and their methods of prevention (Schneider, 2005). However, just as East Berlin was becoming more and more persistent in its efforts to prevent defection, it was also gaining the growing contempt of the media and of the world in general (Miller, 2000). Efforts to mitigate its impact and its actions against defectors were carried out, however, East Germany could still not eliminate the desperate air which their people were manifesting (Miller, 2000). Few West Germans would attempt crossing the wall because they feared that they may not return; so most of them with relatives on the other side did not make visits to their East German relations (Schulte, 2011). When Westerners visited their territory they were shown the best features of the Socialist state; but this did not show the true state of the country’s situation and the plight of the East Germans. Travelling into the Eastern Socialist bloc was always considered a tension-filled travel (Thackeray, 2004). Travel into East Germany presented a very oppressive look into Eastern Socialist territories. And the picture was even grimmer for the Easter Germans who were clamoring to get out of their territory and into West Germany (Pearson, 1998). In June 1987, during the 750th anniversary of Berlin, Ronald Reagan challenged Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the wall. Reagan declared that tearing down the wall would signify the greater freedom and liberties of the Eastern bloc (Pearson, 1998). Hungary later eliminated its defenses against Austria in 1989 and this allowed about 13,000 East German tourists to leave Germany through Hungary and then into Austria (Buckley, 2004). Various events followed, with Hungarians preventing border crossers from Germany, returning them to Budapest. These East Germans then sought assistance from the West German embassy and declaring that they did not want to return to East Germany (Buckley, 2004). East Germany then stopped any travel into Hungary. At this point, mass demonstrations were starting to build in East Germany (Dale, 2005). These demonstrations swelled to even bigger numbers in the days that followed. A significant number of refugees were also leaving East Germany finding their way through Hungary through Czechoslovakia (Dale, 2005). In order to ease the tensions, the East German government issued an order allowing direct exits between East and West Germany; this order was modified into allowances for private travel (Dale, 2005). Schabowski, was tasked with making such announcement, however he was not informed of the modification in the orders. When the new orders were given to him before the announcement, he was not properly informed that the orders were to take effect the following day (Buckley, 2005). Instead, he said that the order would take effect immediately. These orders were broadcast all over Germany – East and West – and the Germans all considered this to be a historic moment. They believed that their borders were now open to everyone. As the announcement was made, East Berliners soon gathered at the wall, and at its six checkout points calling for the border guards to open the gates (Buckley, 2005). The number of people gathered overwhelmed the guards who were forced to check with their superiors. These guards were then ordered to stamp the passports of the more aggressive individuals. However, thousands more were left, and these individuals were insisting that they had the right to cross because Schabowski said they could cross (Thackeray, 2004). Since the guards did not want to be responsible for any lethal force used against the gathering crowd, the guards did not have the means to stop the mass exodus of people out of East Germany. On the 9th of November, at 10:45 pm, the guards finally gave in and opened the checkpoints in order to allow the people through (Sarotte, 2009). The East Germans were met by the West Germans with flowers and champagne and much enthusiasm. A group of West Germans soon jumped on top of the wall and they were joined by other East Berliners. The celebration was widespread for both East and West Germans as they celebrated the fall of the wall (Sarotte, 2009). The demolition of the wall was started on the 9th of November and went on for weeks and months afterwards as many people joined the demolition process. The East German government soon started to clear the wall and to rebuild old roads (Walker, 2009). New border crossings were also seen. West and East Germans were also allowed visa-free travel. On the 1st of July 1989, East Germany finally accepted the West German currency and all border controls were effectively stopped (Hertle, 2007). The dismantling was still being carried out by the military and the process stretched out well into November 1991. Currently, only a few memorials and watchtowers still stand, but only as reminders of the impact of the wall (Hertle, 2007). The fall of the wall effectively led to the reunification of Germany which was officially carried out on the 3rd of October 1990 (Yancey, 1994). In many ways, the Berlin Wall also represented the communist and the democratic divide which was apparent during the end of the Second World War. It represented the Cold War between the US and the USSR (Yancey, 1994). Any attempts on the part of the West to democratize any Soviet territory was met with firm opposition on the part of USSR, and any attempt on the part of East Germans to seek access to the Western-dominated West Berlin was blocked (Yancey, 1994). In the end however, the pressure proved to be too much for the USSR and its crumbling empire. Conclusion The discussion above presents the history of the Berlin Wall which was basically built after the Second World War when Germany was divided into four blocs controlled by four different countries. Due to the desire of the Soviet Union to transform its portion into a socialist territory, more restrictions on the people were imposed. This made the people consider moving into Western territories. They left in droves and this did not sit well with East Germany and USSR and soon thereafter the wall was built. This prevented any border crossings and made firm the socialist stance over East Germany. In 1989, the fall finally fell and signified the start of the reunification of these two territories. This also signaled the beginning of the end of the Cold War between the US and the USSR. The fall led to much rejoicing for the country and for families which were split by opposing factions. References Apor, B. and Rees, A. (2008). The Sovietization of Eastern Europe: new perspectives on the postwar period. California: New Academia Publishing. Burnett, S. (2007). Ghost Strasse: Germany's East Trapped Between Past And Present. California: Black Rose Books Ltd. Buckley, W. (2004). The fall of the Berlin Wall. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons. Cate, C. (1978). The Ides of August: The Berlin Wall crisis—1961. New York City: M. Evans Childs, D. (2001). The fall of the GDR: Germany's road to unity. Longman: Pearson. Catudal, H. (1980). Kennedy and the Berlin Wall crisis. West Berlin: Berlin Verlag Dale, G. (2005). Popular protest in East Germany, 1945–1989: Judgements on the Street. New York: Routledge. Dill, M. (1970). Germany: a modern history. Michigan: University of Michigan Press. Dowty, A. (1989). Closed borders: the contemporary assault on freedom of movement. Connecticut: Yale University Press. Gaddis, J. (2005). The Cold War: A new history. New York: Penguin Press. Harrison, H. (2003). Driving the Soviets up the wall: Soviet-East German relations, 1953–1961. New Jersey: Princeton University Press. Hertle, H. (2007). The Berlin Wall. Bonn: Federal Centre for Political Education Kempe, F. (2011). Berlin 1961. New York: Penguin Group. Pearson, R. (1998). The rise and fall of the Soviet Empire. New York: Macmillan. Sarotte, M. (2009). How it went down: The little accident that toppled history. Washington Post. Retrieved 13 May 2012 from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/30/AR2009103001846.html Schneider, P. (2005). The wall jumper. London: Penguin Classics Schulte, B. (2011). The Berlin Wall. Remains of a lost border. London: Penguin Classics Taylor, F. (2006). The Berlin Wall: 13 August 1961 – 9 November 1989. New York: Bloomsbury. Thackeray, F. (2004). Events that changed Germany. California: Greenwood Publishing Group. Turner, H. (1987). The Two Germanies since 1945: East and West. Connecticut: Yale University Press. Walker, M. (2009). Did Brinkmannship Fell Berlin's Wall? Brinkmann says it did. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 13 May 2012 from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125597721400194603.html Wettig, G. (2008). Stalin and the Cold War in Europe. Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield. Yancey, D., (1994). The Reunification of Germany. New York: Lucent Books. Read More