The Berlin Wall Serves as Important Reminder of Cold War Crises - Berlin, Germany
What is It?- Visitors to Germany's capital of Berlin are often struck by the cosmopolitan flair and vibrant life of the city. Magnificent buildings and institutions that bring to life Germany's Imperial age such as the Reichstag historic parliament building, the Pergamon Museum's antiquity and art collections, and the Charlottesburg Palace further enhance this impression. It can be difficult today to envision the many tumultuous events which took place in Berlin during the 20th century. Nevertheless, visitors with an interest in history are often most taken by the remnants and relics of the Berlin Wall which serve as an important reminder of the Cold War tension that divided not only East and West Germany, but most of the world for decades.
History of the Berlin Wall- The future disposition of Germany and its territory was a subject of dispute among the victorious Allied Nations at the end of World War II. In June 1945, the United States, Great Britain, and France were given control of the western part of the Germany as an occupation zone, while the Soviet Union took the eastern sector. In addition, the capital of Berlin located 100 miles deep within the Soviet zone was itself split into four sections.
Berlin's unusual status created a logistical and control nightmare, and in 1948 the Soviets attempted to force the Western allies out of the city by instituting a blockade. A heroic resupply effort known as the Berlin Airlift eventually broke the blockade within a year. However, by the early 1960s the communist East Germany faced a new problem because of the massive defection of tens of thousands of their citizens into the West German sector of Berlin. In response, the East German government began building a huge wall made of barbed wire and concrete which was patrolled by East German troops. The purpose was to stop the defections and prohibit commerce between the two sides except at three designated checkpoints
Over the next 28 years the 13-ft high wall was expanded to include a "No Man's land", 293 watchtowers, 57 bunkers, and elaborate alarm systems. An estimated 5,000 people still managed to tunnel under, crawl or fly over, or crash through to freedom in the west, but thousands of others were killed or captured in efforts to leave East Germany. Eventually, the glasnost policies of Premier Mikhail Gorbachev supporting greater openness in the Soviet sphere, coupled with political pressure from U.S. President Ronald Reagan and other Western leaders, forced the East German government to allow routine border crossings on November 9, 1989. Within days, the gates were forced opened and people began to visit West Berlin and chop down the wall themselves by hand or machine. In June 1990 the government accepted the inevitable and began tearing down the rest of the wall. These historic events in Berlin foreshadowed not only the reunification of Germany as a nation, but the subsequent demise of the Soviet Union.
What You Will See Here- There are many ways in which visitors can experience the Berlin Wall. Perhaps the most popular one is the East Side Gallery which is an intact section of the wall that extends for almost a mile along the Spree River. This section is known for its colorful paintings, murals, and graffiti left behind by jubilant citizens and over 100 city artists who experienced the fall of the wall and expressed their personal sentiments there for posterity. A multimedia museum added at the south end of the Gallery in 2016 includes personal memories of those days. A second way to explore the wall is to visit the official Berlin Wall Memorial situated on historic Bernauer Strasse which marks the former border strip between the two parts of the city. The memorial grounds include outdoor exhibits on the background of the city's division, a viewing platform, a Documentation Center with poignant information on the "victims of communist tyranny", and small segments of the wall.
Third, outdoor enthusiasts may enjoy taking a hike or a bike ride on the Berlin Wall Trail which is divided into 14 sections between four and thirteen miles long. The trail traces the course of the former East German border fortifications and patrol road around West Berlin. Along the way you can see segments of the wall, parkland, and displays about significant events that occurred there.
Interesting Fact- American soldiers faced off with their Soviet counterparts for decades at Checkpoint Charlie. Tensions were especially high at this location during military crises between the two superpowers or when escape attempts occurred. The American outpost has been preserved as a reminder of the precarious relationship that once divided the two parts of Germany and their rival camps.
When to Go - Berlin has pleasant weather beginning in late April when the cherry blossoms come out in city parks until late September. The high temperatures during these months range from 60° to the high 70s with sporadic rain. However, air conditioning is not common in Berlin so visitors will feel some humidity when touring during the summer. It turns noticeably cooler in October and cold weather with temperatures around freezing continue from December to March.
How to Get Here - There are a few direct flights to Berlin from the United States. Lufthansa and United Airlines are providing shared direct service from New York, and Delta recently renewed direct flights from New York to Berlin. Flying from other U.S. locations requires you to make a connection in New York or to fly into an oversea hub like Paris, London or Frankfurt.