FALL OF BERLIN WALL

Prologue

Berlin Wall holds an important place in history. It was an offspring of cold war which separated Germany for many years. Even after unification it took many years for Germany to accept it.

What is BERLIN WALL?

Separation between East and West Germany will fell in 1989.

History of Berlin Wall:

Formed after Second World War Allied Powers divided Germany into four zones each occupied by USA France Soviet

Union and Japan as per the Potsdam Agreement. Berlin which was the capital city also divided in four zones. Relation between Soviet Union and other powers disintegrated during Cold War era. West Germany by allies (USA France Soviet Union and Japan) was federal republic

whereas East Germany by Soviet Union was German Democratic Republic.

. Overview of Capitalist and Socialist economy:

Capitalist economy is the one that is owned and operated for the purpose of profit whereas in socialist economy emphasis on profit being distributed among the society or workforce in addition to receiving a wage.

In Capitalist economy the accumulation of capital drives economic activity - the need to continuously produce profits and reinvest this profit into the economy whereas in Socialist economy economic activity and production especially are adjusted to meet human needs and economic demands.

Formation of Berlin Wall:

On 1 April 1952, East German leaders met the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in Moscow; during the discussions Stalin's foreign minister Vyacheslav Molotov proposed that the East Germans should introduce a system of passes for visits of West Berlin residents to the territory of East Berlin.

Demarcation line was drawn between West Germany and East Germany termed as German border.

On 11 December 1957, East Germany introduced a new passport law that reduced the overall number of refugees leaving Eastern Germany.

On 1 August 1961 , it was Nikita Khrushchev from whom the initiative for the construction of the wall came.

With the closing of the inner German border officially in 1952, the border in Berlin remained considerably more accessible then because it was administered by all four occupying powers.

Repressive living conditions in East Germany due to communist society resulting in mass exodus of people in 1960’s.

As a result Soviet Union tried to bring West Germany under its control. It even tried to threaten USA on this issue but it was determined to defend West Germany.

On 13 August 1961 wall was erected late night when everyone was sleeping known as Berlin Wall.

Berlin Wall: 13 August 1931

Aftereffects of Berlin Wall:

No longer could East Berliners cross the border for operas, plays, soccer games, etc. No longer could the approximately 60,000 commuters head to West Berlin for well-paying jobs. No longer could families, friends, and lovers cross the border to meet their loved ones.

Wall was over 100 miles. The houses contained between the fences were razed and the inhabitants relocated, thus

establishing what later became known as the Death Strip. There were four versions of wall.: Wire fence (1961) Improved wire fence (1962–1965) Concrete wall (1965–1975) Grenzmauer 75 (Border Wall 75) (1975–1989)

Various checkpoints were made at the crossing of Berlin wall. Among them most famous was checkpoint Charlie which was now a tourist destination.

Stalemate at Charlie Point Checkpoint Charlie

Fall Of Berlin Wall:

As Communism began to falter in Poland Hungary Czechoslovakia in 1988 and 1989 new exodus points opened to East Germans who wanted to flee

On Nov 9 1989 an official statement announced borders were open

People gathered to witness one of the most celebrated moment in history.

German State reunified on October 3 1990.

Bibliography:

1. history1900s.com2. history.com3. Images: google.com

Name: Naina Agarwal