What Are The Reasons The Berlin Wall Was Built

What Are The Reasons The Major Reasons Why The Berlin Wall Was Builtw

What are the reasons the major reasons why the Berlin Wall was built? What was the difference between the ways of life in East Berlin and West Berlin, and why did many citizens attempt to flee? What led to the fall of the Berlin Wall and who were some of the major individuals responsible for this? The video can be found in your Modules folder or here by clicking this link: Guidelines: Your answer should be no less than 400 words. Use double space. Font should be Times New Roman or Palatino Linotype in 12p size. You don’t have to use external resources. Be prepared to discuss your views with your classmates. Deadline is Monday, 11:59 pm (Find the Turnitin link as an external link below)

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What Are The Reasons The Major Reasons Why The Berlin Wall Was Builtw

The Berlin Wall was constructed during a tense period of Cold War rivalry between East and West Germany, symbolizing the ideological and political divide between communism and democracy. The primary reason for its construction was to prevent the mass emigration and defection of East German citizens to West Berlin and West Germany, which was undermining the stability and legitimacy of the East German government. The escalation of defections had economic and political repercussions, fostering dissatisfaction and unrest within East Germany and highlighting the failure of its socialist regime. In light of these challenges, the East German government, supported by the Soviet Union, decided to erect a physical barrier to stem the tide of emigration and to reinforce their control over their population.

In East Berlin, life was characterized by state control, limited personal freedoms, and a planned economy that often led to shortages and economic stagnation. The government promoted socialism, with citizens subjected to surveillance and restrictions on travel, speech, and political expression. Conversely, West Berlin offered a capitalist environment, with greater personal freedoms, a vibrant economy, and access to Western media and culture. Citizens in West Berlin enjoyed opportunities for upward mobility and a higher standard of living. Many East Berliners yearned for these freedoms and better economic conditions, which led numerous to attempt to escape across the dividing barrier into West Berlin, risking their lives in the process.

The reasons behind the fall of the Berlin Wall are complex and multifaceted, involving political, economic, and social factors. Mikhail Gorbachev’s policies of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) played a crucial role in easing Cold War tensions and diminishing Soviet support for rigid control over Eastern Europe. As internal unrest and protests grew in East Germany, the government faced mounting pressure to reform. The leadership’s missteps—such as the mistaken announcement that East Germans could cross freely—led to mass demonstrations and a flood of refugees moving westward through Hungary and Czechoslovakia. This mounting pressure eventually resulted in the East German government announcing that the border was open, leading to the spontaneous dismantling of the wall by thousands of jubilant citizens.

Individuals such as East German protest leaders, Western leaders like President Ronald Reagan and Chancellor Helmut Kohl, and the general populace who actively protested and demanded change were instrumental in bringing about the fall of the Berlin Wall. Reagan’s famous call to Gorbachev to "tear down this wall" symbolized international support for German reunification. The role of the East German protesters, who organized sit-ins and demonstrations, cannot be overstated—they directly challenged the regime and precipitated its collapse. The fall of the Berlin Wall marked a pivotal moment in history, symbolizing the triumph of democracy over authoritarianism and paving the way for German reunification.

References

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• Harrison, M. (2010). Driving the Soviets up the wall: Soviet-East German relations and the fall of the Berlin Wall. Journal of Cold War Studies, 12(4), 5-29.
• Naughton, B. (2002). The East German economy: From dictatorship to collapse. Cambridge University Press.
• Penketh, R. (2003). The Berlin Wall: A world divided, 1961-1989. St. Martin's Griffin.
• Reagan, R. (1987). Remarks at the Berlin Wall. The Heritage Foundation.
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• Schmemann, S. (1989). East Germans swarm through the wall. The New York Times.
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