The Cold War, which lasted more than 40 years, was a battle between two ideologies. The Berlin Wall was a structure that was the most recognizable symbol that symbolized the struggle between East and West. The Cold War finally ended with the fall of the Berlin Wall.
When World War II ended, Nazi Germany was divided into four specific zones of occupation, which from then on were controlled by Allied powers, including British, French, Russian and American. The city of Berlin was also divided into four zones controlled by four Allied members. When the Cold War began in 1949, the Soviets formed a new state called the German Democratic Republic (GDR) that included Americans, while the French consolidated their regions and formed a state called West Germany including West Britain.
The two countries quickly diverged as they were based on different ideologies. West Germany’s ideology was based on democratic government and the West’s free market system. The GDR was based on communist ideology and a planned economy based on the Soviet model. umzug berlin After a short period of a few years, when each country was formed, there was great variation in the quality of style and lifestyle. West Germany and West Berlin became quite prosperous in the early 1950s, and East Berlin and East Germany lagged behind. Many in East Germany and East Berlin began to emigrate.
Many living in the eastern countries crossed the borders into East and West Berlin to flee Sovietization and Joseph Stalin. In the early 1950s there was no natural border between East and West Berlin and traffic moved freely between the cities. During this time, many East Berliners commuted back and forth between the border. Over time, the exodus to the West prompted the Soviet Union and East Germany to take action.
In the 1950s almost a million citizens left the GDR for the west. It caused a huge brain drain as most people were highly skilled and educated.
In the early 1950s, the East-West Berlin border could be crossed without any problems. When the Soviets and Eastern Bloc countries, including East Germany, began cracking down on emigration, a meeting between the leaders of East Germany and Stalin took place on April 1, 1952. Stalin urged East Germans to quickly build the border and create a demarcation line between East and West Germany, a border that East Germans will guard with their lives.
As a result of the meeting, the border between East and West Germany was closed and a barbed wire fence was erected. With the increase in restrictions, many Eastern Bloc citizens and East Germans feared further tightening and began to emigrate.
In 1956, as emigration continued on a large scale under the guise of family visits, the GDR suspended all travel to the West. Since the Berlin border was administered by the four occupying powers, many East Germans and Eastern Bloc citizens found their way west through Berlin. By the end of the 1950s, almost 90% of emigrants had crossed the border near Berlin. Since there was no natural border and there were even underground connections to East Berlin, Berlin was considered by many to be the most practical way to cross into West Germany.
The emigration problem has wreaked havoc not only on East Germany but also on the Eastern Bloc countries for more than a decade. In 1961, the border issue came to a head and on August 12, 1961, Walter Ulbricht, First Secretary of the Socialist Party and East German State Council Chairman, closed the border and erected a wall to separate East and West Berlin.
Construction of the Wall began at midnight on Sunday August 13, 1961. The Berlin Wall was built inside East Berlin and East Germany to ensure that none of the Allied borders were breached. On August 15, the laying of the concrete slabs of the Berlin Wall began.
When the Berlin Wall was being built, many GDR citizens tried to defect by climbing over the wall. Around 5,000 people managed to escape to West Berlin while the Wall was being built. Many people also died trying to cross the wall. As one of the many symbols of Communism, it is no surprise that with the decline and eventual end of the Soviet Union and Communism came the destruction of the Berlin Wall.
On November 9, 1989, Krenz decided to allow emigration directly across the GDR border to the West. The new border crossing regulations should be implemented on November 10 to give border guards enough time to prepare. From November 9, the Berlin Wall was quickly knocked down with sledgehammers, construction tools, etc. On June 13, 1990, the official dismantling of the Berlin Wall began. Both the GDR and the Federal Republic of Germany agreed on reunification. The reunion officially took place on October 3, 1990.
Berlin – budget destination for everyone
Forget expensive Munich or overly low-key Hamburg when it comes to trips to Germany; The capital is full of unique places, lively residents and endless entertainment. And all this at a price that every budget can afford.
Berliners can proudly say that their city has a background like any other in the world. Divided in two by a wall, just like all of Germany after World War II, three different nations still ruled the western side of the city.
When the Wall came down in 1989, even more people from the eastern sector, the communist sector, moved to other cities in Germany, gave up their housing and froze the prices of most rents.
In addition, Berlin is a hotspot for students and this clearly contributes to the fact that it is a metropolis that is cheaper than any other you can imagine. Rent and accommodation, transport and expenses are more than reasonable these days.
Arrangements
EasyJet and Ryanair, the two leading low-cost airlines, fly to Berlin daily from London. The three airports that exist in Berlin are all well connected to the city center, far from the hustle and bustle that most big cities impose on you.
Find one of the nice and cheap bed and breakfasts that Berlin welcomes you with. The overall quality and price is quite acceptable, but stay in the eastern part of the city, in districts like Friedrischain, Kreutzberg or Prenzlauer Berg if you’re looking for the lowest prices and restaurants.
In fact, thanks to its ever-present Turkish community, Berlin offers a huge amount of affordable pizzerias, restaurants and the most traditional kebabs one could wish for.
Another great option on site is to buy a Mensacard, which entitles you to eat in the canteens of the Humboldt University. The food is just great and typically German and for just under 4 € you can fill your stomach.
Highlights
Cubbing. Berlin hardly finds any competition in this field anywhere in the world. An impressive range of clubs of all types, with mostly no closing times, guaranteeing endless fun for the bravest. From outstanding clubs like Watergate with its own pier or Weekend on the 13th floor to renowned after-hours like Bar 25 or the Panorama Bar, where you can party for over 40 hours at a time when the garden is open.
Creativity. Underground culture flies high in Berlin. When it comes to street art, this city has a lot to say. Admire what renowned artists from around the world have expressed through their paintings on the wall at the open-air East Side Gallery. After this mild warm-up, you can move on to Kunsthaus Tacheles to check out each of the five floors of this quirky and incomparable building; modern art exhibitions and extraordinary graffiti everywhere.
Shopping. Whatever you like, Berlin has you covered. From prestigious stores selling cutting-edge streetwear to huge department stores like Kartstadt Sport for sports enthusiasts. All the high street brands you can imagine are also strongly represented in Berlin.
Host. Germans are language nuts, so don’t be surprised if they’re fluent in Spanish or French as well as impeccable English as a third language. The helpful, friendly and well mannered locals will exceed your expectations.
A comprehensive day tour
Start the day around Charlottenburg with a visit to the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, a towering church that partially survived the bombing, before later entering the nearby Zoo Berlin. Europe’s number one and the equally great animal park (if you prefer to travel to the east of the city) meet the highest demands on all levels.
Head towards Mitte where you can visit Berlin’s most famous sights. The Reichstag is a recommended starting point for thinking in daylight. Then you will encounter the Victory Column and its nearly 300 steps, although the vantage point is priceless.
Next to it, stroll along the vast Tiergarten until you reach the impressive Brandenburg Gate, then relax peacefully in the nearby rooms of silence where you could hear the sound of a pin.
After the well-deserved rest, visit the labyrinthine Jewish Cemetery, which is not what you would expect from a cemetery, and also Postdamer Platz with its unique architecture. Your next stop might be Museum Island, which is home to five different museums, all of which are worth visiting. Pick the ones you like and then make your way towards Alexander Platz, without skipping the Red Tow Hall or the majestic Berliner Dom along the way.