Berlin Wall as a border and a frontline during the Cold War

Aleksandra Trzcielińska-Polus

University of Opole, Institute of Political Science
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2610-5639

Abstract

The main aim of the article is to present the circumstances under which Berlin Wall was constructed, and then the functions performed by the Wall during the Cold War. The Berlin Wall was erected in 1961 and was the effect of the conflict between the USSR and the Western Allies. The GDR government was interested in the Wall construction since it wanted to stop the emigration of people from East Germany to West Berlin and then to the Federal Republic of Germany. After 2015, walls are being built on the borders of many European states in order to prevent the immigrants, particularly illegal one. In this very context, it is worth considering various functions of the Berlin Wall, including political function, strategic function, economic function, social function, symbolic function and culture-creating one. On the bases of above-mentioned functions, one can ruminate on the consequences of the Berlin Wall construction. Berlin Wall undoubtedly contributed to the deterioration of the situation in both East Berlin and East Germany, and the personal tragedies of many families. However, the consequences of its existence had also an impact on the situation in Europe and even in the world.

Keywords:

Berlin Wall, border, Cold War, functions of the border