Posted: January 18th, 2023

Why did it take so long for Berlin Wall to fall?

Why did it take so long for Berlin Wall to fall?
The Berlin Wall, which separated East and West Berlin, stood for 28 years before it finally fell in November 1989. The fall of the wall was a significant event that marked the end of the Cold War and the reunification of Germany. However, the question remains as to why it took so long for the wall to fall.
A major reasons why it took so long for the Berlin Wall to fall was due to the political climate of the Cold War. The wall was built in 1961 as a means to prevent the mass emigration of East Germans to West Germany. This was done in order to maintain the Soviet-controlled East German government’s control over its population. The wall was seen as a symbol of the divide between capitalist West and communist East, and both sides were determined to maintain their respective ideologies.
Another reason for the wall’s longevity was due to the fear of a potential war. The wall was a physical representation of the divide between the Soviet Union and the Western powers, and both sides were fearful of the potential consequences of breaching it. The wall also served as a deterrent to potential aggression, as it would have been difficult for either side to launch an attack without first breaching the wall. This made both sides hesitant to make the first move, and it took a change in the political climate to ultimately bring about the wall’s fall.
Additionally, the economic situation in East Germany also played a role in the wall’s longevity. The East German government was dependent on the Soviet Union for economic aid and support, and the government was unable to implement the economic reforms necessary to improve the lives of its citizens. This led to a lack of popular support for the government and made it difficult for them to make the necessary changes to bring about the wall’s fall.
Furthermore, The East German government also used heavy propaganda and strict control over the media to silence dissent and maintain control over the population, which made it difficult for opposition groups to organize and voice their dissent. The government also used repression and intimidation tactics to silence any potential opposition and maintain control over the population.
The fall of the Berlin Wall was ultimately brought about by a combination of factors, including the changing political climate of the Cold War, the increasing pressure from the East German population for change, and the inability of the East German government to implement necessary economic reforms. The key moment came in 1989 when the Soviet Union, under the leadership of Mikhail Gorbachev, began implementing policies of glasnost and perestroika, which led to a loosening of Soviet control over Eastern Europe and the eventual fall of the Berlin Wall.
The Berlin Wall stood for 28 years due to a complex set of factors, including the political climate of the Cold War, fear of potential war, economic factors, and the East German government’s use of repression and control over the media. It took a change in the political climate, specifically the policies of glasnost and perestroika implemented by Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, to ultimately bring about the fall of the wall.

Works Cited
“Berlin Wall.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, www.history.com/topics/cold-war/berlin-wall.
“Why Did the Berlin Wall Fall?” The New York Times, The New York Times, 9 Nov. 2009, learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/09/why-did-the-berlin-