Germany is rightfully the most well-developed and developed country in all plans in Europe. G. Berlin, which is the capital, is considered a city with a very mixed and complex history. And one of its most significant periods is the time period during which the capital was divided into two parts. That is, to East and West Berlin.
The beginning of the story
After the Second World War ended, the occupation authorities of the western part of the capital began to act confidently towards the split of Berlin into two parts. A lot has been done for this. For example, the French, English and American sectors are drawn into the political as well as the economic system of the western part of the country. For a long time, West Berlin played a special role in the struggle that went against the GDR, as well as many other countries of the socialist regime. More than once, NATO members have provoked West Berlin into conflict, and this has borne fruit. To be more precise, all this led to an aggravation of relations between countries and the international situation as a whole. As a result of this, in the year 1961, at the end of summer, the GDR government decided to strengthen control and protection over this district. As a result, the borders of West Berlin tightened and a border regime was introduced.
East Berlin
This topic cannot be ignored. Indeed, at that time West and East Berlin existed. What should be said about the latter? The integration of East Berlin in the GDR dates from the period 1948-1952. He was in economic union with other lands of the occupation zone. But then they united in the German Democratic Republic, and East Berlin became a single union with it, thus obtaining the right to elect deputies to the Chamber of Lands, as well as to the People’s Chamber. The laws adopted by the parliament did not enter into force only after the City Assembly approved them. Actually, the government, parliament, the General Prosecutor's Office, and also the Supreme Court were located in East Berlin. Interestingly, the East Berlin constitution was adopted only in 1990, on April 23rd. Until that moment, its role was played by the Interim Constitution of Greater Berlin.
Development of events
In 1953, an anti-government mass rally took place in East Berlin. But it was quickly suppressed by the Soviet troops, as this was required by the leadership of the GDR. Then West Berlin became literally a "shop window", the center of the entire district. It was really a city with a good standard of living at that time, with democratic freedom and social protection. At that time, the "temporary capital" of Germany designated the city of Bonn. If we talk about the GDR, then she placed her capital in the Eastern District, respectively. The confrontation intensified, and in 1961 the construction of the Berlin Wall began. The initiative of this project was put by the socialist GDR. Citizens from one side to the other could be allowed only through specially constructed points for this. There, people passed control, after which they were either allowed to cross the border or not.
Relations with Germany
In 1972, a quadripartite agreement entered into force between the USSR, France, Great Britain and the United States and several agreements relating to a number of issues related to Germany, the GDR and the Senate directly, which controlled West Berlin. After that, the tense atmosphere, which had already become the norm for the vicinity of the city, subsided. This agreement allowed to maintain good relations between West Berlin and Germany, moreover, according to this document they should even have developed. However, on one condition - if the sectors are still considered separate from the Federal Republic. This could be called a kind of compromise.
Politics
A few words should be said about the political structure of West Berlin. The supreme authority was the Chamber of Deputies, and the executive was performed by the Senate, the head of which was the ruling burgomaster. It should also be noted that they were controlled by the occupation authorities. If we talk about political parties, the first thing I would like to mention is social democratic, free and Christian. They were considered land organizations of certain parties of the Federal Republic. It is impossible not to mention the socialist united party, in other words, Marxist-Leninist. An association of German trade unions and many other organizations also operated in West Berlin.
Development and prosperity
East and West Berlin (a map of the old city clearly shows how the present capital was divided) were really different districts, and each of them lived its own life. A huge number of plans began to appear regarding the use of the territory of West Berlin, ideas about improving the infrastructure. Intensively developed a plan for improvement and the eastern part. Entire concepts began to appear, designed for further development prospects. The roads were also reconstructed. There was a very serious approach to this. For example, the ring road was connected via highways with the central part. A system of representative streets has emerged. A district called Kurfürstendamm was considered a single business center. So the Eastern and Western parts of the present capital of Germany developed before the fall of the Berlin Wall. And this happened recently - only in 1989, again at the initiative of the GDR, due to the fact that the USSR refused to interfere in the political issues of the Republic.
Nowadays
The Berlin Wall fell relatively recently, as already mentioned, and it is probably for this reason that the Eastern and Western parts of the capital are significantly different from each other. Everything is different: from the color of the lanterns to the architecture. The western part is rich in the most striking sights of the city of Berlin. The photos, which depict some of them, are definitely inspiring to study the history of this city. So, for example, Tiergarten Park and the Victory Column should be noted with attention. Or the Bellevue Palace, which is located in a picturesque park area. At the moment, it is considered a presidential residence.
Architecture and Cultural Heritage
The architecture of West Berlin cannot but attract attention. Charlottenburg Palace is considered to be the pearl and property of the capital. Its construction dates back to the 17th century for the wife of Frederick III, Sophia-Charlotte. And, of course, the Reichstag sparkling with magnificence. He was ordered to build by King William at the end of the 19th century (to be more precise, in 1884). Paul Valotta was involved in the creation of the architectural plan, and as a result, the building was erected. However, in 1933 they set it on fire. But after World War II ended, the Reichstag was reconstructed. East Berlin is more modern in architectural terms, but this is precisely what is the highlight of the capital. A harmonious combination of old buildings and modern attractions is what attracts people from all over the world to this city. Moreover, both ordinary tourists and historians, archaeologists, as well as other personalities who consider the city of Berlin to be a real heritage. The photos that exist today cannot fully convey the power of the capital, but it is quite possible to give an idea of it.