Once erected, the Berlin Wall caused panic in the city of Berlin, producing negative immediate impacts as friends and families were separated between the East and West. However, in the long run, the Berlin Wall was a good option, as the GDR’s economic problems were relieved and a war was avoided.
Negative Impacts
The negative effects of the rise of the Berlin Wall came in the short term, as it caused many families hardship, the westerners viewing it as a means of preventing the people of East Berlin from entering the West. Many East Berliners were also cut off from their jobs. Professor of Modern History, Corey Ross, makes clear the negative effects the Wall had on Berlin: “The city passed through stages of grief, denial, disbelief, rage, frustration, depression, and ultimately, resignation” (Corey Ross, 2002, pg 367). Willy Brandt, German Statesmen and Politician, expressed his concern for the situation, voicing “One has to keep in mind the countless human tragedies that played out in these days. Through the middle of the city, where several thousand connections existed daily, despite administrative division, the concrete pillars were driven into the border, which was expanded like a Chinese Wall” (Willy Brandt, 1961). West Berliners demonstrated against the wall and Brandt led the criticism against the United States who felt had failed to respond. The panic turned into desperation, as many escape attempts were made within the first month, 600 people managing to get to West Berlin using methods such as creeping under fences or swimming canals. However, as time went by, escape attempts became more dangerous and difficult - many people were killed trying to cross the wall.
Positive Impacts
For the East, the Wall was a barrier to prosperity, preserving the strong totalitarian ideals and preventing the influence of democratic ones. For the West, it was a symbol of physical separation from these totalitarian ideals. The East German government claimed that the wall was an ‘anti-fascist protection barrier’ intended to discourage aggression from the West. Over time, the Wall and division of Berlin became part of everyday life. Many people were able to come to terms with the circumstances established by the rise of the Berlin Wall. Historian Thomas Flemming highlights the fact that Berlin was soon able to get used to the Wall, expressing “Gradually the iron grip was released and when the economic situation and standard of living began to slowly improve from 1963/64 onwards, many people in the GDR were bale to come to terms with their circumstances more easily” (Thomas Flemming, 2011, pg 22-23). After all, the loss of skilled workers, professionals and intellectuals that threatened to destroy the economic viability of East Germany was put to rest with the rise of the Wall, preventing the flood of people from East to West Berlin. The National Archives and Records Administration states about the prospect of war that “The Wall ultimately could’ve prevented a war” (CIA, 2001), being another good outcome of the Wall. In the long run, the Berlin Wall created desire for a democracy in East Germany, as the success of the West without Soviet influence was tempting. In an interview after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Margaret Thatcher expressed that “…they (the East) realise that there is going to be a democracy…” (Margaret Thatcher, 1989). The rise of the Berlin Wall’s negative impacts came straight after it was built, as the positive impacts became known after Berliners were adjusted to the Wall.