How Did The Warsaw Pact Contribute To The Rise Of The Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall is one of the most well-known symbols of the Cold War, physically representing the battle between communism and capitalism. Associated with it is an explanation as to why the communist system had a need to control what came in and out of its land. Building a literal wall through the city of Berlin, Germany, seemed to be one of their attempts to keep everything under their control. While the wall started out as a rather innocent border between territories, it eventually escalated into a nearly impenetrable barrier between families and friends alike. This division of a once united city started forming after the end of World War Two; regions began taking sides with one economic system over the over, bringing the rivalry between capitalism and communism into light.

When Germany lost World War Two in 1945, its territories were separated in order to prevent the country from making war again. Berlin was divided amongst the Allies; the Soviets assumed control over the eastern part, while the others took the western side. Eventually, Western Germany joined the North American Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1955, allowing it to gain more military strength. The Soviet Union took this as a threat, and in the same year, formed alliances with the other Eastern European nations through the Warsaw Pact. Of course, East Germany was included in this pact. This was, perhaps, the official action taken to proclaim Europe's division, for each side was now prepared to fight against the other if need be. The Iron Curtain was in place, and in the eastern region, communists were ready to maintain power over what they