Ep 2. Declassified: Rise And Fall Of The Wall

The Cold War season 1 episode 2, titled "Declassified: Rise And Fall Of The Wall," delves into the history of the Berlin Wall and its significance during the Cold War. The episode features interviews with prominent individuals who were directly involved in the construction and demolition of the wall, as well as historians who provide context for the events of that time.

The viewer is taken on a journey back in time to the post-World War II era when Germany was divided into four zones of occupation, each controlled by one of the Allied powers. The episode explains how tensions simmered between the Soviet Union and the Western powers over the issue of a reunified Germany, with the former wanting to keep its sphere of influence in Eastern Europe intact.

The episode goes into great detail about the political climate that led to the construction of the wall in 1961. It examines the reasons why the Soviet Union wanted to erect a physical barrier to prevent East Germans from fleeing to the West, and the fear that the United States and its allies would use West Berlin as a launching pad for a nuclear strike against the Soviet Union.

The viewer learns how the wall grew from a simple barbed-wire fence to a heavily fortified concrete barrier, complete with watchtowers, guard dogs, and minefields. The episode explains how the wall became a symbol of the ideological division between East and West, and how it was seen by many in the East as a betrayal of the socialist ideals that the Soviet Union purported to support.

Throughout the episode, the viewer is introduced to a cast of characters who provide personal accounts of their experiences with the wall. We hear from an East German border guard who defected to the West, as well as a West Berlin resident who dug a tunnel to help family members escape the East. These firsthand accounts add a human element to the story, bringing to life the struggles faced by those who lived on either side of the wall.

The episode also explores the various attempts made by Western governments to undermine the wall, including President Reagan's famous "Tear down this wall!" speech in 1987. The viewer is given a sense of the optimism and hope that existed at the time, and the belief that the division between East and West could be overcome.

In the final part of the episode, the viewer learns about the events that led to the fall of the wall in 1989. The episode explains how a combination of internal pressures within the Soviet Union and popular protests in East Germany ultimately led to the demolition of the wall and the reunification of Germany.

Overall, "Declassified: Rise And Fall Of The Wall" is a fascinating exploration of one of the defining events of the Cold War. Through its mix of historical analysis and personal accounts, the episode provides a nuanced view of the political, social, and cultural factors that shaped the construction and ultimate demolition of the Berlin Wall.