The Berlin Wall's Influence on Germany’s Modern Political Landscape

Division and Reunification

Built by East Germany starting August 13, 1961, until its opening on November 9, 1989, and under heavy surveillance throughout, the Berlin Wall was a monument to the Cold War. Families and communities were torn apart to the extent that entire societies evolved differently, and these differences still influence Germany today. The Wall's secrets were made to “contain” Western influence as well as stem the outflow of emigrants from East Germany (PDXScholar, n.d.). The Brolly London concluded that the fall of the Berlin Wall was a “turning point”, which led to the October 3, 1990, Reunification of Germany, and the new status of Germany and Europe. (Brolly London, n.d.)

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Political Preferences

Yet, the absence of a physical barrier has not eliminated the psychological separation, termed the 'wall in the head' (Knight, K. R., 2019). This phenomenon correlates to the different mental and political frameworks between East and West Germany. Research shows that some East Germans have a lower level of satisfaction with democracy compared to their West German counterparts (Knight, K. R., 2019). East German voters have shown a higher tendency than their West German counterparts to support political extremism on both sides of the political spectrum. East Germany generated a considerable amount of support for the AfD party, a right-wing, anti-immigrant movement. Such a pattern indicates the intense consequences of the separation as well as the persistent problems in merging different political cultures.

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Economic and Social Differences

The economic effects of the reunification are considerable. Historically, the region known as East Germany, encountered considerable challenges when transitioning from a government-run economy to one where businesses operate freely. As a result of this, the region still struggles with much higher unemployment and poverty rates compared to the West. The average unemployment rate in the East and the West in 2018 was 6.9% and 4.8% respectively. East Germany’s per capita gross domestic product — a country’s total economic output divided by the number of people living there —was also considerably lower, standing at €32,108 compared to the West at €42,971 (History Stack Exchange, 2015). These economic inequalities, and increasing social strife, has resulted in a widespread feeling of discontent amongst the population in the East. The blending of the different cultural traditions of East and West Germany has been a continuing and expansive effort to overcome the cultural gaps and build a shared national identity. (Eurostat, 2025)

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National Identity and Memorials

Germany’s perception of its national identity is deeply influenced by the legacy of the Berlin Wall. The western part of the country is still criticised for ‘colonising’ East Germany, even though it lost the Berlin Wall and the rest of the country to authoritarianism (Thomas Fazi, 2024). This criticism refers to the memories and identity of a unified Germany. 

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The memorials and museums in Berlin encourage the public to think of the sacrifices made for freedom and unity. These policies encourage citizens to engage with history to reflect on what the future may hold. The Berlin Wall has become a canvas for paintings celebrating its destruction rather than a symbol of division (Defrance, C., 2020).

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Impact on International Relations

On an international level, the fall of the Berlin Wall led to much more focused policy making. It marked the completion of the Cold War, and was a product of that war’s ending (and with it the post-1945 dual world order between America and the Soviet Union). This change altered the position of Germany in European politics, leading to new power dynamics and political groupings. Additionally, the fall of the wall facilitated deeper European integration — more countries in Europe are working together — with the European Union expanding eastward and Germany evolving from a divided nation into a leading force in Europe (Brolly London, n.d.)

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However, the construction of the wall in 1961 heightened tensions between the Soviet Union and Western powers, disrupting trade patterns and reshaping world political alliances (PDXScholar, n.d.). This historical phenomenon continues affecting present-day relations in Europe, for the political and economic interactions between Eastern and Western nations are offspring of division. German economic imbalances and social sentiments serve as a testament to how age-old divisions shape modern identities and alliances within the European Union. 

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In conclusion, the Berlin Wall's legacy continues to shape Germany's political landscape. Its impact on political attitudes, economic conditions, and national identity remains evident. The wall serves as a potent reminder of the past, emphasising the importance of unity, freedom, and the ongoing efforts required to address the divisions that persist in German society (Hohensee N., n.d.). Despite considerable progress, the "wall in the head" persists, underscoring the long-term repercussions of Germany's division (Knight, K. R., 2019).

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Sources:

A, M. (2019, May 9). East German Perspectives: The Berlin Wall and its Evolution as Cultural Heritage. Tortoise – A Journal of Writing Pedagogy - Princeton University. https://tortoise.princeton.edu/2019/05/09/east-german-perspectives-the-berlin-wall-and-its-evolution-as-cultural-heritage/ 

 

Berlin Wall | Definition, Length, & Facts. (2025, August 31). Britannica. Retrieved September 19, 2025, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Berlin-Wall 

 

Brolly London. (n.d.). The Fall of the Berlin Wall: Its Causes and Consequences. Brolly London. https://journals.lapub.co.uk/index.php/brolly/article/view/1308 

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Defrance, C. (2020, June 22). The Berlin Wall. Digital Encyclopedia of European History. https://ehne.fr/en/encyclopedia/themes/wars-and-memories/representations-war/berlin-wall 

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Eurostat. (2025, July 10). GDP per capita in PPS. Eurostat. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-datasets/-/tec00114 

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Fazi, T. (2024, November 11). The fall of the Berlin Wall: how West Germany colonised East Germany. Thomaz Fazi. https://www.thomasfazi.com/p/the-fall-of-the-berlin-wall-how-west 

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Hohensee, N. (n.d.). Smarthistory – The Berlin Wall as a political symbol. Smarthistory. Retrieved September 19, 2025, from https://smarthistory.org/the-berlin-wall/ 

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Knight, K. R. (2019, November 8). The Complicated Legacy of the Berlin Wall's Fall. Tufts Now. Retrieved September 19, 2025, from https://now.tufts.edu/2019/11/08/complicated-legacy-berlin-walls-fall 

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PDXScholar. (n.d.). The Origin and Impact of the Berlin Wall. PDXScholar. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?filename=14&article=1004&context=geographyed_instructional&type=additional 

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Stack Exchange. (2015, November). Effects of the Berlin Wall on modern-day Germany. Stack Exchange. https://history.stackexchange.com/questions/26361/effects-of-the-berlin-wall-on-modern-day-germany