10 Mind-Blowing Misconceptions About The Berlin Wall

What should you actually believe about one of the most iconic symbols of the Cold War?

By Chris Waugh /

One of the most iconic images and symbols of the Cold War, the Berlin Wall dominated international relations throughout the 20th Century. Europe and the globe lived on constant alert throughout the century €“ potentially one international crisis away from a nuclear-weapon led World War Three €“ and one city, Berlin, lay slap bang in the centre of any potential disagreement. Partitioned into four sectors straight after World War II €“ supposedly run independently by the Allies of Britain, France the US and the USSR €“ and then split into €œWest Berlin€ (administered by the Western Powers) and €œEast Berlin€ (controlled by the Soviets), the city was eventually physically divided when a barrier was erected in August 1961. Berlin was situated inside Soviet East Germany, but was officially declared as a €œfree city€, offering a small pocket of capitalism in a sea of socialism in the West of the city and making it a constant source of tension. However, many misconceptions about the Berlin Wall exist. Here are 10 particularly mind-blowing misconceptions of the symbol of the Cold War...