How did Berlin serve as a symbol in the United States during the Cold War?

Berlin became a prominent symbol during the Cold War as it epitomized the stark divide between democracy and totalitarianism. The city was physically and ideologically split between East Berlin, which was under Soviet control and represented communist governance, and West Berlin, which embodied democratic ideals supported by Western nations, particularly the United States. The Berlin Wall, constructed in 1961, served as a literal and metaphorical barrier, highlighting the struggles between these two competing ideologies.

This division of Berlin was not just a local issue but had significant implications for international relations, as it was viewed as the frontline in the broader conflict between the capitalist West and the communist East. Events such as the Berlin Airlift in 1948-49, where the West supplied West Berliners in response to a Soviet blockade, reinforced this symbolism by showcasing Western commitment to defending democracy against totalitarianism. Thus, it became a powerful representation of the broader ideological battle that characterized the Cold War.