Nicholas Zilhaver

Professor Smith

ENGL 101

10/17/16

In Insight Into The Human Condition As Explored By The Berlin Crisis

Over the relatively insignificant span of time mankind has slewed about the earth, conflict and division typically spawned from differences of opinion, have been a timeless, universal, and critical theme regarding all aspects of humanity. Nature in of itself is chaotic, feral, yet ordered. Watching a wolf devour a hare simply out of hunger and bloodlust may be shocking to watch, however in the grand scheme of life, it is a necessary principle to preserving life. In the depths of our depravity we relate to nature in that same respect, however the curse of our higher intelligence makes us uniquely susceptible to another chaotic violence: Difference of opinion and belief. Mankind however, has taken this beastly chaos and escalated it to vast and complicated geopolitical complexes far beyond the comparatively petty squabble between the wolf and the hare. In short then, our capability for advanced thought spawns unassailable conflict between opposing ideas, and no conflict in recent history is able to portray this tension like the cold war, where the ideologies of the western world clashed with those of the east with little to no direct conflict, due to the potential for mutually assured destruction. Within this grand conflict, the Berlin Crisis of 1961 was an episode which saw the highest tension of the entire war. Soviet and American tanks faced off at the border of East and West Berlin. The photographic image of this event revealed a number of elements which supported and established not only the historical event photographed, but also an element of the human condition. Our higher intelligence allows us to form individual opinions, and group together with others who revere similar ideologies. As a result of this division, a lack of acceptance for opposing ideas is borne simply of our innate inability to accept others. When scaled to a global level, this inability causes conflict between differing ideologies. Therefore, three distinct contextual elements are deployed by this image to establish a greater understanding of the human condition. 

The first and most blatant element in the image is the subject: The tanks. Two opposing columns of these fighting vehicles stand prepared to fire at one another with only a thin stretch between them. Tanks are undeniably symbols of war. They have only one purpose: Efficient and systematic killing of opposing individuals. These vehicles were designed in the hatred and cruelty of the first world war, a conflict which saw such unbelievable loss of life in the cruelest, inhumane and twisted methods. They were born of hate and used for the exclusive purpose of killing, they have no other design. Most countries do not possess the wealth or technology to deploy these vehicles, so their mutual deployment on this would be field of battle illustrates the wealth, prosperity, and dedication to defense both opposing countries have. It is clear how this element contributes to the greater meaning of the visual text. Two technologically advanced weapons of war stare each other down from opposing territories. One column of tanks stands ready in West Berlin, the champion of democracy and capitalism, whereas the other column of tanks stands fast across the border in East Berlin, a model city for communism. The difference of opinion between two distinct communities boils down to machines of war standing at the ready to annihilate one another should there be a need other than paranoia or hatred. In the context of the cold war, people in both the USSR and the United States, separated only by a difference of belief, had a profound and unjustified fear and hatred for one another which resulted in over 50 years of paranoia rash action. 

The second and perhaps understated element is the border between the two ideologies. Berlin was separated into two halves after the second world war, with the Soviet Union occupying the east and the allies occupying the west. While the tanks featured in the image are representative of the tension between the opposing ideologies, the border itself represents the division between them. Typically, without a division, there is no clear difference in opinion or thought, and thereby an inability to generate the conflict mankind is uniquely capable of. It is therefore important to consider the division between the two worlds, as lack thereof would in all likelihood prohibit any generation of conflict. A blatant lack of space, also known as no man’s land stands between the two superpowers. It is the defined division between the east and the west. More infamously it was known as the berlin wall. Clearly written in multiple languages are the words, “You are leaving the American sector”. Clearly then, the division is not simply physical, but rather political and social. Finally, flags stand on either side’s border as physical manifestations of nationalism and opposing beliefs, which only further entrench the division between the two sides. All of these details combine to form the sole element of division within the visual text, which as mentioned previously defines clearly a difference in belief and opinions. If you scale this up to a political level, it is considered a difference in ideology. 

The third element which supports the purpose of the text is the demeanor of the individuals presented in the text. On either side of the border, stand civilians and soldiers alike. While the tanks aim their guns at one another, many of the officers and civilians pictured simply stand relaxed and watching the spectacle. This demeanor is symbolic of normal life within the conflict. While politically and idealistically the two sides stand opposed and ready for war, the civilian population does not. The berlin crisis lasted for several days, far too long for life to simply cease. As time passed, the soldiers standing guard and the civilian population generally became more relaxed and less eager. The visual text portrays several officers and civilians watching the conflict and moving freely. Furthermore, the photo is shot from above, much in the same way someone would view a game at a stadium. This then simply is representative of how this daunting potential for war simply became a reality of life which people naturally adjust to. We live in much the same way today. When you board a plane, you realize that there is a potent threat from radical Islamic terrorists. However, this is merely an aspect of modern life and not nearly significant enough for us to inconvenience ourselves by not utilizing travel by airplane. On a deeper level however, this is a final tie to the human condition. This collected coolness displayed by average civilians establishes a revelation: That division and conflict between opposing ideas is as natural to mankind as eating or drinking. If this sort of conflict had not been of human nature, the scene would have been very different. People would be in mass panic. However, as violent conflict between opposing ideas is so entrenched in our nature, it is even endorsed by our political system. The conflict comes as no surprise then to the mass of people viewing this conflict. Therefore, it is undeniable to relate conflict between opposing ideas to be ingrained in the human condition. 

In conclusion, the photograph of the Berlin Crisis in 1961 was not only documentation of a historical event, but also a nod to the human condition. Three elements, contextual in nature, are deployed by the photo to establish three distinct themes to support this central idea. The berlin wall establishes the division between ideologies, the tanks establish the conflict between opposing ideologies, and the collective calm of the people viewing establishes how this concept is ingrained into human nature. Mankind then is uniquely burdened with higher intelligence and as a result of which, is uniquely burdened with problems. So long as humans continue to slew about the earth, conflict between opposing ideas will never disappear. 

Works Cited

Stivers, Don. Stand Off at Checkpoint Charlie. 9 Nov. 1961. Berlin, Germany.