During the Cold War, in order to prevent its population from fleeing East Berlin into West Berlin which had been ruled by major Western Allies, the German Democratic Republic built a wall. It divided the city of Berlin into two zones
Map location
It is located in the middle of Berlin.
First Stages
Late at night in August 13th, 1961 while most Berliners were asleep. The German Democratic Republic built fences and barriers to seal off the entry points from East Berlin into the West. It took around two months from start to finish of the building of the wall.
Changes to the wall overtime
The original wall, built of barbed wire and cinder blocks, was subsequently replaced by a series of concrete walls that were topped with barbed wire and guarded with watchtowers.
Life in east berlin because of the wall
A vast majority of East Germans experienced opposition and injustice. They faced imprisonment for any type of crime committed against the state.
Features of the wall
The barrier included guard towers placed along large concrete walls, accompanied by a wide area (later known as the "Death Strip") that contained anti-vehicle trenches, and other defenses.
Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie was a symbol of the Cold War, it had represented the separation of the East and West sides of Berlin. Checkpoint Charlie was named by the Western Allies.
President kennedy's visit
On June 26, 1963, President John F. Kennedy delivered a speech that electrified an adoring crowd gathered in the shadow of the Berlin Wall.
Attempts to get to the other side:
Between the years of 1961 and 1989 a huge quantity of East Germans attempted a dangerous trek across the border. Around 140 citizens died trying to cross the border, but over 5,000 citizens were able to make it across.
