Berlin Wall

After WWII, Germany was split into two territories.  West Berlin was controlled by a democratic system, while East Berlin was communist and controlled by the Soviet Union.  In August, 1961 the Berlin wall was built.  "The border between West Berlin and East Berlin and the GDR had a total length of 166 km, and there was a deeply staggered system of barriers. There was a wall with a length of 107 km at this border. Finally, the border area looked about as follows: First, there was a wall which was made up of concrete segments with a height of 4 m, usually with a concrete tube on top of it. Behind it (at the "eastern" side) there was an illuminated control area (also called death area). Refugees who had reached that area were shot without warning. A trench followed which should prevent vehicles from breaking through. Then there was a patrol track, a corridor with watchdogs, watchtowers and bunkers, and a second wall." Life for citizens in East Berlin was extremely hard.  Families were separated and not allowed to see one another. Anyone who attempted to climb over the wall and escape was shot. Many attempts failed and hundreds were killed.  "West Germany set up a capitalist society and experienced such a rapid growth of their economy that it became known as the "economic miracle." With hard work, individuals living in West Germany were able to live well, buy gadgets and appliances, and to travel as they wished." On November 9th, 1989 the berlin wall fell.  East Berlin and West Berlin had come to an agreement and families separated by the wall were free to come and go as they pleased.  People used hammers and picks to tear down the wall. Thousands flocked to help tear down the wall to be reunited with their families.



http://userpage.chemie.fu-berlin.de/BIW/wall.html

http://novaonline.nvcc.edu/eli/evans/his135/Events/berlinwall61.htm

http://www.history.com/topics/berlin-wall