20.1.12

The Berlin Wall

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The Berlin Wall

On the 12th August 1961, the USSR (Soviet Union) began to build the Berlin Wall.

Avoiding war

Avoiding war

  • British, French and American troops stayed in West Berlin, even after Soviet orders for foreign troops to leave.
  • The USSR used the building of the wall to show strength without starting a war.
The Wall

The Wall

  • The Berlin Wall began as a fence and then became a heavy border wall designed to stop the flow of people from East Berlin to West Berlin.
  • By October 1961, West Berlin was entirely shut off from East Germany.
Crossing the Wall

Crossing the Wall

  • West Berlin became a contrast to East Berlin and a symbol of freedom.
  • Crossing the wall was not allowed and 200 people were killed trying to cross the border.
  • Foreigners were allowed to cross over to East Berlin through Checkpoint Charlie.
Responses of the USSR

Responses of the USSR

  • West Berlin remained under Allied control and this made it harder for the Soviets to control all of East Germany.
Responses of the West

Responses of the West

  • The Western Powers did not think that the Wall was a good idea, but agreed that it was better than war.
  • This was a propaganda victory for the West and the USA.
    • The need to build a wall to stop East Germans moving to West Berlin was embarrassing for the Soviet Union.
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Empires East & West: 1000 AD

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