The Berlin Wall
History: KS3, topic 20.1.12
The Berlin Wall
On the 12th August 1961, the USSR (Soviet Union) began to build the Berlin Wall.
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 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
- 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
- West Berlin remained under Allied control and this made it harder for the Soviets to control all of East Germany.
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.
Test yourself on The Berlin Wall
When did the construction of the Berlin Wall begin?