Berlin wall Flashcards
When did construction begin?
August 13 1961
Why was the wall built?
By 1961 3.5m people had migrated from East Germany–> West
Many were skilled workers who contributed most to E.Germany’s economy + bc they were leaving the economy was declining
Berlin wall
Building of the wall went on for a decade
Symbolised the division of East Germany from the world
Watch towers put in place w guards, 100m death strip
138+ died whilst trying to escape
Global symbol of communist repression
Significance
-A symbol of cold war tension
-Helped stabilise East Germany’s economy as it prevented skilled workers from leaving
-Helped avoid nuclear confrontation over the issue of Berlin
-Wall was a better alternative to war
Consequences
June 1963:
-Kennedy made a speech to Berliners where he declared ‘all free men, wherever they may live are citizens of Berlin’
-He claimed Krushchev had offered the US the finest propaganda tool
-Was a propaganda victory for US- if communism was so great why did they have to prevent people from leaving
-West somewhat recognised the GDR
