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The Berlin Wall. Behind a Curtain of Concrete. Cold War. After WWII, Allies split Germany into 4 sectors France, US, and UK administered their sectors jointly USSR forced Communism on the people of their sector. 1961: Beginning the Wall. Built to divide Berlin. DIVIDES EAST FROM WEST.
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The Berlin Wall Behind a Curtain of Concrete
Cold War • After WWII, Allies split Germany into 4 sectors • France, US, and UK administered their sectors jointly • USSR forced Communism on the people of their sector
DIVIDES EAST FROM WEST • The wall divided families, businesses, and friends • No Germans were allowed to cross between sectors in the early days • Only US, UK, French, and USSR citizens could travel, and that was restricted
THE BERLIN AIRLIFT • USSR closed supply lines to West Berlin • In response, the Allies used airplanes to drop food and other goods to the West Berliners • A few American pilots began to drop packets of candy for the children of Berlin
A symbol of unity, shadowed by separation, the Brandenburg Gate.
A decade later, looking from West to East Berlin through the Brandenburg gate.
STATS AND FIGURES • 66 miles long; 11.81 feet high. Total border is 96 miles long. • 302 Total Watch Towers • 239 people killed ON the wall • Over 500 injured by shooting • 3200 arrested attempting to escape • Dozens of East German guards escaped at first, until finally Russians were made guards
Checkpoint Charlie • 1 of 3 Checkpoints between the allied sectors and USSR sector (Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie). • Actually a major street, it’s real name is Friedrichstrasse (or Frederick Street). • Checkpoint Charlie became the symbol of the tensions between East and West during the Cold War
Checkpoint Charlie, 1974 • Tensions rose amongst the former allies • Cold War was heating up • It appeared as if Germany would never reunite.
A RAY OF HOPE Ronald Reagan And Mikhail Gorbachev
DISAGREEMENT • Ronnie and Gorby argued • BUT…they knew they had to strike a deal • So…
THEY WORKED • Gorbachev’s openness (glasnost) led to reforms in USSR • US/USSR relations began to improve
PEACEFUL PROTESTS Protests begin throughout the Soviet Bloc; including Leipzig and East Berlin. These peaceful protests became known as “Die Wende,” the wind, that swept away the Communist threat.
11+5=1 • The East and West Berliners celebrate • Communism loses its hold on people throughout Europe • Families, cultures, businesses, and a people are reunited
Reunification! Since Reunification, Germany has worked its way back to become the 3rd largest world economy, and a leader in the European Union.
Though their goal was accomplished, the world still must press on…notice the background.
Created by Brock A. BeaverWestview Middle SchoolDecember, 2003