Berlin Wall
Berlin Builders
Have you ever wondered why the Berlin Wall was put up? Well if so, today is your day! On August 13, 1961 the Berlin Wall was put up--over night.
The wall was put up to stop refugees from flooding to the West side of Berlin. The leader of Berlin wanted full control so the East Germans put a wall up. They put up this wall over night so that no one knew about it.
November 9,1989, The day the Berlin Wall was smashed into smithereens
This is a map of the Berlin Wall
During Berlin times many families were split up
"Hello From the West Side"
Another reason people tried escaping is because they were just tired of being so controlled. Some people dug u tunnel. The first person to escape East Berlin jumped like a kangaroo and flew to the other side just two days after the wall was put up when it was only 3 feet high! Because of his success many people tried escaping too.
Another way people tried to escape was swimming the Spree which was a river. They were either shot in the back or drounded. It was very unlikely that anyone would escape by swimming. If the Stasi thought you pulled a crime you would go to jail. But it wasn't that simple, they would shoot, slap, some people didn't even make it through that. Gerta, in A Night Divided is only about 13 years old and the Stasi thinks she's guilty because she's the daughter of Aldous Lowe.
The most famous way of escaping was Checkpoint Charlie.
One by One
Imagine being forced to do something you didn't want to do and were killed for trying!
From 1961 to 1989 2.5 million people died!
Imagine living in a world where just believing you could be free was considered a crime. Just think about it, most kids don't understand how lucky we are! We live in a free country, we have food, the majority of us have a home and a family and great education! Be thankful.
Common Berlin sayings from A Night Divided
Freedom lies in being bold.
Who shows others courage encourages others.
In the midddle of difficulty lies opportunity.
Who risks nothing, wins nothing.
A thought, even a possibility, can shatter and transform us.
Fear...was the most powerful weapon possessed by the Stasi.
There are no dangerous thoughts;thinking itself is dangerous