The Berlin Wall
A Separation Barrier
What was the Berlin Wall?
The Berlin Wall was a concrete and wire fence separating East Berlin, which was under Soviet control, and West Berlin, which was under Allied control. It was 12 feet high and 96 miles long. There were guard towers placed along the length of the wall. The first wall was barbed wire. The concrete part was added later. Construction began on the wall August 13, 1961. It was completed in 1975.
Life Behind the Wall
The people living in the German Democratic Republic (GDR)/Soviet-controlled East Berlin were under communist rule. Their lives were not pleasant. There was little room for living and food was scarce. Jobs were hard to come by. The government was very strict and in control. This caused people to run away. The wall was built to keep the East Berliners from escaping to the West.
Map of East and West Berlin
Soldier Jumping Barbed Wire Fence
Construction
The Berlin Wall fell on November 9, 1989. It was demolished over time.
Works Cited
http://berlin-wall.org/bilder/b_mur5.jpg Berlin Wall Picture
http://www.travelinsurancereview.net/Travel-Facts/rise-fall-berlin-wall.html Information
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Wall Encyclopedia Article
http://www.dailysoft.com/berlinwall/maps/berlinwallmap_02.htm Picture 2
http://www.berlin-life.com/berlin/wall Information
http://www.berlin-life.com/berlin/wall Pictures 3-4
http://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/berlin-wall3.htm Pictures 5-6
http://www.travelinsurancereview.net/Travel-Facts/rise-fall-berlin-wall.html Information
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Wall Encyclopedia Article
http://www.dailysoft.com/berlinwall/maps/berlinwallmap_02.htm Picture 2
http://www.berlin-life.com/berlin/wall Information
http://www.berlin-life.com/berlin/wall Pictures 3-4
http://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/berlin-wall3.htm Pictures 5-6