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The Berlin Wall - Coggle Diagram
The Berlin Wall
What was the impact on the Germans?
Lack of freedom
Separation of families
Put their lives in danger to escape
Lack of travel and communication
Unstable government and resources
How was the wall built? How did it work?
Construction on the wall began on the 13th August 1961 and was originally 27 miles long separating the two zones
The USA and Allies did nothing to stop the building of the wall because it was built in the Eastern side of Berlin where they had no control
It only took a few more days before the wall was solicited and fortified with the zone between the two sectors becoming a death zone.
The total length of the wall was 96 miles with a 3.6m concrete wall and 41 miles of wire mesh fencing
What was the crisis in Berlin?
The Berlin crisis evolved from the separation of Berlin into two parts, half to the Western powers (USA) and half to the Eastern powers (USSR)
The USSR realised that too many of their skilled workers were leaving to join the welcoming Western side so decided to build a wall to prevent the citizens from leaving
The wall led to an increase in tension as many people tried to escape and were often mercilessly killed by the USSR soldiers
How did relations worsen between USA and USSR from 1958-61
On the 1st May, the Russians shot down a U2 spy plane and captured the pilot, Gary Powers.
The Americans claimed that this was a weather plane but soon had to admit that it was a spy place
Because of this, many future meetings were cancelled.
The Paris meeting collapsed and there was not Test Ban Treaty
There was no discussion about the problem of Berlin
The incident helped JFK to win the Presidency in November 1960 because it was seen as a defeat for the USA
What was the impact on the Superpowers and international relations?
Weakened relations between the two powers as they now blocked each other from one another
West Berlin originally benefited from the increase in skilled workers moving over from East Berlin
JFK visited Berlin in 1963 and made a speech claiming that he was a Berliner
How did people try to escape East Berlin
The main method of escape was through tunnels. The largest escape through a tunnel was 57 people from East to West Berlin.
The first person to be shot on the wall was Peter Fechter. He was shot in the back by GDR Border Guards and fell to the floor. He was left to bleed to death before being dragged away an hour later
A 19-year-old East Berlin guard Schumann jumped over the barbed wire after being encouraged by the West Berliners to 'Komm' ruber!'
Who was to blame for the building of the wall? Could it have been avoided?
Who 'benefitted' most from the wall?
Was the wall a propaganda disaster for the USSR